Kaza · tenancy rules
Quebec
The deposit maximum, who holds it, the rent-increase cap, the notice period and the late-fee rule in Quebec, each quoted from the regulator's own published material.
Last changed 2026-01-01. Kaza re-verifies every rule by 2027-01-31, and the build fails if it is overdue.
Can a landlord ask for a security deposit in Quebec?
No. A landlord may require the first month's rent, in advance, and nothing else: no security deposit, no damage deposit, no pet deposit, no last month's rent, and no post-dated cheques for the term. The prohibition holds even where the tenant offers or agrees.
“A lessor may not exact any instalment in excess of one month's rent, nor may he demand any amount of money other than the rent in the form of a deposit or otherwise, to guarantee performance of the lessee's obligations.”
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Quebec?
Quebec sets no limit on the amount of a rent increase, but rent may rise no more than once every 12 months.
“Quebec sets no province-wide percentage cap on rent increases. A landlord who wishes to increase the rent must give notice within the period fixed by law (three to six months before the end of a lease of twelve months or more; one to two months for a lease of less than twelve months). The tenant has one month to reply. If the tenant refuses the increase and remains in the dwelling, the landlord must apply to the Tribunal within one month of receiving the refusal for the Tribunal to fix the rent; otherwise the lease is renewed at the previous rent.”
How much notice does a rent increase need in Quebec?
At least 3 months' written notice before the new rent starts. A notice served late does not take effect early: the date moves, not the rule.
“Quebec sets no province-wide percentage cap on rent increases. A landlord who wishes to increase the rent must give notice within the period fixed by law (three to six months before the end of a lease of twelve months or more; one to two months for a lease of less than twelve months). The tenant has one month to reply. If the tenant refuses the increase and remains in the dwelling, the landlord must apply to the Tribunal within one month of receiving the refusal for the Tribunal to fix the rent; otherwise the lease is renewed at the previous rent.”
Can a landlord charge a late fee in Quebec?
A late payment fee is not lawful in Quebec. A clause setting a penalty for late rent is without effect in Quebec: the landlord cannot add a late fee to the ledger, whatever the lease says. What a landlord may do is claim the actual damage the delay caused, and that is decided by the Tribunal, not charged by them.
“A clause in a lease whereby the lessee is bound to pay a penalty or damages in excess of the actual damage suffered by the lessor for late payment of rent is without effect.”
This is not legal advice
Kaza applies published provincial tenancy rules and shows the source it used, and it refuses to answer when a rule is unverified or overdue for review rather than guessing. It does not know the facts of your tenancy, any order made about it, or any agreement between the parties. For advice on a specific situation, speak to the tenancy regulator for the province or to a lawyer.
These same rules are enforced inside the product: Kaza refuses to raise an unlawful charge or serve an unlawful notice, rather than warning about one. How the compliance engine works.