RénoPlex - Grants and Funding for Small Buildings in Montréal

Bad weather, poorly maintained buildings, evolving energy-related requirements… Those who have kept abreast of current events over the last few years know that many residential buildings in Montréal need renovation. For many small building owners, the financial aspect often prevents them from doing so. Luckily, grants like RénoPlex, available through the City of Montréal, are designed especially for citizens.

Below are just some of the questions we’ll cover in this article: 

• What are the eligibility requirements for the RénoPlex program?

• How can small builder owners apply for this grant?

• How much financing can an eligible person get through RénoPlex?

• What buildings are eligible for the RénoPlex program?

RénoPlex Grant Program 2024: Are You Eligible?

Applicants must meet specific criteria and follow the required steps to qualify for this renovation financial assistance. Let’s take a closer look at what you should know about it.

Who Is Eligible for Montréal’s RenoPlex Program?

This grant was created by the local government to help homeowners, businesses, co-ops, and non-profit organizations (NPO). Undoubtedly, it covers a lot, especially since the grant’s objective is to allow numerous residential buildings to be renovated. For a long time, a lot of buildings in Montréal were deemed poorly maintained due to a lack of means. This financial incentive was set up to offset the shortcomings that prompt a lot of problems (flooding after heavy rainfall, equipment damage, and increasing energy expenses).

Montréal homeowners also have to deal with extreme weather-related conditions more often than before, while some live in areas that are likely to be affected by severe water infiltration.

What Is There to Know About RénoPlex’s Eligible Buildings?

This grant is made available for residential buildings with one to five separate units. This includes single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, quadruplexes, and quintuplexes. Such dwellings must be located in the City of Montréal. 

Next, program eligibility and the work covered depend on property value and whether the owner is an individual, co-op, or non-profit housing. Buildings owned by a co-op or non-profit organization are eligible no matter the property value (under certain terms and conditions). As for mixed-use developments (for example, commercial and residential), they’re eligible for certain improvement work categories as long as the request meets eligibility requirements.

Here are examples taken from the RénoPlex program guide:

• If the property value doesn’t exceed $3,476 per square metre, you’ll qualify for funds dedicated to enhancing the building’s resilience against flooding, as well as additional funds allocated for renovation work on the roof, foundation, electrical, plumbing, and other essential systems.

• For buildings with two or more separate units and considered to have low property value, coverage extends to the following renovation work: foundation, roof, building envelope, openings, balconies, plumbing, heating, ventilation, electrical, landscaping, and driveway.

• You can also apply if your sole objective is protecting your building from flooding.

• Note that buildings with a property value exceeding 1.6 million dollars (including the cost of land) won’t qualify.

Check out the Program Guide (French only) devised by the City of Montréal for more information. 

Which Buildings Are Excluded from RénoPlex Funding?

This subsidy program isn’t offered to the following:

• Buildings with over 50% non-residential use.

• Buildings in which more than 50% of the units are unoccupied and/or aren’t bound by an active lease, except if the inoccupancy is as a result of a city- or court-mandated evacuation.

• Buildings used exclusively for commercial purposes.

• Buildings that were already granted funding as part of a subsidy filing, which was later revoked, provided the loss of funding occurred less than a year prior.

• Buildings built or converted into residential/mixed-use less than 20 years before the grant request was made.

Funding Available Through the RénoPlex Grant

Since this grant covers a range of renovation work, the table below simply highlights a few examples:

These are just a few renovation project examples that can be funded. For the complete list, consult the Program Guide. But most importantly, don’t forget that the eligibility criteria may vary. You may be eligible to receive certain funding while others will be unavailable to you.

Note that for an individual homeowner, the maximum funding awarded to a building for a single unit is $20,000, whereas it amounts to $40,000 for a building with 2–5 units. The funding also differs for a non-profit housing owner.

RénoPlex Grant Eligibility Requirements

• Your request must be approved before undertaking the renovations.

• If the work you plan to commission falls under the general renovation categories (see Guide), the grant must amount to at least $3,000 (excluding the funding for professional fees, which is also part of the program).

• For flood-proofing work, funding amounts to $500.

• The grant is limited to covering a maximum of 50% of the approved project costs.

