You asked. You asked again.
Now put it in writing.
In Quebec, the Civil Code strongly protects tenants, but your rights don't act on their own. A demand letter (mise en demeure) is the step that turns ignored requests into an official file: dated and provable.
You don't need a lawyer to send one. You do need the right articles of law and proof of receipt. That's exactly what our free templates and certified sending give you.
Pick the problem, we handle the formalities
Repairs requested, never done
Your landlord must deliver the dwelling in a good state of habitability and keep it that way (art. 1910 C.C.Q.). If they ignore your requests, a demand letter forces them to take a position.
Mould or unfit housing
Unsanitary conditions put your health and belongings at risk. Document, photograph, then formally demand the fixes before turning to the TAL (Tribunal administratif du logement).
Not enough heat
A dwelling that can't be heated normally is not habitable in the eyes of the law. Demand that a proper temperature be restored, in writing.
Noise, harassment, loss of enjoyment
You have the right to peaceful enjoyment of your dwelling (art. 1854 C.C.Q.). A demand letter establishes the date the problem became official.
Illegal deposit demanded
In Quebec, a landlord can only require the first month's rent: no security deposit, no “key deposit”. Claim your money back.
Abusive rent increase
You have one month to refuse an increase, otherwise the law presumes you accepted it. Refusing is not an affront: it's your right, and the TAL can set the rent.
Repossession of the dwelling
A repossession must meet strict conditions. If you suspect bad faith, you can contest it, and a bad-faith repossession comes at a steep price.
Not renewing your lease
Leaving at the end of the lease? You must give a notice of non-renewal within the deadlines (3 to 6 months for a one-year lease), otherwise the lease is renewed automatically.
1 month
The trickiest deadline in a Quebec lease
You have one month to respond to a rent increase notice. No response? The law presumes you accepted the increase. Most tenant remedies carry this kind of deadline: acting fast isn't impatience, it's prudence.
Legal glossary
The Civil Code articles that protect you, explained in plain English.
TAL offices
Addresses and opening hours for the offices of the Tribunal administratif du logement.
Practical guides
Deadlines, proof, mistakes to avoid: our guides for building your file.
From repeated requests to a dated, provable file
A well-made demand letter shows you know your rights and puts an official date on your request.
Create your demand letter