Moving in Montreal: what to do with furniture and items you won’t take (before July 1)

Before July 1, the best way to deal with furniture and items you won’t take is to sort eight weeks ahead: keep, sell, donate or dispose. What is left to dispose of goes to the city bulky collection, an ecocentre or a pickup service. The mistake to avoid is leaving furniture on the curb without checking your borough’s rules.

In Quebec, most residential leases end on June 30, which creates a wave of moves on July 1 every year (source: Tribunal administratif du logement). The result is moving trucks everywhere and curbs piled with mattresses, sofas and bookcases. This guide helps you plan the sorting without stress.

Why sort before you move

Moving an item you no longer want means paying to pack it, carry it and haul it up a new staircase. The earlier you sort, the fewer boxes you have, and the more time you have to sell or donate what still has value. Reuse also ranks first in the waste hierarchy that RECYC-QUÉBEC promotes, ahead of recycling and disposal.

Countdown checklist: from 8 weeks out

8 weeks before

• Walk through each room and sort items into four groups: keep, sell, donate, dispose.
• Measure the doors, stairs and elevators of the new place. A piece that will not fit is not worth moving.
• Check your lease and, if you are leaving, make sure your notice was sent on time. The Tribunal administratif du logement explains the exact deadlines.
• List furniture for sale online with photos and dimensions.

4 weeks before

• Contact donation organizations: many have waiting lists in June.
• Check Info-collectes on the City of Montreal website with your address to see bulky collection days in your sector.
• Book trucks or movers, and request a quote for anything that must be disposed of.
• Start emptying closets, basements and balconies.

1 week before

• Disassemble beds and any furniture you are donating or discarding so it comes out easily.
• Confirm donation pickups and arrange collection of what remains.
• Separate broken items from reusable ones. Mattresses and upholstered furniture go in a separate pile during the city collection.
• Keep a last-day bag with cleaning supplies, tools and garbage bags.

Moving day

• Take out the items to dispose of first to free up working space.
• Do not leave anything on the curb before checking your borough’s collection date.
• Do a last walk-through with your landlord if possible, and photograph the empty rooms.

Keep, sell, donate or dispose: how to decide

A simple test: if you hesitate for more than ten seconds, ask yourself, “Would I buy this again today for my new place?” If the answer is no, it is probably time to sell it, donate it or dispose of it.

City bulky collection vs donation pickup vs junk removal: an honest comparison

No option is better than the others in every case. One clean armchair: donate it. Three bags of odds and ends: the city collection is enough. A full apartment to empty in 48 hours: a private service is often more realistic.

Rules to check with your borough

The City of Montreal states that bulky collection is offered year-round and reserved for individuals. Rules vary by borough: maximum volume per address (from 2 to 5 m³ depending on the published versions), accepted containers and collection dates. Above the limit, the City advises using a private contractor. Some boroughs add collections during the moving period, but not all of them do.

Before you put anything out, enter your address in Info-collectes, or call 311 or your borough. Never assume that what is allowed in one neighbourhood is allowed in the next.

Mattresses, box springs and large furniture: a sensitive point

Upholstered items (mattresses, box springs, sofas, armchairs) are picked up separately by another truck during the city collection, so they must go in their own pile. If you have several, our mattress and box spring removal saves you from hauling them down early and leaving them in the rain.

FAQ

Can I leave old furniture on the curb on July 1?

Only if your borough allows it for that date and that volume. Collection days and limits vary. Check Info-collectes or 311 before putting anything out.

When should I start sorting my home?

Ideally eight weeks before your move-out date. That leaves time to sell items, arrange donation pickups and book a removal service before the late June rush.

What if I have too many items for the city collection?

The City advises using a private contractor above the volume limit. You can request a free quote for furniture removal.

What happens to the items you pick up?

We prioritize donation and recycling whenever possible. Reusable items are directed to reuse rather than disposal.

Need a hand before July 1?

Good Bye Junk Montréal removes furniture, mattresses and bulky items in Montreal, Laval, the North Shore and the South Shore, within about 80 km. Prices start from $150, depending on volume, and the quote is free. Same-day pickup is often available. Our Google rating is 5.0 from 128 reviews.

Call +1 (514) 295-2123 or see our rates, the list of our services or the contact page to request your free quote.

Sources

• Ville de Montréal : modalités de la collecte des encombrants
• Tribunal administratif du logement : fin et renouvellement du bail
• RECYC-QUÉBEC : ménage du printemps écoresponsable

Sources

• Ville de Montréal : modalités de la collecte des encombrants
• Tribunal administratif du logement : fin et renouvellement du bail
• RECYC-QUÉBEC : ménage du printemps écoresponsable