Q. Do your services cost any money?
No! All of our services are free of charge.
Q. Do you have any legal training?
Our tenant support service is offered by community organizers, who do not have any legal training or background. However, they have all undergone extensive training on housing rights in Quebec and are qualified to provide legal information regarding tenants’ rights and obligations.
If you are looking for a lawyer or for legal advice, we are not the right place! However, we will be more than happy to answer any questions to the best of our ability and to refer you to the appropriate legal resources, as needed.
Q. Do you do drop-ins?
No, our office is open by appointment only. If you show up to our office without an appointment, there is no guarantee that anyone will be there to assist you. Please make an appointment by phone or by email prior to coming to our office.
Q. Do you help tenants look for housing?
Unfortunately, we do not offer housing search assistance to individual tenants. However, you can find various housing search resources and tools on our website.
Q. Can I refuse my rent increase and stay in my apartment?
Yes! In Quebec, you have a right to refuse a rent increase and renew your lease, as long as you do not live in a housing cooperative or in a dwelling that was constructed in the last 5 years. Click here to learn more about your rights regarding rent increases.
Q. Can my landlord increase the cost of my parking spot?
No, your landlord cannot increase the cost of your parking spot. Whether a parking spot is included in the monthly rent you pay or you have a separate parking contract with your landlord, the cost of parking must stay the same. Your landlord may be entitled to a rent increase, in accordance with the Regulation respecting the criteria for the fixing of rent. However, your landlord cannot increase the cost of your rent AND increase the cost of your parking.
The rent increase must be calculated based off of the total rent you pay, including the cost of parking and any additional services related to your lease.
Q. In the past I accepted a rent increase that was abusive, before I knew my rights. Can I go back and contest it now?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to go back and contest an abusive rent increase from past years. That is why it is important to get informed about what your rights are and to refuse an abusive rent increase or other modification to the lease within the proper time frame! Click here to learn more about how to refuse an abusive rent increase.
Q. My landlord wants to sell the property and I am worried I will be forced out. Can the new owner kick me out?
No! The new owner of your rental unit must respect your lease, and the sale of your unit has no impact on your lease. The new landlord must not increase your rent, aside from the legally permitted rent increase upon renewal of the lease. The landlord also has no right to terminate your lease or refuse to renew your lease. When you purchase a rental unit in Quebec, you are also purchasing the associated leases and you must respect them!
Q: I received a “Notice of Non-Renewal” of my lease. Is this legal?
No, this is not a legal notice. In Quebec, leases renew automatically. A tenant may send a notice of non-renewal of the lease to terminate a lease at term, provided the notice is received within the proper time frame. However, a landlord has no right whatsoever to not renew a lease.
A landlord must always obtain authorization from the Tribunal administrative du logement (TAL) to terminate a lease and evict a tenant. If you receive such a notice, do not sign anything and contact the CALODI immediately for assistance.
Q: My landlord gave me an eviction notice. What are my rights?
As of June 6, 2024, evictions to subdivide, enlarge, or change the destination of a rental unit are illegal in Quebec. If you receive a notice of eviction to subdivide, enlarge, or change the destination of your rental unit, this is an illegal notice. Do not sign anything, and contact the CALODI to learn about potential recourse.
Q: What is a repossession and can I refuse it?
A repossession means that your landlord wants to take back your rental unit so that they or a family member can live there. This is one of the only exceptions to the right to maintain occupancy in Quebec.
Anyone can refuse a repossession, especially if you believe it is being proposed to you in bad faith. Also, there are protections in place that prevent repossessions if the tenant is over 65, has lived in their apartment for over 10 years, and has an income that does not exceed 125% of the maximum income to quality for low-income housing.
To learn more about your rights regarding repossessions, click here.
Q: My landlord is offering me money to leave my apartment. Is this legal?
Yes, technically, it is legal for your landlord to offer you money to leave your apartment. A tenant can sign an agreement with their landlord to terminate their lease in exchange for money, and such an agreement is generally legally binding and recognized by the TAL.
However, think carefully before signing this kind of agreement. The rental market in the West Island has changed dramatically in the last 10 years, and you are probably being offered a deal because your rent is lower than “market value.” $10,000 may sound like a lot of money now, but if you end up paying an extra $500 per month in rent for a new apartment, this money will run out quickly.
If your landlord is pressuring you to sign a lease termination agreement, if you are not happy with the amount being offered to you, or if you don’t understand the terms of an agreement being presented to you, do not sign anything! Take the time to understand your rights, consider your options, and make an informed and confident decision. Your landlord has a right to offer you money to leave your apartment, but you also have a right to refuse!
Q: My landlord wants to do major renovations in my apartment and wants me out. Can I say no?
