Tenant and landlord: a general picture of the obligations
The essentials
- The landlord must, among other things, deliver a dwelling in a good state of habitability, provide peaceful enjoyment of it for the length of the lease, and make the repairs that fall to them.
- The tenant must, among other things, pay the rent, use the dwelling with care and diligence, and keep it clean.
- The TAL decides on the facts presented.
In short, from this page. Every statement is sourced below.
Document your housing situation, free. Dated photos of damage or mould, notices and demand letters, rent payments, exchanges with the landlord: every exhibit gets its date and its digital fingerprint, and you get a clear timeline to file with the TAL.
Open the application Up to 3 cases, no credit card · see the plans
A rented home is a contract with obligations on both sides. This page describes the general picture set out in the law, without applying it to your situation: for your specific case, see the resources at the bottom.
The landlord's side (in general)
The landlord must, among other things, deliver a dwelling in a good state of habitability, provide peaceful enjoyment of it for the length of the lease, and make the repairs that fall to them. These obligations come from the Code civil du Québec.
The tenant's side (in general)
The tenant must, among other things, pay the rent, use the dwelling with care and diligence, and keep it clean. They are answerable for damage attributable to them.
Why both sides should document
The TAL decides on the facts presented. A photographed condition report on move-in and move-out, archived payments, dated requests: neutral documentation serves whoever is right, on either side of the lease. It is a tool for facts, like a camera.
Where this guide stops
This page describes the general rules. It does not say who is right in a given situation, or which remedy to use: that is a question for a lawyer, a housing committee or a landlords' association. For advice on your situation: legal aid (eligibility based on income), a community justice centre, Juripop, or the Barreau's referral service.
Official sources (consulted July 18, 2026)
Every statement in this guide is backed by an official source. How we verify and correct.
- Code civil du Québec, provisions on lease (obligations of the landlord and the tenant), on LégisQuébec (legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca)
- Tribunal administratif du logement (tal.gouv.qc.ca), general information
Found an error in this guide? Report it: corrected within 72 hours, and the correction log is public.
Reminder: this is general information; it is not information for anyone in particular.