Rights and obligations: A refresher

The start of a new year often triggers questions about lease renewals.

What rights do tenants enjoy?
What are the cooperative’s obligations?
What about deadlines?

For starters, we should state from the get-go that in Quebec leases renew automatically. So barring the landlord or tenant receiving a notice to the contrary within a specified timeframe, a lease will renew under the same terms, this includes the monthly rent remaining unchanged.
Otherwise, tenants have 3 to 6 months before the end of the lease to inform the cooperative they intend to leave.
Similarly, the cooperative must notify members of any changes to the terms of the lease, e.g. rent increases or building rule amendments such as a new clause prohibiting cigarette smoke, within the same timeframe.

The notice of change must be dispatched to each and every member or tenant of the cooperative. Also, as of December 2024, the notice must contain new information. Follow this link for the latest version.

Proof acknowledging receipt of the notice is required. The notice must either be hand-delivered, with the tenant’s signature acknowledging receipt, or be sent by registered mail or by bailiff. Transmissions by telephone, text message, mail or email will be deemed invalid.

In addition, it should be noted that in a cooperative, members cannot turn to Quebec’s rental tribunal, i.e. the Tribunal administratif du logement, to set the rent or determine the terms of the lease. Consequently, members dissatisfied with proposed changes to the rent, building rules, etc. must move out at the end of their lease.

To learn more on the subject
• Notice templates recommended by Quebec’s rental tribunal
• Éducaloi article on terminating one’s lease

For additional guidance
Check out our FAQ section for more advice on your rights and responsibilities as a member of a housing cooperative.
For answers to specific questions, please call 514-843-6929.