Buying a Home in Quebec: What Is Different (Notary, Welcome Tax, 2026 Costs)
Quebec uses a notary under civil law, bills the welcome tax months after closing, and taxes CMHC premiums at 9%. What a $680,000 Montréal purchase really costs.
Four things. Quebec is a civil-law province, so a notary rather than a lawyer prepares and registers the deed of sale, and one notary usually acts for both sides. The transfer tax (the welcome tax) is not collected at closing. It's billed by the municipality two to three months later instead. Quebec charges 9% sales tax on the mortgage insurance premium, the highest in Canada. And the standard purchase documents (the promesse d'achat and the déclaration du vendeur) are prescribed forms with their own conventions. On a $680,000 Montréal condo with 10% down, a buyer needs about $73,600 in cash at the notary and another $8,949 when the welcome tax bill arrives.
Figures come from the CostToClose guided buying flow.
Cash at the notary: $680,000 Montréal condo, 10% down
| Item | Amount | Rule or estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $68,000 | — |
| CMHC premium (3.10% of $612,000) | $18,972, added to mortgage | Rule |
| Quebec tax on the premium (9%) | $1,707 | Rule |
| Notary fees and disbursements | $1,400 | Estimate |
| Title insurance (optional in Quebec; many lenders require) | $425 | Estimate |
| Status certificate (syndicate document review in Quebec — condos skip the house-style inspection) | $110 | Estimate |
| Adjustments (municipal and school taxes, condo fees) | $780 | Estimate |
| Certificate of location, if the seller's is out of date | $0 to $1,200 | Estimate |
| Cash at closing | ≈ $72,400 to $73,600 | |
| Welcome tax, billed 2–3 months later | $8,949 | Rule |
| Total | ≈ $81,400 to $82,600 |
This example was computed with the CostToClose calculator, 14 September 2026. Reproduce this.
The notary
Quebec notaries are legal professionals who draft the deed of sale, search title, receive the funds in trust, pay out the seller and the seller's lender, and register the deed at the Registre foncier. The buyer normally chooses and pays the notary, and the seller pays the discharge of their own mortgage. Fees for a straightforward residential purchase run $1,200 to $2,000 including disbursements. Because the same notary acts for both parties, they are neutral: if you want someone advocating for you, that is a separate lawyer.
The welcome tax
Droits sur les mutations immobilières, charged by the municipality on the greater of price and adjusted assessment, on indexed brackets: 0.5% to $62,900, 1% to $315,000, 1.5% to $500,000. Above $500,000 each municipality sets its own rate (max 3%), with Montréal's own higher brackets above $552,300. Since 2026 there is a refundable provincial credit for first-time buyers (up to $5,875, phasing out between $750,000 and $1 million). The bill arrives after registration, payable within 30 days. See Quebec's welcome tax explained.
Other Quebec specifics
- Two property tax bills. Municipal and school taxes are billed separately; both are adjusted at closing.
- Certificate of location. A surveyor's document showing the building on the lot; the seller must supply a current one, and a new one costs $800 to $1,500 if it is stale.
- Co-ownership (condo). Divided co-ownership has a syndicat, contingency fund and, since 2020, mandatory building-condition studies phased in. Ask for the financial statements, minutes and the fund balance. Undivided co-ownership (common in Montréal plexes) is a different legal structure that many lenders will not finance at less than 20% down.
- New construction. GST 5% plus QST 9.975%, each with its own partial rebate for homes under about $450,000 ($350,000 for full QST rebate); first-time buyers can now recover the full federal GST on new homes up to $1 million.
- Language. Deeds are drafted in French unless both parties request otherwise; the notary will explain in English on request.
- Legal hypothec of construction. Contractors unpaid within 30 days of work can register a claim against the property; the notary's title search covers this.
Monthly costs after closing
Same condo, 4.49% five-year fixed, 25 years:
| Item | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Mortgage payment on $630,972 | $3,489 |
| Municipal and school taxes (estimate ~0.75% of value) | ≈ $425 |
| Condo fees (estimate) | ≈ $350 |
| Insurance (estimate) | ≈ $110 |
| Total | ≈ $4,375 |
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a lawyer to buy a house in Quebec?
No — a notary. Quebec notaries handle the entire conveyance, including title search, funds and registration. The buyer usually chooses and pays the notary.
When is the welcome tax paid in Quebec?
Two to three months after closing, when the municipality issues the bill. It is not collected by the notary and must be paid within 30 days of the bill.
Is there a first-time buyer program in Quebec?
No provincial welcome tax rebate. Montréal's home-ownership program refunds part of the welcome tax for eligible households; federal programs (FHSA, Home Buyers' Plan, GST rebate) apply as everywhere.
How much are notary fees in Quebec?
Typically $1,200 to $2,000 including disbursements for a residential purchase; more for undivided co-ownership or complex title.
Is PST charged on mortgage insurance in Quebec?
Yes, 9%, paid at the notary. On an $18,972 premium that is $1,707.
Sources
- Chambre des notaires du Québec, buying a property — checked 14 Sept 2026
- Gouvernement du Québec, Droits sur les mutations immobilières (2026 brackets); Ville de Montréal 2026 schedule — checked 14 Sept 2026
- Revenu Québec, tax on insurance premiums (9%) — checked 14 Sept 2026
- Revenu Québec, GST/QST new housing rebates — checked 14 Sept 2026
- CMHC, mortgage loan insurance premiums — checked 14 Sept 2026
This is general information for Canadian home buyers and sellers, checked against the sources listed above on the date shown, and it is not legal, tax, or mortgage advice. Rules and rates change, so confirm current figures with your lawyer or notary, your lender, or the government office that administers the tax before relying on them.