City signs 24-month lease with Startop

Summary#

Montréal city council approved a 24-month lease with Startop, starting February 1, 2026. The City is renting Startop a 653-square-foot room at 251 avenue des Pins Ouest, in Cité-des-Hospitalières, for offices, coworking, workshops and conferences for women entrepreneurs.

  • The rent is $34,380.36, excluding taxes.
  • Either the City or Startop can end the lease early with 30 days’ notice.
  • The decision was adopted unanimously.

What it means for you#

  • Startop: It can continue using the room for the stated activities during the lease term, subject to the lease’s terms. It must pay property taxes and cleaning costs.
  • The City: It must provide energy and cover maintenance and repairs. The City’s summary says the rent is within the range set by its real-estate evaluation staff.
  • Public: This is a lease of City property, not a new grant or public service program.

Money#

The lease brings the City $34,380.36 in rent, plus applicable taxes; the materials do not estimate the City’s costs for energy, maintenance or repairs.

  • The rent revenue will be recorded in the City’s operating budget for its Service de la stratégie immobilière.
  • The summary lists total payments of $39,528.82 including taxes.
  • Startop is responsible for property taxes and cleaning; the City is responsible for energy, maintenance and repairs.

What is unclear#

  • The full lease is not included, so other terms and conditions cannot be checked.
  • The materials do not estimate the City’s energy, maintenance or repair costs.
  • The materials do not describe how Startop’s activities or participants will be selected.

Case for#

  • City staff say the lease supports continued use of the site in line with the principles for its temporary occupation.
  • The lease lets Startop continue activities at the site; staff say refusing it would mean Startop leaves and the City looks for another tenant.
  • Staff say the rent is within the range set by the City’s evaluation.

Case against#

  • One concern is that the City’s net financial return is unclear because costs for energy, maintenance and repairs are not estimated.
  • Either party can end the lease on 30 days’ notice, so the 24-month term does not guarantee that the occupancy will last that long.