Annex G — officially the 'rent modification notice' section of the TAL standard lease — is probably the most misunderstood part of the Quebec residential lease. Many landlords leave it blank, thinking it's not important. Yet it's one of the few clauses that can, on its own, void an otherwise legitimate rent increase.
This article explains precisely what Annex G is, who it applies to, how to fill it correctly, and the exact consequences of omission or error.
What Annex G requires
Annex G of the TAL lease requires the landlord to disclose to the new tenant:
- The lowest rent paid in the 12 months preceding the conclusion of the lease
- The period during which that rent was paid
- If no rent was paid in the past 12 months (vacant unit), indicate clearly
The goal is simple: let the tenant assess the new rent against history. It's a transparency mechanism, not a direct cap — the landlord can rent for more, but the tenant will know there's an increase and can contest it.
When does Annex G APPLY?
| Situation | Annex G applicable? |
|---|---|
| Unit over 5 years old, already rented in past 12 months | YES — mandatory |
| Unit over 5 years old, vacant for over 12 months | YES — indicate 'no rent paid' |
| New unit (under 5 years from first occupancy) | NO — Clause F exemption |
| Unit converted from another use (e.g. former commercial) | YES — from first residential occupancy |
| Renewal with same tenant | NO — Annex G concerns new leases only |
The tenant’s contestation deadlines
Contrary to a very widespread belief, there is no single 10-day deadline. There are three — and it is the quality of your Annex G that decides which one applies.
| Situation | Tenant’s deadline | Starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Notice given, and you ask a rent higher than the one declared | 10 days | Conclusion of the lease |
| Notice not given | 2 months | Start of the lease |
| Notice containing a false statement | 2 months | When the tenant learns of it |
In every case the tenant requests rent setting via the court’s official method. The TAL can then bring the rent below the signed amount — sometimes significantly — and that reduction is binding on the landlord.
How to fill Annex G correctly
- 1Retrieve the prior lease or most recent payment proofs (bank statements, receipts, deposits).
- 2Identify the LOWEST monthly rent paid during the prior 12 months — not the average, not the last rent, the LOWEST.
- 3State the exact period (start and end dates) during which that rent applied.
- 4If multiple tenants occupied the unit, the lowest rent across ALL periods.
- 5If the unit was vacant during the 12 months, state explicitly 'no rent paid'.
- 6Have Annex G signed by both parties — tenant AND landlord.
Special cases and grey zones
You don't know the prior rent
You just bought the building and don't have access to prior leases? Indicate it on Annex G: 'landlord does not have the information'. You remain liable for accuracy — search with the prior owner, the co-ownership syndicate, or municipal records.
Prior rent included different services
If the prior rent included heating and the new rent doesn't, state it clearly in Annex G: 'prior rent $1,350 heating included; new rent $1,450 heating excluded'. This structures the comparison for tenant and any TAL arbiter.
Unit underwent major renovations
An increase beyond guidelines can be justified by documented major work. You still need to fill Annex G with the actual prior rent, but you can attach work documentation to justify the increase if contested.