Renting an apartment in Montreal ( one of the most popular cities of Canada ) is surely not an easy feat. There are so many factors that are essential to acquiring a safe dwelling place while you work/study! The ones that commonly come to mind are- type of apartment, right neighbourhood, different lease-terms, etc. There’s one factor that is most important to understand, before you go about renting an apartment; your rights as a tenant. It may not sound as exciting, but it’s very necessary to keep you protected as a newcomer.

Knowing your rights as a tenant in Quebec

As a newcomer, we have a tendency to take things at face value. This characteristic is heightened if you belong to a different culture, have limited experience in living alone or are a young student desperately trying to look for a home. 

To avoid falling prey to people who might take advantage of your situation, it’s best to understand your rights. Thankfully, Canada has rules in place to protect you- even if you are here on a temporary basis ( work or study permit). 

Quebec Rental Board – Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL)

Tribunal administratif du logement (previously known as the Regie du logement), is your answer to all matters of rental housing in Quebec. They govern all residential leases and have laws in place that protect both lessors (landlords) and lessees (tenants). 

If your landlord does not follow the rules or acts against the lease, you have every right to report them to TAL. 

Rental laws in Quebec

Leases in Quebec:

A lease is a contract between the lessor and lessee defining their set of commitments for a dwelling. There are different types of lease forms available pertaining to your type of dwelling. .For more information, check out TAL’s website.

Also, within 10 days of entering into the lease, the lessor is required to give the lessee a copy of the lease. For more information, click here.

Duration of a lease:

It’s important to know that the most common leases are annual or for a set period. However, it is possible to rent without a termination date. The only rule is that it cannot be more than 100 years. 

Rent and Deposits:

According to Quebec rental board (TAL), lessors can only ask you for the first month’s rent when you sign the lease. 

They cannot ask you for a rental deposit, security deposit (future damage to the apartment) or key deposit. They cannot ask you for post-dated cheques, as legally they cannot accept more than one month’s rent at a time. 

Rental payments and changes:

In Quebec, your rent will be predetermined and clearly stated in the lease on which you and the landlord both agree. Also, know that:

For a fixed lease of 12 months or less, and there is a clause which allows your landlord to change your rent; know that it is not valid. They cannot change your rent payment during the lease period. If in case they do, you are not required to comply.

For a lease of more than 12 months, and there is a clause which allows your landlord to change your rent; know that it is not valid. Your landlord can only change the rent once during the period of the next 12 months.If in case they do, you are not required to comply.

In such cases, the tenant may apply to the Tribunal to ensure their rights are respected.

Notice Periods for moving out:

For a lease less than 12 months, your landlord must give you at least one month notice to move out. However, they cannot provide you with notice more than two months before the lease ends.

For a lease that is for more than 12 months, the required notice period for move-out is at least three months. However, it will not by law be more than six months before the lease ends. 

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Hopefully, you are better informed on your rights as a tenant under the Quebec rental board. This information is just the start; the more aware you are of the rental laws in Quebec, the more chances there will be of finding your first rental home! 

If you need a hand in finding your perfect rental apartment with the guidance of a local expert, then don’t hesitate to reach out to us.We provide customized relocation services at affordable options to make your relocation journey hassle-free. Read more to find out how we can be of service.