How much does a demand letter cost in Quebec?

Before sending a demand letter (mise en demeure), the first question is usually: how much is this going to cost? The answer depends on who drafts it and how you send it. Here is a full picture of the options available in Québec, from a lawyer to sending it online.

Option 1: hire a lawyer

Having a lawyer draft and send your demand letter generally costs between $500 and $1,500. That amount covers the initial consultation, drafting the document, and sending it by registered mail or through a bailiff.

The main advantage is legal weight: a demand letter on a law firm's letterhead sends a strong signal to the recipient. A lawyer can also tailor the legal wording to your specific situation and advise you on strategy.

The downside is the cost, especially for rental disputes where the amounts at stake are often modest. If your landlord owes you $800 for repairs, spending $1,000 in legal fees on the demand letter alone doesn't always make sense.

Total cost: $500 to $1,500 (drafting + sending).

Option 2: write it yourself and send it through a bailiff

You can write your demand letter yourself (this is perfectly legal) and call on a bailiff only for the service. The bailiff's minutes of service are an authentic act: the strongest proof of sending that exists.

Service by a bailiff costs between $70 and $150 depending on the distance and complexity. Some bailiffs charge a flat rate, others bill by the hour plus travel. Expect a few days to book an appointment and complete the service.

Total cost: $70 to $150 (service only: you write the letter yourself).

Option 3: write it yourself and send it by registered mail

Registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt is the most economical traditional option. You print your demand letter, go to the post office, and send it as registered mail.

The cost ranges between $15 and $25 depending on weight and destination. Add the price of printing if you don't have a printer (a few dollars at a copy shop). Delivery takes 5 to 10 business days.

The downside: you have to go to the post office during opening hours, and the recipient may refuse to sign or be absent. In that case, the mail is held for 15 days then returned, and you have to start over.

Total cost: $15 to $25 (+ printing).

Option 4: send it online by certified email

Certified email lets you send your demand letter electronically with proof of receipt conforming to the LCCJTI. It's the fastest option and one of the most affordable.

With Locato, sending a demand letter by certified email costs $14.99. That price includes the certified transmission, the timestamped proof report (send date, SMTP delivery confirmation, digital fingerprint of the document), and the retention of the proof.

The whole process is done online, in a few minutes. You upload your PDF, fill in the recipient's details, pay, and the certified email is sent. No travel, no waiting, no risk of a refused signature.

Total cost: $14.99 (sending + proof).

Option 5: legal clinic or legal aid

If your income is modest, you may qualify for legal aid, which covers the cost of consultation and drafting. University legal clinics also offer free help drafting demand letters, supervised by lawyers.

Legal aid is free if your income is below the eligibility threshold, or available for a contribution if your income falls in the intermediate range. Wait times can be longer (a few weeks to get an appointment), but it's an option to consider if cost is a concern.

Total cost: free to a few hundred dollars depending on your eligibility (sending costs remain your responsibility).

Cost summary

Which option should you choose?

For most rental disputes in Québec: unpaid rent, repairs left undone, an abusive increase: the amount at stake doesn't justify a lawyer's fees for the demand letter alone. A demand letter doesn't need to be written by a lawyer to be valid. What matters is that it clearly identifies the problem, the request, and the deadline to respond. You can start from a free template grounded in the Civil Code, then pay only for sending.

If you write your demand letter yourself, certified email is the most efficient way to send it: it combines speed (sent in minutes rather than days), low cost (under $15), and proof conforming to the LCCJTI. For cases where the proof has to be airtight, a double send (certified email + registered mail) covers all the bases for roughly $25 to $40.

See our guide Writing a demand letter yourself to learn how to draft your document, or our comparison Certified email vs. registered mail to learn more about the sending methods.

Frequently asked questions