Thomas Lymburner
Buying a plex in Gatineau: duplexes, triplexes and 2026 rules
Updated: · By Thomas Lymburner, residential real estate broker, RE/MAX Direct
In Q2 2026, the median price of a 2- to 5-unit plex in the Gatineau CMA was $599,600, across 171 sales (QPAREB). Thomas Lymburner, residential real estate broker with RE/MAX Direct, works with buyers of duplexes and triplexes, whether they want to live in one unit and rent out the others or buy as an investment. Here are the financing and rental rules to know.
Plex prices in Gatineau
| Property type (Gatineau CMA, Q2 2026) | Sales | Median price |
|---|---|---|
| Plex (2 to 5 units) | 171 | $599,600 |
| Condominium | 457 | $308,000 |
| Single-family home | — | $523,500 |
Source: QPAREB, Gatineau CMA residential market barometer, Q2 2026, via the Centris system.
Down payment: owner-occupied or not
Under CMHC rules, if you live in one unit, the minimum down payment is 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the rest for a 1- or 2-unit property, and 10% for a 3- or 4-unit property. For a 2- to 4-unit property you do not live in, CMHC requires at least 20%.
| $600,000 example | Minimum down payment |
|---|---|
| Duplex you live in | $35,000 |
| Triplex or fourplex you live in | $60,000 |
| 2- to 4-unit plex you do not live in | $120,000 |
Using rental income to qualify
For an owner-occupied plex, CMHC allows lenders to count rental income: up to 100% of gross rental income for a duplex, and up to 50% of gross income (or a net-income approach) for a triplex or fourplex. The stress test still applies: the higher of 5.25% or the negotiated rate plus 2%. Each lender has its own criteria.
Buying a plex with tenants: TAL rules
In Quebec, existing leases follow the property: when you buy a plex, you become the landlord of the tenants already in place, under the same conditions. Here are some Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) rules to know before buying:
Before making an offer, ask for the leases, rent history and property expenses.
- Rent increases: the landlord and tenant agree, and the TAL sets the rent if they do not. A new calculation method has applied since 2026; the base percentage is 3.1% for leases starting between April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027.
- Repossession: the owner can take back a unit to live in it or house their children, parents or certain relatives they support, with at least 6 months' notice before the end of a lease longer than 6 months. The tenant has one month to respond; if they refuse or do not respond, the owner must apply to the TAL.
- Older tenants: repossession is prohibited if the tenant or their spouse is aged 65 or older, has occupied the unit for at least 10 years and has income equal to or below 125% of the maximum income for low-rent housing, subject to exceptions (for example, if the owner is also aged 65 or older).
- Evictions: a law adopted on June 6, 2024 prohibits evicting a tenant for three years to subdivide, enlarge or change a unit's use. Outside this period, an eviction entitles the tenant to one month's rent per year of occupancy, between 3 and 24 months, plus reasonable moving expenses.
Welcome tax on a plex
The welcome tax also applies to plexes. In Gatineau, it is $8,610.50 in 2026 for a $600,000 plex. If this is your first purchase and you live in one unit, you may qualify for Revenu Québec's home ownership access tax credit.
Frequently asked questions
$599,600 for a 2- to 5-unit plex in the Gatineau CMA in Q2 2026, across 171 sales, according to QPAREB.
Under CMHC rules, 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the rest: $35,000 for a $600,000 duplex. For an owner-occupied triplex or fourplex it's 10%, and for a 2- to 4-unit plex you don't live in, at least 20%.
Yes. For an owner-occupied plex, CMHC allows up to 100% of a duplex's gross rental income, and up to 50% for a triplex or fourplex (or a net income approach).
Yes, to live in it or house certain relatives, with at least 6 months' notice before the lease ends. If the tenant refuses or doesn't answer within a month, the owner must apply to the Tribunal administratif du logement. Protections apply to tenants aged 65 or older.
There's no fixed cap: the landlord and tenant agree, and the TAL sets the rent if they don't. Under the new calculation method, the base percentage is 3.1% for leases starting between April 2, 2026 and April 1, 2027.
Sources
QPAREB, Q2 2026 · CMHC, purchase (owner-occupied) · CMHC, rental income · CMHC, income properties · TAL, rent increase calculation · TAL, repossession · TAL, eviction · Ville de Gatineau, welcome tax
This guide summarizes public rules and doesn't replace advice from a financial advisor, lender or notary.