Glossary
Glossary of the residential lease in Québec
The words you use, then the Civil Code or TAL term. General legal information, not legal advice.
To be validated by Lease Lane before publication (page not indexed). Each definition repeats word for word an answer already published on the site, except “3½, 4½” (general definition, new).
- “Régie du logement”Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL)
- The Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL) replaced the Régie du logement on August 31, 2020. It settles disputes between tenants and landlords of residential units in Québec, and publishes the rent increase calculation method every year.Source: FAQ
- “Rent increase”Notice of modification of the lease, rent fixing
- Your lease renews on the same terms. If the landlord wants to change it, they must send you a notice three to six months before the end of a twelve-month lease. You have one month after receiving the notice to reply in writing that you refuse the change or that you are leaving the unit; if you do not reply, you are deemed to have accepted it (art. 1945 C.C.Q.). Yes. You have one month after receiving the notice to refuse it in writing, and you stay in the unit. The landlord can then ask the TAL to set the rent, within one month of your refusal.Source: 2026 rent increase
- “Eviction”Repossession, termination, eviction
- Yes, to live there or to house a close relative, by written notice at least six months before the end of a twelve-month lease. You have one month to reply; if you do not reply, you are deemed to have refused. After more than three weeks of late payment, you can ask the TAL to terminate the lease and recover the rent. We prepare the file and submit it to you before anything is filed.Source: FAQ
- “Unpaid rent, late payment”Collection, application to the TAL
- When rent is more than three weeks late, you can ask the TAL to terminate the lease and recover the rent. We prepare the file and submit it to you before anything is filed.Source: FAQ
- “Deposit, security deposit”Prohibited in Québec (art. 1904 C.C.Q.)
- In Québec, only the first month's rent can be required in advance (C.C.Q., art. 1904). Security deposits, key deposits, mandatory postdated cheques and application fees are prohibited; any amount collected this way is refundable with interest.Source: Cléo
- “Transfer my lease, leave, move”Lease assignment, sublet, notice of departure
- Send a written notice from your tenant portal, with the contact details of the proposed person. Since Bill 31, the owner may accept, refuse for a serious reason or, for an assignment, terminate the lease; the portal explains each case before sending. Give your notice of departure in your tenant portal, within the time limits set out in the lease. Cléo schedules the re-rental viewings with you, then we arrange the key handover.Source: Tenant services
- “Roommate, spouse”Adding a person to the lease
- Fill out the Addition to lease form in your tenant portal: the person’s identity, arrival date and status, co-signing roommate or occupant only. The landlord gives consent, then the lease is updated.Source: Tenant services
- “Leak, water damage, toilet, heating”Repair request, emergency
- A major water leak, a heating failure in winter, a power outage, a door or lock that no longer closes, a faulty smoke detector. Call 418-473-3208 at any time; if there is danger, dial 911. Submit the request in your tenant portal, with photos. You receive a tracking number and an appointment window, then a notification at every step: received, scheduled, in progress, completed.Source: Emergency 24/7
- “3½, 4½, apartment”Unit
- In Québec, a unit is often described by its number of rooms, with the bathroom counting as a half: a 4½ has four rooms and a bathroom.Source: Apartments for rent
- “Quote, price, rate”Service offer
- Each offer is prepared for your building, after a 30-minute call: number of units, building condition, services wanted. You receive it in writing, with the transition timeline.Source: Service offer
/Your situation
A specific question? Cléo answers.
Cléo gives you the rule and its source, each party's options and the deadlines, then hands off to a person when needed.
