Un quartier résidentiel typique de Drummondville.
1. Overview
~$800 to $1,100 for a 4½.
The city is experiencing sustained population growth — active rental demand and new developments.
2. Main neighbourhoods
- Downtown — apartments near shops
- Saint-Charles (rue Lindsay) — residential, families
- Saint-Joseph, Saint-Pierre — recent developments
- Saint-Nicéphore — more rural peripheral area
3. The standard lease
All leases use the official form from the Tribunal administratif du logement. Standard period: July 1 to June 30.
4. Buying in Drummondville
The buying market is more accessible than in Montreal or Quebec City. Budget around $350,000 to $450,000 for a single-family home in an established sector, more in the new Saint-Joseph or Saint-Pierre developments.
A pre-purchase inspection by a professional is essentially mandatory in practice — the report costs $500 to $800 and can reveal defects that completely change the negotiation.
5. Costs beyond the rent
The advertised rent isn't your full monthly cost. In Quebec, electricity is almost always paid by the tenant — Hydro-Québec bills directly, and the bill varies significantly with the season due to electric heating.
Budget $60 to $100/month in summer and $150 to $250 in winter for a 4½, depending on the building's insulation. Hot water may or may not be included — check before signing. Internet is never included: expect about $60 to $80/month. Tenant insurance costs $20 to $35/month and isn't legally required, but most landlords require it in the lease.
6. Typical rents by unit type
The Drummondville rental market is easier to read by unit type than by sector. The standard Quebec format counts rooms by halves: a 3½ has one bedroom, a 4½ two, a 5½ three.
These ranges correspond to semi-furnished or unfurnished units in established sectors like downtown and Saint-Charles. In the newer Saint-Joseph and Saint-Pierre developments, the same formats can cost $100 to $200 more per month due to build quality. In Saint-Nicéphore, on the outskirts, rents drop slightly but transport costs rise.
| Type | Typical rent | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| 3½ — 1 bedroom | ~$650-850 | Single person, young couple |
| 4½ — 2 bedrooms | ~$800-1,100 | Couple, small family |
| 5½ — 3 bedrooms | ~$1,100-1,500 | Family with children |
| 6½ or house | ~$1,400-2,000 | Large family |
| Studio / 1½ | ~$550-750 | Student, short stay |
7. Where to search for listings
In Drummondville, most rental listings are found online:
- Kijiji and Pages Jaunes — classics, still widely used.
- Facebook Marketplace — central for direct listings without commission.
- Local Facebook groups like « Logement à louer Drummondville » — fast access to new listings, sometimes hours before other platforms.
- Office municipal d'habitation de Drummondville — for low-rent housing (HLM).
- Local postings — still present in neighbourhood grocery windows and Maisons de la famille boards.
Visit quickly: the good apartments often go in under 48 hours. If possible, ask for a viewing at the first call rather than sending multiple emails.
8. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from new Drummondville residents about housing: whether you need a good credit score to rent, whether landlords can ask for a security deposit, who pays for snow removal and landscaping, and whether a credit check is required before signing.
Do you need a good Canadian credit score to rent in Drummondville?
Not strictly. Many Drummondville landlords are open to newcomers without a Canadian credit history, especially in less competitive sectors like Saint-Nicéphore or older buildings downtown.
Compensate with: an employer letter, three to six months of pay stubs or proof of savings, and a reference from a previous landlord — even in your country of origin counts. The further you target a high-demand new development, the more the credit check matters.
Can the landlord require a security deposit?
No. Quebec law forbids security deposits and key deposits beyond the first month's rent paid in advance. The Tribunal administratif du logement is very clear on this: any sum demanded for damages, cleaning, or as a key deposit is illegal and refundable.
The landlord can ask for a credit check or references, but no amount beyond the first month. If a landlord insists on a deposit, walk away — it's an important red flag.
Who pays for snow removal and landscaping?
It depends on the unit type and what the lease says. In a typical rented apartment in a multi-unit building, snow removal of common areas and landscaping are included in the rent — the landlord pays.
In a rented house or duplex, the lease often makes the tenant responsible for clearing the driveway and entrance. Always read the relevant clauses before signing. In Drummondville, the snow season runs from late November to mid-March, and a private snow-removal contract typically costs $400 to $700 for the season.
How long does an application for low-rent housing (HLM) take?
Long — typically several months to several years depending on demand. The Office municipal d'habitation de Drummondville manages the local waiting list. Eligibility depends on income, household size and status as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Plan to provide proof of income, ID and family composition. The HLM is not a first-line solution for newcomers in their first year; consider it a longer-term option once your status and income stabilize.
9. See also
To go further on settling in Drummondville:
- Read signing a lease in Quebec to break down each clause of the official form before signing.
- Check getting around Drummondville to target a sector near a bus or Autoroute 20.
- Prepare moving in with first steps in Drummondville for SANA and 311.
10. Official sources
Author's Note: Prepare your viewings ahead and be ready to sign quickly when you find the right unit. Concretely: have your ID, a reference letter from your employer or previous landlord, and the contact details of a reference person at hand — these three documents suffice for the majority of landlords.
