Real Estate Speculation and the Housing Crisis

On October 26, 2026, Me Yves Joli-Cœur, a lawyer specializing in co-ownership law and a partner at Dunton Rainville, as well as President of the provincial Regroupement des gestionnaires et copropriétaires du Québec (RGCQ), appeared on Radio-Canada’s 24·60, hosted by Anne-Marie Dussault. At the heart of the discussion were speculative practices in the real estate market, excessive rent increases, and the need to better protect tenants while preserving the quality of Quebec’s housing stock.

His appearance followed an investigative report by Radio-Canada’s Enquête examining certain real estate influencers and the strategies used to maximize the profitability of rental properties, sometimes at the expense of vulnerable individuals.

Artificially Inflated Rents with Real Consequences

According to Me Joli-Cœur, these practices are unfortunately nothing new. For decades, he has observed strategies designed to artificially increase rental income in order to boost a property's value and resell it at a profit.

The issue goes beyond rental prices alone. When rental income is inflated beyond its actual value, prospective buyers and financial institutions may be misled. New owners may then discover that the projected profitability does not reflect reality, potentially compromising building maintenance.

Me Joli-Cœur also emphasized that a tenant's consent to a substantial rent increase does not necessarily make it legitimate, particularly when that consent is obtained through misrepresentation or in circumstances involving vulnerability.

Strengthening Market Regulations to Curb Speculation

Among the potential solutions discussed during the interview, Me Joli-Cœur emphasized two key measures:

• Establishing a rent registry to provide greater transparency regarding a unit's rental history and access to information on previous rental rates.

• Introducing a mandatory maintenance logbook for rental buildings to document completed work and promote rigorous, sustainable management of the housing stock.

In his view, these tools would help distinguish property owners who genuinely invest in their buildings from those primarily seeking to maximize profits through speculative practices.

He pointed out that rent increases can be justified by legitimate expenses, particularly when repairs or improvements are necessary. However, artificially inflating a building's rental income without investing in its maintenance risks accelerating its deterioration over the long term.

Housing Quality: A Collective Responsibility

Beyond rent increases, Me Joli-Cœur stressed that housing conditions and building maintenance must remain central to discussions surrounding the housing crisis. Poorly maintained buildings have lasting consequences for tenants and may eventually require costly public intervention.

Drawing on his experience contributing to legislative reforms in co-ownership law, he advocated for stronger oversight of the real estate market. The objective is to hold property owners accountable, limit abusive practices, and prevent the costs associated with the deterioration of privately owned buildings from ultimately being borne by society as a whole.

Me Joli-Cœur's message is clear: combating real estate speculation requires more than isolated measures targeting rents. It also calls for greater transparency, stronger maintenance obligations, and mechanisms that encourage responsible, sustainable property management.

Watch Me Yves Joli-Cœur's appearance on Radio-Canada's 24·60 (RDI), broadcast on October 26, 2026: