Quebec Real Estate Commission
The standard real estate commission in Quebec is 5% of the home sale price, using a flat-rate structure similar to Ontario. The total commission is split between the listing broker (courtier inscripteur) and the cooperating broker (courtier collaborateur), typically 2.5% each.
What sets Quebec apart from other provinces:
- Highest taxes on commission — GST (5%) + QST (9.975%) = 14.975% combined tax rate, the highest in Canada
- Strong FSBO culture — DuProprio is a major platform and a well-recognized brand in Quebec, offering a real alternative to traditional commission structures
- Distinct regulatory framework — Quebec’s real estate industry is regulated by the Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ), separate from all other provinces
- Welcome Tax — Quebec charges a taxe de bienvenue (welcome tax / mutation transfer duty) on purchases, which sellers should understand for pricing strategy
How Quebec Real Estate Commission Is Calculated
Quebec uses a flat 5% commission on the full sale price:
Formula: Sale Price × 5% = Total Commission
| Sale Price | Commission (5%) | GST (5%) | QST (9.975%) | Total Tax | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $15,000 | $750 | $1,496 | $2,246 | $17,246 |
| $400,000 | $20,000 | $1,000 | $1,995 | $2,995 | $22,995 |
| $500,000 | $25,000 | $1,250 | $2,494 | $3,744 | $28,744 |
| $600,000 | $30,000 | $1,500 | $2,993 | $4,493 | $34,493 |
| $700,000 | $35,000 | $1,750 | $3,491 | $5,241 | $40,241 |
| $800,000 | $40,000 | $2,000 | $3,990 | $5,990 | $45,990 |
| $1,000,000 | $50,000 | $2,500 | $4,988 | $7,488 | $57,488 |
Important QST detail: Quebec’s QST (9.975%) is calculated on the commission amount alone, not on the commission plus GST. This differs from some provinces where HST applies as a single combined rate.
Quebec Commission by City and Region
| City / Region | Avg. Home Price (2025) | Typical Commission | Total with Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | ~$560,000 | ~$28,000 | ~$32,192 | Largest market; competitive |
| Laval | ~$520,000 | ~$26,000 | ~$29,894 | North Shore suburb |
| Longueuil (South Shore) | ~$480,000 | ~$24,000 | ~$27,594 | South Shore hub |
| Quebec City | ~$340,000 | ~$17,000 | ~$19,546 | Affordable capital city |
| Gatineau | ~$420,000 | ~$21,000 | ~$24,145 | Cross-border with Ottawa |
| Sherbrooke | ~$350,000 | ~$17,500 | ~$20,121 | Eastern Townships |
| Trois-Rivières | ~$280,000 | ~$14,000 | ~$16,097 | Central Quebec |
| Saguenay | ~$250,000 | ~$12,500 | ~$14,372 | Northern Quebec |
| Lévis | ~$340,000 | ~$17,000 | ~$19,546 | South of Quebec City |
| Drummondville | ~$310,000 | ~$15,500 | ~$17,821 | Centre-du-Québec |
| Rimouski | ~$250,000 | ~$12,500 | ~$14,372 | Eastern Quebec |
Montreal’s market is notably more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver, which means commission amounts are lower in absolute dollars. However, the 14.975% combined tax rate means Quebec sellers pay the highest proportional tax on commission in Canada.
The DuProprio Alternative
Quebec has the strongest For Sale By Owner culture in Canada, largely due to DuProprio (Du Propriétaire) — a Quebec-based company that has been operating since 1997.
How DuProprio Works
DuProprio offers packages for sellers who want to avoid the traditional 5% commission:
| Package Tier | Approximate Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $700–$1,000 | MLS-equivalent listing on DuProprio.com, professional photos |
| Standard | $1,000–$2,000 | Above + sign, virtual tour, expanded marketing |
| Premium | $2,000–$4,000 | Above + professional staging consultation, featured placement |
Savings example: On a $500,000 home, DuProprio at $2,000 saves approximately $26,744 compared to the traditional 5% commission + tax.
Considerations:
- DuProprio listings do not appear on Centris (Quebec’s MLS system), which means agents working with buyers may not present your property
- You handle all showings, negotiations, and paperwork (or can pay for additional services)
- DuProprio provides legal document templates and coaching but you are responsible for the transaction
- Approximately 20% of Quebec home sales are FSBO, among the highest rates in Canada
Centris vs. DuProprio
| Feature | Centris (with Agent) | DuProprio (FSBO) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 5% + tax (~$28,744 on $500K) | $1,000–$4,000 flat fee |
| MLS/Centris exposure | Yes | No (DuProprio website only) |
| Professional negotiation | Yes | You handle it |
| Legal documents | Agent provides | Templates provided |
| Market reach | All agents see listing | Buyers searching DuProprio |
| Average days on market | Typically faster | Typically slower for DuProprio |
How Quebec Commission Compares to Other Provinces
| Province | Commission on $500K | Tax Rate on Commission | Total with Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $25,000 | 14.975% (GST + QST) | $28,744 |
| Ontario | $25,000 | 13% (HST) | $28,250 |
| Nova Scotia | $25,000 | 15% (HST) | $28,750 |
| Manitoba | $25,000 | 5% (GST) + 7% RST on some services | ~$26,250 |
| Alberta | $19,000 | 5% (GST only) | $19,950 |
| British Columbia | $17,000 | 5% (GST only) | $17,850 |
| Saskatchewan | $18,000 | 5% (GST) + 6% PST | $19,980 |
Quebec has the second-highest total commission cost (after Nova Scotia at the same commission rate) due to its combined 14.975% tax rate. On a $500,000 sale, a Quebec seller pays nearly $11,000 more than an Alberta seller.
How to Reduce Commission Costs in Quebec
1. Use DuProprio or another FSBO platform
As described above, selling through DuProprio is the most common alternative. Other options include PurpleBricks-style flat-fee services.
2. Negotiate the commission rate
While 5% is standard, Quebec agents will negotiate, especially on properties over $600,000 or in high-demand Montreal neighbourhoods. Common negotiated rates:
- 4% — Split 2%/2% between agents; saves $5,749 including tax on a $500K home
- 3.5% listing + buyer’s agent bonus — Reduces the listing side while maintaining buyer agent incentive
3. Negotiate tax-inclusive commission
Ask the agent to quote a tax-inclusive commission so you know the exact total cost upfront. Some agents will absorb the tax within a slightly lower gross rate.
4. Consider a courtier à escompte (discount broker)
Several Quebec brokerages offer reduced-commission services while still listing on Centris. These typically charge 2%–3.5% total commission and provide basic listing services, photos, and Centris access.
Quebec Real Estate Regulation
Quebec’s real estate industry is regulated by the OACIQ (Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec) under the Real Estate Brokerage Act.
Key regulatory points:
- Commission rates are not regulated by OACIQ — they are negotiable.
- All commission details must be specified in the brokerage contract (contrat de courtage).
- Quebec does not use the term “listing agreement” — it uses contrat de courtage exclusif (exclusive brokerage contract) or contrat de courtage non exclusif.
- Quebec uses the Centris system (equivalent to MLS in other provinces), operated by the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB/APCIQ).
- The Declaration of the Seller (Déclaration du vendeur) is a mandatory disclosure form unique to Quebec that requires sellers to disclose known defects.
- Legal warranty (garantie légale): Quebec is the only province where sellers must provide a legal warranty against hidden defects unless explicitly excluded in the contract.
- Buyers and sellers may choose to be represented by a notary (notaire) rather than a lawyer for the closing, which is standard practice in Quebec.
Additional Costs When Selling a Home in Quebec
| Cost | Typical Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate commission | 5% of sale price | Plus GST (5%) and QST (9.975%) |
| Notary fees | $1,000–$2,000 | Required for closing in Quebec |
| Mortgage cancellation | $300–$1,000 | Notary fees to discharge mortgage |
| Certificate of location | $1,500–$2,000 | May be required; similar to AB’s RPR |
| Home staging | $1,500–$4,000 | Common in Montreal |
| Repairs / pre-sale prep | $500–$3,000 | Market-dependent |
| Moving costs | $1,000–$3,000 | Provincial |
| Capital gains tax | Varies | Federal + Quebec provincial; only if not principal residence |
Quebec-specific note: The certificat de localisation (certificate of location) is a surveyor’s document showing property boundaries and compliance. It is commonly required for a sale to close and is typically the seller’s responsibility. If yours is more than 10 years old, you will likely need a new one.
Worked Example: Selling a $560,000 Home in Montreal
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $560,000 |
| Remaining mortgage | -$280,000 |
| Commission (5%) | -$28,000 |
| GST on commission (5%) | -$1,400 |
| QST on commission (9.975%) | -$2,793 |
| Notary fees | -$1,500 |
| Certificate of location | -$1,800 |
| Mortgage cancellation | -$500 |
| Net proceeds to seller | $244,007 |
Total commission with tax: $32,193
Related Pages
- Real Estate Commission Calculator (All Provinces) — Compare rates across Canada
- Montreal Housing Market — Market conditions and trends
- Quebec Housing Market — Provincial overview
- Quebec Mortgage Rates — Today’s best rates
- Quebec Income Tax — Provincial tax brackets
- Quebec Sales Tax (GST + QST) — 14.975% combined rate
- Montreal Property Tax — Municipal tax rates
- How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make — Agent earnings