ImmoMulti buys plex directly on the North Shore — and the most common question from our sellers is: "How much will I actually receive?" On a plex sold for CA$800,000, total fees can reach CA$80,000 or more. Between the seller's notary fees (CA$1,500–CA$3,000), the survey certificate if yours is over ten years old (CA$1,500–CA$2,800), the broker's commission if applicable (CA$32,000–CA$46,000 incl. taxes), tax on capital gains, and any mortgage prepayment penalties, the selling costs on a North Shore income property can easily exceed 10% of the gross sale price. Most plex owners know their sale price well before they know their actual net proceeds. This guide itemizes each cost precisely, so you go into the transaction with your net proceeds pre-calculated.
What Are the Cost Categories for Selling a Plex in Quebec?
Selling a plex or multi-unit property in Quebec generates costs in five major categories. Some are fixed and predictable (notary, survey certificate), others are proportional to the sale price (broker's commission), and still others depend on your personal tax history (capital gains, CCA recapture). Here is a complete overview.
What this article does NOT cover
The welcome tax (transfer duties) is the buyer's exclusive responsibility — the seller is not liable. For exact amounts by city on the North Shore, see our welcome tax calculator. Staging fees, photography, or property presentation costs are not covered in this article as they are optional and highly variable.
What Are the Notary Fees for Selling a Plex in Quebec?
In Quebec, the notary is the professional who instruments the deed of sale — meaning they draft and sign the authentic act that legally transfers ownership. For the sale of a plex, two categories of notarial fees apply on the seller's side.
Notary Instrumenting the Deed of Sale
The notary is typically chosen by the buyer. Their fees for drafting the deed of sale are the buyer's responsibility, but the seller generally pays the fees related to discharging their existing mortgages. The Chambre des notaires du Québec does not impose fixed fees — fees are freely negotiated.
- Discharge of a simple mortgage: CA$300–CA$600
- Discharge of multiple mortgages: CA$600–CA$1,200
- Deed of sale (if seller retains their own notary): CA$1,500–CA$2,500
Seller's Notary Fees (Purchase Offer Review)
As we detail in our guide on purchase offer clauses to review, it is strongly recommended to have your own notary review the purchase offer before signing. This service generally costs CA$300–CA$700 — a minimal investment relative to the transaction value.
Is a Survey Certificate Required to Sell a Plex?
The survey certificate is a document prepared by a land surveyor describing the current state of the lot boundaries, buildings, and their compliance with municipal regulations. It is virtually unavoidable in any Quebec real estate transaction — the notary will systematically require it.
If your existing certificate is more than 10 years old, or if significant work has been done to the property since it was last prepared, a new certificate will be required. Costs in 2026 on the North Shore:
- Duplex / simple lot: CA$1,400–CA$1,800
- Triplex / medium lot: CA$1,700–CA$2,200
- Quadruplex or complex lot: CA$2,000–CA$2,800
- Timeline: 3 to 6 weeks depending on the surveyor and workload
If your survey certificate is recent and nothing has changed on the property, the notary may accept it as-is. Otherwise, the costs should be budgeted before listing to avoid delays in the transaction.
How Much Is the Broker's Commission to Sell a Plex in Quebec?
The broker's commission is the largest — and most easily avoided — cost item in the sale of a plex or income property in Quebec.
In 2026, the standard commission for selling a multi-unit property through a broker is between 4% and 5% of the sale price, plus GST (5%) and QST (9.975%). On a plex sold for CA$800,000:
| Sale price | 4% commission (before tax) | GST + QST (14.975%) | Total commission (4%) | Total commission (5%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA$600,000 | CA$24,000 | CA$3,594 | CA$27,594 | CA$34,493 |
| CA$800,000 | CA$32,000 | CA$4,792 | CA$36,792 | CA$45,990 |
| CA$1,000,000 | CA$40,000 | CA$5,990 | CA$45,990 | CA$57,488 |
| CA$1,200,000 | CA$48,000 | CA$7,188 | CA$55,188 | CA$68,985 |
The broker's commission is negotiable — but even at 3.5%, it represents CA$28,000 on an CA$800,000 plex. For sellers who have access to a direct buyer or who want to avoid these fees, direct sale is the natural alternative. Our broker vs. direct buyer comparison analyzes the pros and cons of each option in detail.
"On a CA$900,000 plex, the broker's commission can represent between 4% and 7% of the gross sale price — that is 18 to 27 months of net rental income. It is the cost item that savvy sellers systematically seek to eliminate by dealing directly with a professional buyer."
— ImmoMulti Team, multiplex investor, North Shore, June 2026
How Much Capital Gains Tax Is Owed When Selling a Plex in Quebec?
