Mould and unfit housing in Québec
Québec City's harsh climate, with its long, damp winters, encourages mould to appear in poorly maintained units. Buildings in the Lower Town and parts of Beauport are especially exposed, because of their age and sometimes their closeness to the St. Lawrence River.
Québec City's extreme temperature swings (from -30°C in winter to +30°C in summer) put buildings under serious strain. Condensation, roof leaks and poor drainage create conditions ripe for mould. A well-insulated and well-ventilated unit shouldn't have these problems.
If you discover mould in your unit in Québec City, document everything with dated photos and notify your landlord in writing. The BAIL (Bureau d'animation et information logement) can guide you through the steps to get the situation fixed.
Local resources in Québec
- Bureau du TAL · Québec :900 boulevard René-Lévesque Est
- Comité des citoyens et citoyennes du quartier Saint-Sauveur :Support for tenants in Québec City
- BAIL · Bureau d'animation et information logement :Housing advice service
- TAL office in Québec: address and hours
Your remedies
As a tenant in Québec, 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.