Before you sign a new lease in Montreal, there’s one section you should never skip: section G. It tells you the lowest rent paid for the apartment in the 12 months before your lease begins. If your new rent is much higher, you may be able to ask the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) to fix the rent. Here’s how it works.
General information, not legal advice. See the TAL’s page on the notice to a new lessee for full details.
What is section G?
Quebec uses a mandatory lease form for residential rentals. When a lease is signed, the landlord must give the new tenant a written notice stating the lowest rent paid for the dwelling during the 12 months before the start of the new lease, or the rent fixed by the Tribunal during that period. If no rent was paid in that 12-month period, the notice must state the last rent paid and when it was paid. This information is entered in section G of the lease.
A tenant who sublets must give the same notice to the subtenant.
Why it matters
Section G is a key tool to fight excessive rent increases between tenants. If the rent you’re asked to pay is significantly higher than the previous rent, you can apply to the TAL to fix the rent. The Tribunal can then determine a fair rent for the dwelling.
Deadlines to apply to the TAL
According to the TAL, a new tenant or subtenant who pays more than the rent stated in the notice (or the rent previously fixed by the Tribunal) may ask the Tribunal to fix the rent:
- within 10 days after the lease or sublease is signed, if the landlord gave the notice when the lease was signed;
- within two months after the beginning of the lease, if the landlord did not give the notice at signing;
- within two months after learning of a false statement, if the notice contained one.
Deadlines are short, so read section G carefully on the day you sign.
When the notice is not required
The TAL lists situations in which the landlord doesn’t have to give this notice:
- the dwelling is rented by a housing cooperative;
- the building was erected five years ago or less, or its residential use results from a change of use made five years ago or less;
- the dwelling is in a low-rental housing building.
For the first two situations, the restriction must be stated in section F of the lease. For leases entered into since February 21, 2024, a lease in a building erected or converted within the last five years must also state the maximum rent the landlord may charge during the five years after the building is ready for use.
Misleading or missing notice
If the notice contains a misrepresentation, or if the landlord knowingly fails to give it, the tenant may ask the Tribunal for punitive damages. According to the TAL, this applies to leases signed since February 21, 2024.
How to use section G when apartment hunting
- Ask about the previous rent early, during the visit or before you commit.
- Read section G before signing and make sure it’s filled in.
- Compare the amounts: if the increase seems excessive, note the 10-day deadline.
- Keep a copy of your signed lease and any notices you receive.
- Get information from the TAL before filing an application, to understand the process and costs.
Should you apply to fix the rent?
It’s your right, and it can lead to a lower rent. Some tenants hesitate because they fear a bad relationship with the landlord. Each situation is different: weigh the difference in rent, the length of your lease and your relationship with the landlord. The TAL and tenant information resources can help you understand the process.
Related guides
- The ultimate rental checklist before signing a lease
- Rent increase notices in Quebec
- Security deposits in Montreal
FAQ – Section G of a Quebec lease
Is section G mandatory?
Yes, the notice of the lowest rent paid in the previous 12 months is mandatory except in the situations listed above.
What if section G is left blank?
If the landlord didn’t give the notice at signing, you have two months from the start of the lease to apply to the TAL to fix the rent.
Does section G apply to a sublet?
Yes. A tenant who sublets must give the same notice to the subtenant.
Does it apply to new buildings?
Not to buildings erected, or converted to residential use, five years ago or less, but the lease must say so in section F.