Repairs in Your Montreal Apartment: Tenant Rights in Quebec

A leaking pipe, a broken heater in January, a door lock that no longer works: every tenant faces repairs sooner or later. In Quebec, the rules on maintenance and repairs are set by the Civil Code and explained by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), the provincial body that handles landlord-tenant disputes. This guide explains who is responsible for what, how to ask for repairs and what you can do in an emergency.

This article provides general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, consult the Tribunal administratif du logement.

The landlord’s basic obligations

In Quebec, the landlord must deliver the dwelling in good habitable condition and in a good state of repair, and must maintain it that way for the duration of the lease. In practice, this means the landlord is generally responsible for:

• the structure of the building, the roof and the foundations;
• plumbing, heating and electrical systems;
• doors, windows and locks;
• appliances supplied with the apartment, such as a stove or refrigerator;
• major repairs and replacements that are needed over time.

The tenant’s obligations

Tenants also have duties. You must use the dwelling with prudence and diligence, keep it clean and make minor maintenance repairs, unless they result from normal wear and tear or a superior force. You must also inform the landlord within a reasonable time of any serious defect or deterioration you notice, even if it is not urgent.

Examples of minor maintenance that is often the tenant’s responsibility include replacing light bulbs and keeping drains clear of normal debris. The government’s Juridiqc service provides practical examples of what everyday maintenance falls to whom.

How to ask your landlord for repairs

1. Notify the landlord quickly. Call or text if the problem is pressing, then confirm in writing (email or letter).
2. Describe the problem precisely: what, where, since when, and how it affects your use of the apartment.
3. Add photos or videos with the date.
4. Keep copies of all messages, letters and replies.
5. Allow reasonable access to the apartment so the work can be done. The landlord must generally give notice before entering, except in an emergency.

If the landlord does not respond or refuses to do necessary repairs, you can file an application with the TAL. Depending on the situation, the Tribunal may order the repairs, a rent reduction or damages.

Urgent and necessary repairs: what you can do

The TAL recognizes that some situations cannot wait. According to the Tribunal, a tenant may in exceptional circumstances have urgent and necessary repairs done when:

• there is a serious defect or breakage affecting the preservation or use of the dwelling;
• the landlord neglects to act; and
• the repair is truly urgent and necessary.

Examples include major plumbing or roof leaks, faulty wiring, clogged sewer lines, rotten stairs or balconies, heating failures in winter and faulty door locks.

Steps to follow

1. Try to reach the landlord first. Make every effort to contact the landlord or their usual representative, and note the dates, times and names of the people you spoke with.
2. Act only if the landlord doesn’t act in time or can’t be reached.
3. Use a qualified person, such as a plumber, electrician or carpenter.
4. Limit the work to what is essential, at minimal cost. The fix should be temporary: stop the leak or restore heat, not replace the entire system.
5. Keep all invoices and receipts. The landlord must reimburse reasonable expenses on presentation of supporting documents.

According to the TAL, if the landlord refuses to reimburse you, you may withhold the amount from your rent, and authorization from the Tribunal is not required for this. These are exceptional measures that must be used with great caution and in good faith. Read the full rules on the TAL’s page on urgent and necessary repairs before acting.

What you should not do

• Don’t stop paying your rent to pressure the landlord into making non-urgent repairs. Outside the specific urgent-repair situation, apply to the TAL instead.
• Don’t carry out major renovations or improvements yourself.
• Don’t throw away replaced parts of the landlord’s movable property, such as a refrigerator part; they must be returned to the landlord.

Unsanitary conditions: mould, pests and heating

Mould, bedbugs, cockroaches and lack of heat can make a dwelling unfit for habitation or seriously affect your health and comfort. Notify the landlord in writing as soon as possible. In Montreal, you can also contact your borough, which enforces municipal housing standards and can inspect the dwelling. If the situation is not resolved, you can apply to the TAL.

Tips to protect yourself

• Do a detailed move-in inspection with photos. See our rental checklist.
• Report problems in writing, even after a phone call.
• Keep a simple log of each problem, with dates and follow-ups.
• Consider tenant insurance to protect your belongings in case of water damage.

FAQ – Repairs and tenant rights in Quebec

How long does a landlord have to make repairs?

There is no single deadline for all situations; the landlord must act within a reasonable time given the urgency. A heating failure in winter calls for much faster action than a cosmetic issue.

Can my landlord enter to make repairs?

Yes, but generally with prior notice, except in an emergency. You must allow reasonable access for necessary work.

Can I get a rent reduction if repairs aren’t done?

You can ask the TAL for a rent reduction, an order to carry out repairs or damages, depending on the situation.

Where can I get help?

The Tribunal administratif du logement provides information and forms, and the Quebec government’s Juridiqc service explains tenants’ rights in plain language.