Mould and unfit housing in Montréal
Montréal has the oldest rental stock in Québec, with many buildings dating from before 1960. That reality makes mould and unfit housing an endemic problem in the city. The triplexes and duplexes of older neighbourhoods (Hochelaga, Centre-Sud, Pointe-Saint-Charles) are especially prone to moisture and mould problems.
Montréal's public health authority treats mould in housing as a major public health issue. Damp basements, inadequate ventilation and unrepaired water infiltration are the most common causes. Tenants living in these conditions often report breathing problems, allergies and asthma, particularly among children.
In Montréal, municipal inspectors can be called in to document unfit conditions. If your landlord refuses to act after being told about the problem, a formal demand letter (mise en demeure) is the next step before taking the matter to the TAL (Tribunal administratif du logement).
Local resources in Montréal
- Bureau du TAL · Montréal :Olympic Village, 5199 rue Sherbrooke Est
- Comité logement de la Petite Patrie :Free help for tenants
- RCLALQ :Québec-wide network of housing committees and tenant associations
- TAL office in Montréal: address and hours
Your remedies
As a tenant in Montréal, you have the same protections as every tenant in Quebec under the Civil Code of Québec and the Act respecting the Tribunal administratif du logement. You can send a demand letter to your landlord, file an application with the TAL, or turn to local community resources to guide you through the process.
To learn more about your rights and the steps to follow, see our complete guide on mould and unfit housing.