The short answer
In Québec, a landlord can ask for the applicant’s name, address and the contact information of previous landlords. With the applicant’s consent, they can run a credit check, which only requires the name, address and date of birth[1]. They cannot require the SIN, a bank account number, pay stubs, health information or copies of ID[1][2].
What is allowed, and what is not
| Information | Can it be requested? |
|---|---|
| First name, last name and address | Yes[1] |
| Name and contact information of previous landlords or janitors | Yes[1] |
| Date of birth | Only for a credit check, with consent[1][2] |
| Credit check | Only with the applicant’s consent[1] |
| Seeing an ID document | Yes, without copying it, photographing it or noting its numbers[1] |
| SIN, health insurance, passport or driver’s licence number | No[1][2] |
| Bank account number or balance, pay stub, T4 | No[2] |
| Health, pregnancy, civil status, country of origin | No[2] |
The credit check, with consent
A credit check requires the applicant’s written consent and only needs their name, address and date of birth. The SIN is therefore not necessary[1].
An applicant who refuses the check can provide their own credit report, a bank letter, a reference letter or proof of bill payments, for example electricity or telecommunications[1]. The landlord cannot refuse an applicant because they do not provide their health insurance or driver’s licence numbers[1].
Prohibited reasons for refusal
The Charter of human rights and freedoms prohibits discrimination based on, among other things, pregnancy, civil status, age, ethnic or national origin and social condition[2][3]. According to the human rights commission, refusing an applicant because they receive social assistance or because they are a student is discriminatory[2].
The Civil Code also prohibits refusing a lease to a woman because she is pregnant or to a person because they have children, unless the size of the dwelling justifies it; punitive damages are possible[4].
Keeping and destroying files (Law 25)
- Only collect the information that is necessary, for purposes determined before collecting it[5].
- Only use it for those purposes[5].
- Once the purpose is achieved, destroy or anonymize it, subject to a retention period provided by law[5]. Files of applicants who were not selected do not need to be kept indefinitely.
What about TAL decisions?
TAL decisions are public and available free of charge on the SOQUIJ website[6]. If you consult them to check an application, Law 25’s necessity principle applies: only keep what is useful to the decision to rent.
Checklist for compliant screening
- An application form limited to what is necessary, with no SIN or account number, even “optional”.
- Separate written consent for the credit check.
- No copies of ID documents.
- The same criteria for every applicant.
- Restricted access to files.
- Destruction of the files of applicants who were not selected.
Lease Lane’s rental application follows these rules: it only collects the information that is needed and asks for consent to the credit check separately.
Frequently asked questions
Can the landlord require my SIN?
No. According to the Commission d’accès à l’information, the SIN is not necessary for a credit check.
Can they photocopy my driver’s licence?
No. They can see the ID document, but not keep a copy or note its numbers.
I refuse the credit check: what can I do?
Provide your own credit report, a bank letter or references from previous landlords.
Can they refuse me because I have children or receive social assistance?
No (art. 1899 C.C.Q. and s. 10 of the Charter), unless the size of the dwelling justifies it in the case of children.
Sources
- [1]Signature d’un bail (signing a lease) · Commission d’accès à l’information · accessed on 11 octobre 2026
- [2]Aide-mémoire pour les propriétaires d’immeubles à logements · Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse · accessed on 11 octobre 2026
- [3]Obtenir un logement : vos droits · Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse · accessed on 11 octobre 2026
- [4]Civil Code of Québec, art. 1899 · LégisQuébec · accessed on 11 octobre 2026
- [5]Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector, ss. 5, 12 and 23 · CanLII · accessed on 11 octobre 2026
- [6]Search for a decision · Administrative Housing Tribunal · accessed on 11 octobre 2026
Cet article fournit de l’information générale, à jour à la date indiquée. Il ne constitue pas un avis juridique, fiscal ou financier.
