No response to your demand letter: the next steps

Your demand letter (mise en demeure) is sent. Now what? Depending on how the recipient reacts, several scenarios are possible: from an amicable resolution all the way to opening a file with the TAL (Tribunal administratif du logement). Here is exactly what can happen and how to respond in each situation.

The response deadline

A demand letter generally gives the recipient 10 to 30 days to comply with your request. That deadline is the one you set yourself in the letter. There is no single legal deadline: what matters is that the deadline is reasonable.

The deadline starts running from the date the recipient receives the letter, not the date you send it. If you sent it by certified email, the date recorded in your proof report (delivery confirmation) is the one that governs. For registered mail, it's the date the acknowledgement of receipt is signed.

Mark that date in your calendar. It's from the moment the deadline expires that you can move to the next step if the recipient hasn't acted.

Scenario 1: the recipient complies

This is the best case. The landlord carries out the requested repairs, reimburses the amount claimed, or withdraws the abusive rent increase. The demand letter achieved its goal without going to the tribunal.

If compliance is partial (for example, the landlord promises to do the work but asks for more time), assess whether the proposal is reasonable. A written agreement: even a simple email exchange confirming the commitment and the new deadline: protects you if the landlord doesn't follow through.

Scenario 2: the recipient responds to contest

The recipient may respond by rejecting your request or disputing the facts. This is common, and it's not necessarily a bad thing: a response opens the door to negotiation.

Keep all correspondence. Every exchange can become part of your file. If the recipient admits certain facts in their response (even partially), that could work in your favour before the tribunal.

If you can't reach an agreement, the file is ripe for the TAL. The demand letter and the exchanges that followed will show the judge that you tried to resolve the dispute in good faith.

Scenario 3: no response

This is the most common scenario. The recipient simply doesn't respond. The absence of a response after the deadline set in your demand letter expires gives you the green light to file an application with the Tribunal administratif du logement.

The recipient's silence isn't an admission, but it shows the judge that you took reasonable steps to settle the dispute before turning to the tribunal. That's exactly the role of the demand letter.

How to file an application with the TAL

If the recipient hasn't responded or refuses to comply, you can open a file with the Tribunal administratif du logement. The process is designed to be accessible without a lawyer.

1. Fill out the application form. The TAL offers an online form on its website. You must identify the parties, describe the dispute, and specify what you are asking for (reimbursement, repair order, rent reduction, resiliation of the lease, etc.).
2. Pay the filing fee. The fee to open a file with the TAL is $89 for an individual (in 2026). That amount can be claimed from the other party if you win your case.
3. Attach your supporting documents. This is where your proof of sending the demand letter becomes crucial. Attach your demand letter, the proof of sending (certified email report, acknowledgement of receipt for registered mail, or the bailiff's minutes of service), and any subsequent correspondence.
4. Wait for the summons. The TAL will set a hearing date. In 2026, average wait times range from 2 to 6 months depending on the region and the nature of the dispute. You will receive a notice of summons by mail or electronically.

Preparing your file for the hearing

Between filing your application and the hearing, take the time to build a solid file. Here are the documents to gather:

• Your lease (or proof of the rental relationship if you don't have a written lease)
• Your demand letter and its proof of sending
• Any correspondence with the landlord (emails, texts, letters) related to the dispute
• Photos, videos, or inspection reports if the dispute concerns the condition of the dwelling
• Receipts, invoices, or estimates if you are claiming a sum of money
• A list of witnesses, if applicable

Organize your documents in chronological order and prepare a summary of the facts. The administrative judge will appreciate a well-structured file. To learn more, see our guide The 10 mistakes that lose a case at the TAL.

The hearing at the TAL

The hearing takes place before an administrative judge, in person or by videoconference. The process is less formal than an ordinary court: no robe and no complex legal language required. You can represent yourself.

You will present your version of the facts, your supporting documents, and, where applicable, your witnesses. The other party will do the same. The judge will ask both parties questions to clarify the facts. The decision is generally rendered in writing within the weeks following the hearing.

The deadlines to respect

Some rental disputes are subject to limitation periods that are important to know:

• Rent increase: you have 1 month after receiving the notice to refuse it (art. 1945 C.C.Q.)
• Unpaid rent: the landlord can file an application with the TAL as soon as the rent is 3 weeks overdue (art. 1971 C.C.Q.)
• Repairs: no strict deadline, but act quickly: a long silence after the demand letter can be read as accepting the situation
• General prescription: lease-related claims are subject to a 3-year prescription period (art. 2925 C.C.Q.)

In summary

The demand letter isn't an end in itself: it's the first formal step in a process that leads, if necessary, to the TAL. Note the deadline you granted, keep your proof of sending and all correspondence, and if the recipient doesn't budge, file your application with the TAL. The process is designed to be accessible without a lawyer, and your well-documented demand letter will be a major asset in your file.