Quebec (QC) law guide
Quick answer
Quebec bans all security and damage deposits under Article 1904 of the Civil Code; landlords may only request the first month's rent in advance. Tenants have a strong right of lease renewal, and any proposed rent increase at renewal may be refused, forcing the landlord to apply to the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) within one month. The 2026 to 2027 TAL benchmark rent increase for an unheated unit with no major renovations is approximately 3.1%.
Security deposit rules
All security and damage deposits are prohibited under Civil Code art. 1904. Only the first month's rent may be collected in advance. No pet deposit, no key deposit.
Rent control
No hard cap. TAL issues annual benchmark increase factors; 2026 to 2027 baseline for unheated units is approximately 3.1%. Tenant may refuse proposed increase and TAL fixes the rent.
Tribunal/board
Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), tal.gouv.qc.ca
Nonpayment notice
No mandatory notice period. If rent is more than 21 days late, landlord may apply to TAL to terminate the lease and collect arrears. Montreal cases average 5 to 7 months to enforcement.
Quebec rental market snapshot
Population
8.9 million
Renter households
~40% of households
Median rent
$2,000/mo (2BR, Montreal, 2026)
Largest rental markets
Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil, Sherbrooke
Quebec has Canada's highest renter share at roughly 40%, driven by Montreal's historically strong tenant culture. Two-bedroom asking rents in Montreal range from $1,900 to $2,325 in early 2026, well below Vancouver and Toronto. The strong TAL renewal right means existing tenants rarely face large annual increases.
Quebec prohibits all forms of security and damage deposits under Article 1904 of the Civil Code. Landlords may not collect a deposit for keys, furniture, pets, or general damages. Only the first month's rent may be collected in advance. Any landlord who collects an illegal deposit can be ordered by the TAL to return it with interest.
The prohibition is strict: even a clause where the tenant appears to offer a deposit voluntarily is generally considered an illegal condition of the lease when signed at the same time as the tenancy agreement. Tenants should refuse any deposit request and report violations to the TAL.
Quebec does not set a hard rent cap. Instead, the TAL publishes annual benchmark factors each year covering elements such as municipal taxes, insurance, maintenance, and return on capital. The resulting baseline for an unheated unit without major renovations for 2026 to 2027 is approximately 3.1%. At lease renewal, the landlord must give written notice of any proposed rent change within prescribed timelines.
If the tenant refuses the proposed increase, they notify the landlord in writing within one month of receiving the notice, and the landlord must apply to the TAL within one month to have the tribunal fix the rent. If neither party acts within the applicable deadlines, the lease renews automatically at the existing rent.
For nonpayment of rent, there is no mandatory advance notice period in Quebec. If rent is more than 21 days late, the landlord may apply directly to the TAL to terminate the lease and collect arrears. The tenant may avoid eviction even after a TAL application by paying all rent owing, plus costs and interest, before a decision is rendered.
In Montreal, Laval, and Longueuil, realistic enforcement timelines from filing to judgment run 5 to 7 months given TAL backlogs. Evictions outside the nonpayment context (e.g., for owner repossession or major renovation) require 6 months notice and are subject to strict TAL oversight, with tenants having the right to refuse and force the landlord to apply for authorization.
Under the Civil Code, a landlord must give the tenant advance notice before entering a rental unit, and urgent repairs are an exception. The standard practice is 24 hours notice for non-emergency entry, although the Civil Code does not specify an exact number of hours for all situations. The landlord must not interfere with the tenant's peaceful enjoyment.
Landlords are obligated to deliver and maintain the property in good habitable condition throughout the tenancy. If the landlord fails to make necessary repairs after a reasonable request, the tenant may apply to the TAL for a rent reduction, an order of repair, or termination of the lease in serious cases.
The Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Act Respecting Equal Access to Employment prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, colour, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, civil status, age (except children), religion, political convictions, language, ethnic or national origin, social condition, disability, and use of any means to palliate a disability. Social condition is a notable Quebec-specific ground that can protect low-income renters.
Quebec tenants have one of Canada's strongest right-of-renewal protections. At the end of any lease, the tenant has the automatic right to renew under the same conditions unless the landlord provides valid notice within strict timelines for repossession, major subdivision, or conversion. Subletting requires landlord consent but cannot be unreasonably refused.
Quebec mandates a single official mandatory lease form published by the TAL for all residential tenancies. Using a custom or private lease agreement is not permitted. The mandatory form contains all required clauses and cannot be amended in ways that reduce tenant rights under the Civil Code.
At the end of a fixed-term lease, the tenancy automatically renews on the same terms unless proper notice is given. Landlords who wish to repossess a unit for personal use must give 6 months written notice for leases of 12 months or more, and the tenant has the right to refuse, requiring the landlord to apply to the TAL for authorization. Converting a rental to a divided co-ownership (condo) is also subject to complex TAL oversight.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Civil Code of Quebec, arts. 1851 to 1978 (residential leases). Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-06.
Quebec FAQ
No. Quebec bans all security and damage deposits under Article 1904 of the Civil Code. Landlords may only collect the first month's rent in advance. No pet deposit, key deposit, or damage deposit of any kind is permitted. Any illegal deposit can be recovered through the TAL.
Quebec does not use a hard cap. The TAL publishes annual benchmark factors; the 2026 to 2027 baseline for an unheated unit without major renovations is approximately 3.1%. Tenants can refuse any proposed increase, which forces the landlord to apply to the TAL to have rent fixed.
If rent is more than 21 days late, the landlord may apply directly to the TAL to terminate the lease and recover arrears. No mandatory advance notice is required. The tenant can avoid eviction by paying all rent owing plus costs and interest before the TAL issues a decision. In Montreal, the process realistically takes 5 to 7 months.
Yes. At the end of any fixed-term lease, the tenancy automatically renews on the same terms unless the landlord sends proper notice of a rent change or repossession within required timelines, or the tenant gives notice they will not renew. This is one of the strongest tenant renewal rights in Canada.
The official mandatory lease form published by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) is required for all residential tenancies. Custom or private lease agreements are not permitted. The form is available for free on the TAL website at tal.gouv.qc.ca.
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