Québec Housing Resources

Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL)

Formerly the Régie du logement. The government body that handles all disputes between tenants and landlords in Québec.

Mandatory standard lease

In Québec, residential leases must use the official TAL form. A lease on a plain piece of paper without this form is not valid.

📌 Reference: art. 1895 C.C.Q. — The landlord must provide a signed copy of the lease within 10 days.

✅ What the landlord CAN do

• Request a maximum of 1 month rent in advance — security deposits are prohibited in Québec
  📌 art. 1903–1904 C.C.Q.
• Increase rent once per year, with written notice within required timeframes
  📌 art. 1942, 1945 C.C.Q.
• Refuse a sublease or lease assignment for a serious reason
  📌 art. 1870 C.C.Q.
• Access the unit with 24-hour written notice (except real emergencies)
  📌 art. 1857, 1930 C.C.Q.
• Request lease termination after 3 weeks of unpaid rent
  📌 art. 1971 C.C.Q.

🚫 What the landlord CANNOT do

• Require a security deposit or post-dated cheques
  📌 art. 1904 C.C.Q.
• Discriminate against a tenant based on race, sex, origin, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
  📌 Charter of Rights, art. 10
• Enter the unit without permission, except in real emergencies
  📌 art. 1857 C.C.Q.
• Cut essential services (water, heating, electricity)
  📌 art. 1913 C.C.Q.
• Evict a tenant without a TAL ruling
  📌 art. 1970 et seq. C.C.Q.
• Rent a unit that is unfit for habitation
  📌 art. 1910–1911 C.C.Q.