Budgeting rent
When figuring out whether you can afford a certain apartment’s rent, you should make sure to take into consideration other housing-related costs (e.g., power, internet and phone service).
Ideally, your family should not spend more than 30% of its gross income on these expenses, including rent.
Power
Winters in Quebec are cold! Your electricity bill will be more expensive in winter if you have Hydro-Québec electric heating.
You can ask your landlord how much the electricity bill has been in previous years for January, February and March to get a better idea of how much it might cost.
Poorly insulated apartments (with old windows, for example) have higher electricity bills in winter. You will also pay more for electricity in the summer if you have an air conditioning unit or system.