If you meet all criteria, then the odds are stacked in your favour. Elected officials are well aware that a great many people need to modernize and weatherproof their buildings, and following a city action plan, RénoPlex underwent a recent upgrade. As a result, Montréal-based homeowners can receive funding.

However, avoid digging yourself into financial hardship if ever you fail to get final approval. To prevent the latter, respect all program terms and conditions, keep all related paperwork (invoices, analyses, quotes, reports) and avoid changes to your project mid-way through. 

Note that to qualify for funding, the renovation work commissioned must be carried out in compliance with current building standards.

How to Obtain the RénoPlex Grant

1. Make sure the renovations planned fall under the list of work covered by the program.

2. Submit your request by filling in a form designed by the City of Montréal and submitting all the required paperwork attached (technical requirements, plans, property deed, copies of all active leases, analyses, etc., see Program Guide for more information).

3. Wait for conditional approval before starting renovations. If additional paperwork is requested, you have 30 days to submit the information required by the city to obtain a definitive answer.

4. The work must be done within 18 months following the reception of conditional approval. If you obtain a renovation permit after having received conditional approval, you will be granted an extension (up to 24 months following the approval date).

5. Once the work commissioned is greenlit, you’ll receive definitive approval and funding.

What Renovation Work Is Included in the RénoPlex Grant?

The list below includes, but isn't limited, to the renovation work that falls within the program criteria. Note that funding eligibility isn’t the same for all:

• Foundation (installing a new pump system, excavating walls, installing piles under structural elements, replacing foundation walls—whether a party wall or not—, installing or replacing a well, installing a French drain, waterproofing the foundation)

• Roofing (installing a green roof system, roof restoration)

• Building envelope (exterior siding, exterior wall insulation)

• Openings (doors, windows)

• Balconies, stairs, guardrails

• Plumbing (lead water inlet, check valve, re-routing roof drain)

• Heating (replacing oil- or natural gas-fired heating devices, adding a heat pump connected baseboard)

• Ventilation (exhaust duct, range hood, bathroom fan)

• Electrical (replacing electrical panel, installing an EV charging station)

• Landscaping (demolishing a shed, creating a green surface, or installing green pavers)

• Driveway (filling in a driveway, redoing street gutter, re-levelling, installing weatherproof door)

As always, there are exceptions, including:

• Extension work intended to raise ceiling height, increase the building's square footage or add a storey, including related work, but excluding green roofing.

• Work on a veranda or closed-in porch.

• Eligible work that has already received a city-issued renovation grant (period of 5 years following the final payment of said grant).

• Plumbing and foundation work during which the height of the basement or crawl space will be increased.

• Work on select parts of a building that were built or renovated yet isn’t compliant with city standards, except if repair work is done to fix the situation before the grant is paid out.

FAQ About RénoPlex and Other Grants

Can the grant be revoked if conditional approval is rescinded?

Yes. The grant may be denied, among other reasons, if changes are made to the plan mid-way through, if the project timeline exceeds the original schedule, or if the required building permits aren't obtained.

Is funding guaranteed if I meet the program’s criteria?

Unfortunately, no. Historically speaking, this program has fallen victim to its own success. The program is allocated a certain budgetary allowance that can’t be exceeded, and if the allocated funds are exhausted due to a high volume of applicants, additional requests will be placed on hold.

Is there any mandatory work to qualify for the grant?

Yes, to qualify for funding, you must change your oil-fired boiler, central furnace, or water heater.

Is there any other financial assistance available for renovations in Montréal?

Yes, at the time of writing this article, the following programs are currently accepting applications:

• Affordable housing renovation program: renovation grants for buildings with six or more units

• Support program for the restoration and renovation of heritage buildings

What funding options are available for renovation work?

The City of Montréal, the Government of Quebec, and the Government of Canada offer different grants to carry out renovation work. Such financial assistance can vary according to periods and allocated funds. Visit government websites for up-to-date information on current grants and funding opportunities.

Additionally, here are some blog articles that explore other sources of funding:

• Home Renovation Subsidy Program in Quebec: RénoClimat

• 5 Financial Aid Programs for a Greener Home

Can my bank help finance my renovation project?

Definitely! Your bank provides a range of financing options to help cover renovation expenses. Speak with a financial advisor who can recommend the best solution for your specific needs. Options may include a personal line of credit or a mortgage loan, among others.