Yes, you can absolutely say no! Major repairs and renovations are not a valid excuse to evict a tenant. Your landlord can ask you to temporarily vacate the premises while work is carried out, but you must be provided with adequate compensation, and you can refuse to vacate the premises. To learn more, read our guide on Repairs and Renovations.
Q: Can my landlord kick me out if I am unable to pay my rent on time?
Yes, but not without the authorization of the TAL. If you are more than three weeks late on your rent payment, or if you frequently pay your rent late, your landlord can file an application at the TAL to terminate your lease. If you are able to pay the rent owed, plus interest and applicable fees, by the date of the hearing, you can avoid an eviction.
So, your landlord cannot come to your door and force you out if your rent is a couple of days or weeks late. There is a legal process that must always be followed, even if you are late on your rent.
Q. There are a lot of problems in my apartment. Can I withhold rent until my landlord fixes them?
No, withholding any amount of rent is illegal and could put you at risk for an eviction. Even withholding $20 from your rent can put you at risk. The only situation in which a tenant can legally withhold an amount from their rent is if they have carried out urgent and necessary repairs, according to strict guidelines. This is an exceptional measure and should not be taken lightly, as the TAL does not appreciate individuals taking justice into their own hands. To learn more, see our guide on Repairs and Renovations.
If you are having problems in your apartment, there are other, safer ways to go about solving them, such as sending a formal notice, applying at the TAL, contacting your city, and forming a tenants’ association with your neighbors to take collective action.
Q. I am experiencing some sanitation issues in my apartment (mold, insects, rodents, etc.) and my landlord isn’t helping. What can I do about it?
If you are experiencing sanitation issues in your apartment, there is recourse with the city and with the TAL. Before pursuing either of these options, you must send a written formal notice to your landlord, describing the problem and giving them a reasonable timeframe to take action.
See our guides on Formal Notices and Sanitation and Safety to learn more.
Q. I have bed bugs in my apartment. Whose responsibility is it to pay for an exterminator?
It is the landlord’s responsibility to remedy sanitation problems in a rental unit, including paying for an exterminator. However, the tenant must cooperate with the extermination process, allowing the exterminator to carry out their work and discarding infested items as needed.
Q. I am worried that there may be fire hazards in my unit or building. Who can I contact about this?
If you notice potential fire hazards in your unit or building, send your landlord a formal notice giving them 7 days to resolve the problem. If they do not address the problem within this timeframe, you can contact a fire prevention officer at 514-872-3800, extension 4, or email them at sim@montreal.ca with the subject line “URGENT INSPECTION.” In your email, explain the situation and provide all relevant information about your landlord (name, address, email, phone number). Also include your name and address.
Q. Is it legal for my landlord to ask for a security deposit?
No, it is illegal for a landlord to require a “security deposit.” Upon signing a lease, a landlord can ask for a payment of up to the amount of one month’s rent. However, any amount paid by the tenant must be deducted from the payment of the first month’s rent.
For example, if your total rent is $1,000 per month, you can pay up to $1,000 upon signing the lease. In this example, if you pay $800 when you sign the lease, you will only pay $200 in rent for the first month of the lease.
Q. My lease says no pets but my landlord told me it’s fine to have a pet. Will this be a problem?
Unfortunately, this could be a problem. Generally, what is written in your lease is legally binding and enforceable. Even if your landlord has allowed you to have a pet, if your lease specifies that pets are not allowed and you have a pet, this could end up being a problem. It is always best, when negotiating and signing a lease, to ensure that anything that has been promised to you verbally is also written in the lease. This ensures that you are protected and that you have a written record of your agreements.
Q: Am I required to get tenants’ insurance?
It depends! If the rules for your building require tenants to purchase tenants’ insurance and you agreed to these rules, either upon signing the lease or during a lease renewal, then you must purchase tenants’ insurance.
If not, you are not required to purchase tenants’ insurance. However, if you are able to afford it, it is always a good idea to protect yourself and your belongings in case of emergency.
Q. Whose responsibility is it to do repairs in my apartment?
It depends! Minor repairs, such as changing a lightbulb or unclogging a drain, are generally the tenant’s responsibility. Repairs to common areas, repairs that require expertise, major repairs, and renovations are generally the responsibility of the landlord. To learn more, see our guide on “Repairs and Renovations.”
Q. My landlord is refusing to do repairs in my apartment. Can I do them myself and subtract the cost from my next rent payment?
It depends! A tenant is authorized to carry out repairs and be reimbursed for the cost of these repairs only in exceptional circumstances. If the repairs are both urgent and necessary, if the landlord has been notified of the problem and is refusing to act, and if the repairs needed are minimal in nature, then the tenant may hire a professional to carry out the repairs. The tenant must, however, keep costs reasonable and provide the landlord with a detailed receipt for the expenses claimed. To learn more, see our guide on “Repairs and Renovations.”