Capital gains tax is often the least understood — and most underestimated — cost item in the sale of an income property. It is not a transaction fee, but a tax consequence of the transaction that applies in your tax return for the year of sale.
The Capital Gains Principle for a Plex
The capital gain on the sale of a plex equals the difference between the proceeds of disposition (sale price minus disposition costs) and the adjusted cost base (acquisition price plus capitalized expenses minus CCA claimed). Only half of this gain is included in your taxable income — the 50% inclusion rate applies. The proposed federal increase to 66.67% was cancelled in 2025; the rate remains 50% in 2026 for individuals.
CCA Recapture
If you claimed Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) deductions on your income property in prior years, you will likely need to include a CCA recapture in your income at the time of sale. This recapture is taxable at 100% (not at the 50% inclusion rate) and can represent a significant amount if substantial CCA was claimed.
For an estimate of your situation, consult a CPA or use Revenu Québec resources to understand your specific tax obligations.
Simplified Example
Plex acquired in 2015 for CA$450,000, sold in 2026 for CA$850,000, CCA claimed CA$40,000, disposition costs CA$5,000:
- Net proceeds of disposition: CA$845,000
- Adjusted cost base: CA$450,000 − CA$40,000 (CCA) = CA$410,000
- Capital gain: CA$845,000 − CA$410,000 = CA$435,000
- Taxable portion (50%): CA$217,500
- CCA recapture (100%): CA$40,000
- Total additional taxable income: CA$257,500 (in the year-of-sale tax return)
GST and QST: When Do They Apply?
The majority of residential plex sales are exempt from GST and QST if the units are rented long-term (leases over 30 days). However, certain situations create a repayment or collection obligation:
- Short-term rental units (Airbnb): The portion of the property used for rentals under 30 days is considered a commercial activity. Taxes may apply on the sale proportionally to that usage.
- Major renovations with input tax credits claimed: If you claimed ITCs on significant renovations, an adjustment may be required at sale.
- New or substantially renovated property: The sale of a new or substantially renovated property may trigger GST/QST.
If in doubt about your situation, consult Revenu Québec or a rental property tax specialist.
Is There a Mortgage Prepayment Penalty If I Sell My Plex Before the Term Ends?
If your plex is mortgaged and you sell before the mortgage term end date, prepayment penalties apply. These penalties can represent a significant cost, often overlooked in early net proceeds estimates.
| Loan type | Penalty calculation method | Estimate on CA$500k remaining |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed rate | Greater of: 3 months' interest OR interest rate differential | CA$5,000–CA$25,000 depending on rate and remaining term |
| Variable rate | 3 months' interest | CA$3,000–CA$8,000 |
| Commercial loan | Varies by institution and contract | Check loan agreement |
Before signing a purchase offer, ask your lender for a precise prepayment penalty statement at the expected closing date. This information is available on request and must be factored into your net proceeds calculation.
What Is the Total Cost of Selling a CA$800,000 Plex on the North Shore?
Here is a realistic simulation of total costs for selling a triplex at CA$800,000 on the North Shore in 2026, with and without a broker, excluding capital gains tax (which varies by personal situation).
| Cost item | With broker (4%) | Without broker (direct buyer) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker commission (+ taxes) | CA$36,792 | CA$0 | Main savings lever |
| Notary — mortgage discharge | CA$600 | CA$600 | Same in both cases |
| Notary — purchase offer review | CA$0–CA$500 | CA$0 | ImmoMulti: standardized offer |
| Survey certificate | CA$1,800 | CA$1,800 | If required (depends on certificate age) |
| Mortgage prepayment penalty | CA$0–CA$15,000 | CA$0–CA$15,000 | Depends on remaining term |
| Adjustments (taxes, rents) | ± CA$500 | ± CA$500 | Calculated precisely at notary |
| Total fees excl. capital gains tax | CA$39,692–CA$54,692 | CA$2,900–CA$17,900 | Potential savings: ~CA$37,000 |
| Capital gains tax | Variable | Variable | Same in both cases |
This table clearly illustrates that the broker's commission is by far the main lever the seller controls. Capital gains tax is unavoidable regardless of the sale method (except for legitimate tax strategies to plan with a CPA). Other costs (notary, survey certificate, mortgage penalty) are comparable in both scenarios.
To explore other ways to reduce your costs and avoid common mistakes, read our complete guide on mistakes to avoid when selling an income property.
Informational content only. Does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. The figures presented are indicative estimates only and do not account for your personal tax situation. Tax rules regarding capital gains and CCA recapture are complex and subject to change. Consult a CPA and a notary before making any decision regarding the sale of your income property. Official references: Revenu Québec, Chambre des notaires du Québec.
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