Can my landlord repossess my dwelling to live in it?
Short answer
Yes, subject to conditions. In Quebec, a landlord may repossess the dwelling to live in it themselves, to house their parents or their children, another relative or person connected by marriage of whom they are the main support, or a former spouse of whom they remain the main support, while respecting strict notice periods.
In detail
Repossession of a dwelling is not the same thing as eviction. Its purpose is to house a specific person, and the notice must name the beneficiary, state their relationship to the landlord and give the date planned for the repossession.
The notice periods: 6 months before the end of the lease if the lease runs for more than 6 months; 1 month before the end of the lease if it runs for 6 months or less; 6 months before the date of repossession if the lease is of indeterminate term.
The tenant has one month to reply. If they do not reply, they are deemed to have refused, and the landlord must then apply to the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL, Quebec's rental board) within the following month. Before the tribunal, it is up to the landlord to show that they genuinely intend to repossess the dwelling for the reason given.
What to document
The complete notice of repossession (the beneficiary's name, the relationship, the date), the date you received it, your reply and proof that it was sent. Also write down, with dates, anything the landlord tells you verbally about their real intentions.
Put your facts in writing, free. Writing your version down early, keeping your documents dated and preparing your questions for a lawyer: the tool is there to document, never to advise.
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Official sources
- TAL — Repossession of a dwelling
- Éducaloi — Repossession of a dwelling
- JuridiQC — Change of landlord: 9 questions and answers on your rights as a tenant
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What this page is not
This is general legal information about the law of Quebec and Canada, dated and sourced. It is not legal advice, not a strategy, and not a prediction about the outcome of a case. In Quebec, only lawyers and notaries may give legal advice (Act respecting the Barreau du Québec, ss. 128 and 133). Laws and amounts change: the official source always prevails over us.