Deposits
“When signing a lease, the landlord can't require any deposit other than the first month's rent”
Your Rights
Key tenant rights in Quebec.
Visitation
“When visiting apartments for rent, visits must take place between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., otherwise the tenant can refuse. Moreover, the landlord must give the tenant 24-hours' notice before a visit by a potential buyer. The notice can be verbal or in writing.”
Paying the rent
“When it comes to paying rent, a landlord cannot increase your rent during the term of your lease”
Identification
“When signing a lease, a landlord can require a tenant to show a piece of ID to confirm their identity, but they aren't allowed to take a photo or photocopy”
Lease Renewal
“When a residential lease ends, it is automatically renewed on the same terms unless the landlord has taken steps to change the terms”
Lease modifications
“For example: heating not included, loss of access to the yard, etc. The rules are the same as those governing rent increases. The loss of a service (water heater, parking, etc.) must be compensated by a rent reduction equivalent to the cost of the lost service.”
Co-tenants
“If a co-tenant does not pay their share of the rent, can the landlord ask the other tenant(s) to pay the full rent? It depends. If you have a "joint" obligation to pay, you don't have to pay the full rent. But if the obligation is "solidary," you do.”
Obligation not to disturb other tenants
“Under the law, tenants have an obligation to act reasonably and not disturb other tenants. They must behave in a way that lets others peacefully enjoy their units. A tenant can be held responsible for the actions of people living with them and anyone they let into the unit. The landlord could apply to the TAL to cancel the lease.”
Minor repairs or maintenance
“Tenants must do minor repairs and maintenance that don't involve much work (e.g., changing a lightbulb). Tenants must give the unit back in the same condition they received it, but are not responsible for normal wear and tear or defects that are not their fault.”
Renoviction / Major Work
“Generally, major improvements or repairs must respect the tenant's right to stay in their home. When work requires the tenant to leave temporarily, the landlord must pay compensation equal to the tenant's reasonable relocating expenses.”
Necessary, but not urgent repairs
“When doing necessary, but non-urgent repairs, the landlord must notify the tenant (verbally or in writing) at least 24 hours before the work begins. Work must be done between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. These rules do not apply in emergencies.”
Repossession
“Landlords can repossess a rental unit to live there themselves, have their children or parents live there, have another relative or family member by marriage live there if the landlord is their main source of support, or have an ex-spouse live there after separation or divorce if the landlord is the spouse's main source of support. They cannot repossess for other reasons unless the tenant agrees.”
Eviction
“As of June 6, 2024, for a period of three years, landlords can't evict a tenant to subdivide rental housing, enlarge it, or change its use.”
Room to Fight is supported by Service Jeunesse Canada and TakingITGlobal through the Sprout Ideas Fellowship