Québec leases, explained simply

The lease form

Landlords must use the official lease form. Section G shows the lowest rent paid for the apartment in the 12 months before your lease, and the landlord must give you a copy of the signed lease within 10 days.

Your lease renews automatically

In Québec, a lease renews on its own at the end of its term, on the same conditions, unless the landlord or the tenant gives notice. You do not need to sign a new lease every year.

Rent increases and changes

For a lease of 12 months or more, a landlord who wants to raise the rent or change a condition must send you a written notice 3 to 6 months before the lease ends. For a standard lease ending June 30, that means between January 1 and March 31.

You then have one month to answer. You can accept, refuse and stay, or tell the landlord you are leaving. If you do not answer, you are considered to have accepted. If you refuse, the landlord has one month to ask the TAL to set the rent.

If you want to leave at the end of your lease

Send your notice of non-renewal within the same window, 3 to 6 months before the end of a 12-month lease. Keep a copy.

Transferring or subletting your lease

You can transfer your lease (an assignment, or cession de bail) or sublet your apartment. Send your request in writing with the new person's name and address and, for a transfer, the date you plan to leave. The landlord has 15 days to answer; no answer means yes.

A sublet can only be refused for a serious reason. Since 2024, if a landlord refuses a transfer without a serious reason, your lease simply ends on the date you gave. You may not charge anyone for taking over your lease.

Visits and work

• To check the apartment, do work or show it to a buyer, the landlord must give 24 hours' notice
• Visits happen between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.; work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Once you have announced you are leaving, the apartment can be shown to future tenants without 24 hours' notice
• Major non-urgent work requires at least 10 days' notice