Reminders before renewing or signing a lease

Increase: before March 31
If your lease ends on June 30, your landlord has until March 31 to send you a written notice informing you, if any, of an increase in rent or any modification to the lease.

If the rise seems excessive
There is no maximum rate for rent increases. The Régie du logement's website proposes a calculation form that makes it possible to evaluate whether an increase is acceptable. Click link for calculation https://www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca/en/news/calculation-of-the-2019-rent-increase

Cannabis prohibited in the lease
Your landlord had until January 15, 2019 to add the smoking ban to your existing lease. If he has not done so, he can still do it, but on the occasion of the renewal of your lease. And like any change to an existing lease, you can opt out.

Visits to your accommodation: not anytime
You may require that your landlord or a representative be present during the visits, and he must have your permission before entering. Visits must be between 9 am and 9 pm You have the right to refuse them outside these hours.

Prohibition prohibited
An owner can not refuse to sign a lease with you because of a personal characteristic such as gender, skin color, age, language, etc.

Valid reasons for refusal
As long as there is no discrimination, an owner remains free to rent his home to whomever he wants. However, the landlord can not refuse to sign the lease just because you do not have a job.

Animals prohibited by the lease: is it legal?
Yes. An owner has the right to enter in the lease that prohibits the presence of animals in his dwelling. Exceptions exist, especially for service dogs.

Are you familiar with your Rights and Obligations as a tenant (lessee)?

Main obligations of the lessee during the lease:

• To pay the agreed rent on the agreed date (art. 1855 of C.c.Q.)

• To use the dwelling with prudence and diligence (art. 1855 of C.c.Q.)

• Not to change the form or destination of the dwelling (art. 1856 of C.c.Q.)

• To maintain the dwelling in clean condition (art. 1911 of C.c.Q.)

• To respect the laws pertaining to the safety and sanitation of the dwelling (art. 1912, alinéa 1 of C.c.Q.)

• To make the lesser maintenance repairs in certain cases (art. 1864 of C.c.Q.)
  Take a look at section Urgent and Necessary Repairs

• To allow urgent and necessary repairs (art. 1865 of C.c.Q.)
  Take a look at sections Urgent and Necessary Repairs and Major Work

• To allow the lessor to verify the condition of the dwelling, to have it visited by a prospective acquirer, the posting of signs and its visit to a prospective lessee and the work to be done (art. 1857, 1930 and next of C.c.Q.)
  Take a look at section Access to the Dwelling and Visiting Rights

• Not to change the locks of the dwelling (art. 1934 of C.c.Q.)

• To act in such a way as not to disturb the normal enjoyment of the other lessees or of the lessor (art. 1860 of C.c.Q.)
  Take a look at section Noise

• To inform the lessor about a serious defect or deterioration (art. 1866 of C.c.Q.)
  Take a look at section Urgent and Necessary Repairs

Main obligations of the lessee at the end of the lease:

• To remove all his movable effects (art. 1978 of C.c.Q.)

• To leave the dwelling in the condition in which he received it (art. 1890 and art. 1891 of C.c.Q.)

Informative text - This text does not constitute legal advice; it is recommended to consult a lawyer or notary for such an opinion.