TAL Notice Calendar — every key date of your lease

Frequently asked questions

Practical answers for tenants and owners across Greater Montreal.

When must I send my rent-increase notice for a 12-month lease?

For a lease of 12 months or more, the modification notice (including a rent increase) must be sent between 3 and 6 months before the end of the lease. Past the 3-month mark before the end, the notice is no longer valid and the lease auto-renews under existing terms. For a July 1st lease, the window runs from January 1st to March 31st of the following year.

What happens if the tenant doesn't respond to my notice?

The tenant has one month from receiving the notice to respond. If they don't respond within this delay, silence is treated as acceptance: the lease renews under the new conditions (including the increase). That's why proof of receipt is critical — registered mail or bailiff delivery secures the start of the response window.

If the tenant refuses the increase, what's my recourse?

You have one month after receiving the refusal to file an application with the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL). The TAL will then set the rent using its official method (taxes, insurance, energy, major work, indices). Without filing within this delay, the lease renews at the current rent — the increase is forfeited.

What's the difference between a modification notice and a repossession notice?

A modification notice changes a lease condition (rent, length, services) — the tenant can accept or refuse. A repossession notice is different: it allows the owner to recover the unit to live there or house an eligible relative (spouse, child, parent, ascendant, or ex-spouse you remain the primary support of). Deadlines and grounds are strict.

When must I send a repossession notice?

At least 6 months before the end of the lease if the lease is 6 months or more, or at least 1 month before the end for shorter leases. For an indeterminate lease, the notice must precede the intended repossession date by 6 months. The notice MUST state the repossession date and the beneficiary's name — both mandatory under penalty of nullity.

Does the calendar change for a lease shorter than 12 months?

Yes. For a fixed-term lease shorter than 12 months, the modification notice must be sent between 1 and 2 months before the end of the lease (instead of 3 to 6 months for the standard lease). The tenant's non-renewal notice follows the same window. The tool automatically adjusts the dates based on the duration you select.

Does this tool replace an official notice?

No. The tool calculates legal dates to help you plan — it does not replace drafting a compliant notice nor delivering it with proof of receipt. A poorly drafted notice (missing required content, vague grounds, missing signature) can be voided by the TAL even if the date is respected. Our AA Location service coordinates the entire process with an OACIQ broker.

How did Loi 31 (February 2024) change repossession and evictions?

Loi 31 introduced three significant restrictions still in force in 2026. (1) Eviction for subdivision, demerger or change of use now requires the owner to send a notice 6 months before lease end and pay relocation compensation; the tenant has 1 month to refuse, after which the owner must apply to the TAL within 1 month and bear the burden of proof. (2) Lease assignment by the tenant can only be refused by the owner with serious cause (and the owner's silence within 15 days = acceptance) — repossessing to recover an undervalued lease is no longer a workable strategy. (3) Senior-tenant protection: tenants 65+ with 10+ years of tenancy AND household income at or below the maximum HLM threshold cannot be evicted for repossession. The calendar tool reports CCQ deadlines; the Loi 31 restrictions apply on top.

Can I evict a tenant to subdivide my plex?

Yes but only via Loi 31's eviction-for-subdivision regime, which is stricter than ordinary repossession. The notice must be sent 6 months before lease end, must describe the planned work, and must offer the legally-required relocation compensation (minimum 3 months of rent + moving expenses). If the tenant refuses within 1 month, you must apply to the TAL within 1 additional month and prove the project is real, the permits exist, and you are not using subdivision as a pretext to clear a below-market lease. The TAL backlog in 2026 adds 5-8 months to the timeline. Plan a minimum 12-month horizon between deciding and recovering possession.

Does Loi 31 affect my ability to refuse a lease assignment?

Yes — significantly. Under Loi 31, when the tenant sends you a notice of assignment naming a candidate, you have 15 days to respond. Silence = acceptance. To refuse, you must invoke a serious reason (e.g., the candidate fails a documented capacity test or has a recent court judgment for non-payment), AND your refusal can be contested at the TAL. The historical practice of refusing assignment to reset the rent at market with a new tenant is no longer legally workable. The 15-day window starts from receipt of the tenant's notice — proof of receipt is critical, so registered mail or bailiff service from your side is recommended.