“The Regie du Logement (Rental Board) is the body which is empowered by the Government of Quebec to oversee the laws that govern landlord-tenant relationships.”
“If, after having signed the lease you discover that the rent has been significantly increased, this is what you can do:”
If, after talking to the landlord, you still think the increase is unjustified, you could contact the Regie du logement at xxx-xxxx"
Saw this some 10 years after the original posting but wanted to write because I feel people need to know this… Rent fixing for new tenants in Quebec is important because owners can get increases for other costs.
In other places where rent is not fixed for a new tenant, when repairs are done because they are required to maintain livable conditions in the apartment, the owner does not necessarily get to increase the rent… I had an apartment in Montreal with a bathroom renovation because of mold and the owner got an increase for that. The owner also got increases for property taxes going up as well as claiming other costs.
So please, in the province of Quebec, stand up for your rights to keep rent increases where they should be. The problem is out of hand in Montreal, where it’s obvious that some areas have had more than the legal increase, and yes, salaries are not as high as Toronto, etc.
You never know if you are starting a new lease what the owner will try to add to the rent afterwards. Even if they verbally promise to not raise the rent past a certain amount, that does not protect you. Owners can get increases when any of their costs go up!