Generally speaking, leases for dwellings are renewed automatically at term for the same period of time and at the same rent, unless landlords advise tenants in writing that they want to increase the rent. For one-year leases ending on June 30, 2016, the notice can be given between January 1 and March 31, 2016. The period differs in the case of a rented room or if the lease is for a different duration.
Upon receipt of the landlord’s notice, the tenant has three options:
In the last two cases, the tenant is required to notify the landlord in writing of his or her decision within the month after receiving the notice. If the tenant does not do so, the lease will be renewed automatically, and the tenant will have to pay the new amount of rent as of July 1, 2016.
If a tenant refuses the increase , the landlord can, within the month following receipt of the refusal, file with the Régie du logement an application for fixing of the rent.
If a landlord does not submit an application to the Régie, the lease is renewed at the same rent and conditions.
Steps for modifying the lease and periods for giving notice
Step 1
Notice by lessor
Step 2
Step 3
Application to the Régie du logement by the lessor
Lease of 12 months or more
Between 3 and 6 months before termination of the lease
Within 1 month after receiving the notice of modification
If the lessee fails to reply, he or she is deemed to have accepted the modification.
Within 1 month after receiving of the lessee’s refusal
Otherwise, the lease is renewed of right on the same conditions.
Lease of less than 12 months
Between 1 and 2 months before termination of the lease
Lease with an indeterminate term
Between 1 and 2 months before proposed modification
Lease for a room
Between 10 and 20 days before the termination of a fixed term lease or before the proposed modification if the lease has an indeterminate term
New immovable or an immovable recently converted for residential purposes
It is important to note that the lessee cannot refuse the rent increase for a dwelling if it is located:
In the event of a refusal, the lessee must vacate the dwelling upon termination of the lease. However, for those restrictions to apply, they must be mentioned in the lease of the dwelling (section F of the lease – Restrictions on the right to have the rent fixed and the lease modified).
Models notices and replies are available on the Régie du logement Website, at www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca.
The Régie can also be reached by phone:
Montréal, Laval and Longueuil
514 873-BAIL (2245)
Elsewhere
1 800 683-BAIL (2245)
The Régie du logement is the tribunal with exclusive jurisdiction over rental housing in Québec.
