What are a tenant's rights in Québec?

This sheet gives a general overview, as general information and not legal advice. According to Québec.ca and the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), a tenant can stay in their dwelling as long as they wish if they respect all the conditions of their lease. Among other things, the landlord must keep the dwelling in good condition for habitation and make the necessary repairs. The landlord must also respect your privacy: during the lease, they must give you 24 hours' notice before entering your home, except for urgent and necessary work. In a dispute, you can file an application with the TAL.

Key facts

Staying in your dwelling

A tenant can stay in their dwelling as long as they wish if they respect all the conditions of their lease. In certain situations, a landlord can repossess a dwelling by giving the tenant written notice within the required time limits.

Visits and access

During the lease, 24 hours' notice (verbal or written) before entering. Urgent and necessary work can be done without notifying the tenant. Visits to show the dwelling take place between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Condition of the dwelling

The landlord must keep the dwelling in good condition for habitation and make the necessary repairs, except those that are the tenant's responsibility.

Major work

Notice of 10 days (or more, depending on the circumstances). The rent stays the same until the end of the lease.

Rent payment

The landlord cannot demand postdated cheques or a payment exceeding one month's rent.

Discrimination

The Charter of human rights and freedoms prohibits a landlord from treating a tenant differently because of personal characteristics such as race, religion, colour, language or sexual orientation. A complaint can be filed with the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse.

Steps

1. Read your lease: it sets out the conditions you must respect. You can stay in your dwelling as long as you wish if you respect all these conditions.
2. Keep your main tenant obligations in mind: pay the agreed rent on the agreed date, use the dwelling with prudence and diligence, keep it clean and in good condition, and do not change the locks.
3. For visits and inspections, know that during the lease the landlord must give you notice (verbal or written) of 24 hours before entering. Visits to show the dwelling must take place between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
4. If you notice a defect or significant deterioration, notify the landlord as soon as possible, whether it is urgent or not. For an urgent and necessary repair, the TAL explains the steps: first try to reach the landlord.
5. If the landlord wants to do major work (for example, renovating a bathroom or kitchen), they must send you a 10-day notice or longer, depending on the circumstances. Your rent stays the same until the end of the lease.
6. In a dispute, first try to settle the situation amicably. If needed, send a formal notice (mise en demeure) setting a specific deadline, then file an application with the Tribunal administratif du logement.
7. For rent increases or the lease itself, see the sheets on this site about a landlord raising your rent and about the mandatory Québec lease (TAL form), which cover those topics in detail.

General information drawn from official sources. It does not replace legal, medical or financial advice. For your situation, contact the organization concerned or a professional.