5 objective criteria for picking the right tenant in Quebec

Many Quebec owners think evaluating a candidate is a matter of 'intuition' or 'gut feel'. In Quebec, that's not a sound approach — neither legally, nor economically. The Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and CDPDJ guidelines strictly frame the criteria an owner can use.

The good news: the five criteria you're allowed to assess are also, by far, the most predictive of leasing-relationship quality. This article details each one, how to measure it objectively, and how to cross-reference them to decide with confidence.

Why criteria must be objective

In Quebec, the Charter forbids using certain criteria — origin, religion, family status, pregnancy, presence of children, age (except legal majority), disability, sexual orientation, social status — to refuse a candidate. The CDPDJ can investigate complaints and impose fines.

Beyond the legal framework, objective criteria are also the ones that actually predict tenant quality. An owner who relies on intuition is statistically wrong more often than an owner who relies on verifiable data.

Criterion 1 — Payment capacity

This is the most important criterion: can the candidate pay the rent every month, over time? The classic rule in Quebec: rent should not exceed about 30% of the tenant's (or household's) net monthly income. Beyond 35%, default risk increases significantly.

How to measure it objectively

• Last 3 paystubs or tax notice to validate stable net income
• Employer letter if income is recent or variable
• Rent-to-net-income ratio calculation (target: < 30%)
• Credit verification with written consent (Equifax or TransUnion)

Criterion 2 — File seriousness and completeness

A candidate who takes the time to put together a complete, professional, and consistent file at first contact shows seriousness that almost always carries over into the leasing relationship. Conversely, a candidate who struggles to provide basic documents — or invents excuses — reveals a weak signal.

What a serious file should contain

• Official ID (front and back)
• Last 3 paystubs or tax notice
• Contact info for at least one prior-landlord reference (verifiable phone)
• Written consent form for credit verification
• Brief introduction letter (optional, but a positive signal)

A sloppy or incomplete file isn't grounds for discriminatory refusal — it's grounds to ask for clarification. If the candidate doesn't follow up, that's objective data on their administrative reliability.

Criterion 3 — Prior-landlord references

A quality reference is an extremely valuable objective data point — often more telling than credit. A prior landlord who lived 12+ months with the candidate knows: did they pay on time? Take care of the unit? Respect neighbours? Honour notice?

How to validate them

• Call the prior landlord directly — don't settle for an email
• Ask open-ended questions: 'Would you rent to this person again?'
• Cross-check the phone number with public property records to avoid fake references
• At least one verified reference — two if the file has a point of caution

Criterion 4 — Rental history

A candidate's rental history is partially public, via Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) rulings. This is a free, legal search that reveals profiles subject to proceedings for non-payment, damages, or eviction.

• TAL search by name (public registry, free) — no consent required
• Average tenancy duration in past units: stability is a positive signal
• Consistency between declared history and obtained references
• Time at current address — a move after 11 months deserves a question

A TAL ruling isn't an automatic disqualification — some contexts are nuanced. But a history of multiple proceedings is an objective signal that must be taken seriously.

Criterion 5 — Employment or income stability

Sufficient income isn't enough if it's unstable. Stability — time at current employer, contract type (permanent, contract, self-employed) — predicts the durability of payment capacity.

• Permanent full-time, 12+ months at employer: very positive signal
• Contract or recent (< 6 months): ask about context and prior employment history
• Self-employed: last 2 full tax notices to validate regularity
• Student or young professional: co-signer or guarantor often relevant

The power of cross-referencing

None of these five criteria, taken alone, tells the full story. Average credit with excellent references can be a better file than perfect credit with evasive references. It's the cross-reference that reveals the real quality of a profile.

Document every decision

At AA Location, we document every decision on the basis of the five criteria, with a summary report for each shortlisted candidate. The owner receives this documentation and keeps the final decision. In case of a CDPDJ complaint or disagreement, the file is defensible because it rests on objective data.