Quebec Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners

Quebec's residential landlord-tenant laws are unique in North America, heavily favoring tenant stability and applying strict regulations overseen by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) (formerly the Régie du logement). Whether you manage a single condo or a multi-unit multiplex, understanding these rules—which are rooted in the Civil Code of Québec—is essential.

Key Quebec Rental Laws at a Glance

Mandatory Lease Forms

In Quebec, all residential lease agreements must be documented using the official mandatory lease form published by the Tribunal administratif du logement. Using a custom lease agreement is not permitted.

If a landlord and tenant reach an oral agreement, the landlord is still legally required to provide a "Mandatory Writing" form within 10 days of the agreement.

For more detail, see our Lease RequirementsEsikatselu ei saatavilla guide.

The Ban on Security Deposits

Quebec is one of the few jurisdictions where security deposits are strictly illegal for residential leases. Under Article 1904 of the Civil Code, a landlord cannot require a tenant to pay any amount other than the rent, which includes banning "last month's rent" deposits, damage deposits, or key deposits.

A landlord may only require the payment of the first month's rent at the time the lease is signed. While a tenant can voluntarily offer a deposit to strengthen their application, the landlord cannot demand or suggest it.

For more detail, see our Security DepositsEsikatselu ei saatavilla deep dive.

Rent Control and Increases

Quebec does not use a fixed percentage cap for rent control. Instead, rent increases are calculated using a specific methodology that accounts for variations in the building's operating costs, such as municipal/school taxes, insurance, and major renovations.

Landlords must send a formal "Notice of Rent Increase." If the tenant refuses the increase but wishes to stay, the landlord must apply to the TAL within one month to have the tribunal fix the rent. For 2026-2027, the TAL recommended a baseline 3.1% increase for unheated dwellings without major renovations, though actual legal increases vary by property.

For more detail, see our Rent IncreasesEsikatselu ei saatavilla guide.

Eviction and Repossession Procedures

Quebec law strongly protects the tenant's "right to maintain occupancy." Ending a tenancy normally requires the landlord to use a specific process:

Repossession

A landlord may repossess a dwelling to live in it themselves, or to house immediate family members (children, parents). A 6-month notice is required before the end of the lease.

Eviction for Major Projects

Recent legislation (Law 31) enacted a 3-year moratorium (starting June 6, 2024) on evictions intended for subdividing a dwelling, substantially enlarging it, or changing its destination, protecting most tenants from "renovictions" during this period.

Termination for Default

A lease can be terminated if the tenant is more than three weeks (21 days) late on rent, or frequently pays late causing serious prejudice to the landlord.

For more detail, see our Eviction ProcessEsikatselu ei saatavilla guide.

Lease Assignment and Subletting (Bill 31)

As of February 2024, Quebec law (Bill 31) significantly changed how lease assignments work. While tenants still have the right to request an assignment or sublet, landlords now have more control:

1. Right to Refuse: A landlord can now refuse a lease assignment for a reason other than a "serious concern" about the assignee.
2. Consequence of Refusal: If a landlord refuses an assignment for a non-serious reason, the lease is automatically terminated on the date of the proposed assignment. This allows landlords to regain control of the unit instead of being forced to accept an assignee.
3. Subletting: The rules for subletting remain largely unchanged; landlords can only refuse for a serious reason.

Required Disclosures

Quebec landlords have specific disclosure requirements, most notably Section G of the mandatory lease. The landlord must disclose the lowest rent paid for the dwelling in the 12 months preceding the start of the lease. If a new tenant discovers the rent was raised excessively compared to the previous tenant, they can apply to the TAL to have it reduced.

For more detail, see our Required DisclosuresEsikatselu ei saatavilla guide.

Maintenance and Habitability

Landlords are obligated to deliver the property in good repair and maintain it in a habitable condition throughout the lease. This includes providing adequate heating—dwellings must be capable of maintaining a temperature of 21°C during the winter months. Tenants are responsible for minor maintenance, but major repairs remain the landlord's duty.

For more detail, see our Maintenance ObligationsEsikatselu ei saatavilla guide.

Late Fees are Illegal

Just like security deposits, charging late fees or penalties is illegal in Quebec. If rent is late, the landlord cannot add a $50 late charge, regardless of what a lease clause might claim. Any such clause is null and void. Landlords can, however, claim interest at the legal rate if they pursue the unpaid rent through the TAL.

For more detail, see our Late FeesEsikatselu ei saatavilla guide.

Getting Started with Compliance

Navigating the unique rules of the Tribunal administratif du logement can be tricky for new and experienced landlords alike. Landager helps property owners track their mandatory lease renewals, stay compliant with zero-deposit regulations, and properly calculate building expenses.

How Landager Helps

Quebec’s unique regulatory framework — where security deposits are banned, late fees are illegal, and rent increases follow a complex expense-based formula — demands meticulous record-keeping and strict adherence to TAL procedures. Landager simplifies compliance by auto-generating the mandatory TAL lease form, tracking the 3-to-6-month notice window for rent increase notifications, and maintaining a digital audit trail of all landlord-tenant communications. Whether you manage a duplex in Plateau Mont-Royal or a multi-unit building in Laval, Landager ensures you never miss a critical deadline or inadvertently violate the Civil Code of Québec.

Explore more Quebec compliance topics:

• Security DepositsEsikatselu ei saatavilla
• Eviction ProcessEsikatselu ei saatavilla
• Required DisclosuresEsikatselu ei saatavilla
• Rent IncreasesEsikatselu ei saatavilla
• Lease RequirementsEsikatselu ei saatavilla
• Maintenance ObligationsEsikatselu ei saatavilla
• Late FeesEsikatselu ei saatavilla