Quebec Tenant Responsibilities

Hey Ashtray

Hey guys. Any idea where to look for resources on my responsibilities as a tenant in Quebec? Our stove is broken and the tub is clogged and nothing will fix these things, and I'm wondering if I have to pay the repairman or if this is something the landlord would do.

Please, no responses containing information from other provinces or states, Quebec goes out of its way to be different in every way possible, and I would be surprised if any non-Quebec specific advice applies here.

Thanks all!

Hey Ashtray

I found the official site: Regie du logement. Here's the paragraph in the code concerning repairs:

The lessor is bound, during the term of the lease, to make all necessary repairs to the leased property other than lesser maintenance repairs, which are assumed by the lessee unless they result from normal aging of the property or superior force.

I guess then that the tub being clogged would be our responsibility to fix? Maybe someone has had experience with this and can interpret this code for me. Thanks!

vonPoonBurGer

I rent in Quebec as well, and I'd say it means that basic repairs (e.g. getting some Drain-o for the tub) are on you, but anything beyond that (e.g. calling in a plumber or buying/renting a drain snake) are the responsibility of the landlord. Major appliance repairs definitely wouldn't fall under "lesser maintenance", unless we're talking about something really basic like "defrosting the freezer once in a while", so the stove issue would also seem to be on them. Have you talked to your landlord about these problems yet?

Hey Ashtray

Not yet, I wanted to know what the law said first, but I'm not really sure what it's saying.

psyck0

Just tell your landlord. You don't have anything to lose. Read your lease beforehand as well, that might say something about it down in the fine print. If your landlord says no, go talk to whoever the tenant complaints board is in your province. The landlord probably won't fix the clog (just get some drain-o) but they should definitely fix your stove.

Hey Ashtray

We've tried drain o three times, and even built a makeshift snake to put down the drain. When I said nothing will fix these things, I meant nothing that we can do.

I'll talk to the landlord. Thanks for the help.

TaGuelle

As an aside, I've had tons of problems with landlords in Montreal. Be prepared to go to the renters board and withhold rent till these issues get solved.

vonPoonBurGer

If you do decide to throw your weight around that way, I've heard it's incredibly difficult for landlords to evict tenants in Quebec. But still, there's a risk there. Your landlord should be willing to fix these things no problem, though, unless he's a very silly goose.

Hey Ashtray

Our landlord is a pretty cool guy, he's a police officer, I just wanted to know what the letter of the law said about it, and I'm still not really sure what it's saying, haha.

I'll just ask the landlord.

SwashbucklerXX

Yeah, asking for repairs really isn't a big deal. If your landlord is decent, they'd really rather you tell them about the needed repairs than try to fix things yourself and fuck it up.

MichaelLC

SwashbucklerXX wrote: »

Yeah, asking for repairs really isn't a big deal. If your landlord is decent, they'd really rather you tell them about the needed repairs than try to fix things yourself and fuck it up.

I'd leave out the part about your "makeshift snake". Just say you tried some Drain-O (or whatever you guys call it), and say it didn't do anything.

Pretty much common sense maintenance is your responsibility - things like not flushing nails down the toilet, defrosting the freezer (as someone mentioned), etc.

Expiredlake

I'd check the fuses IN your stove to make sure one isn't burnt out, that is a tenant's repair.
Don't ever withhold your rent unless you have permission from the Regie du logement. It's the quickest way to get evicted in Quebec, which is not incredibly difficult like someone posted.
Talk to your landlord and if that doesn't work you would have to send a formal demand letter by registered letter, a) describing the problem, b)giving him a delay in which to fix them (48 hours after proof of reception in your case), c) stating your recourse's (filing at the Regie du logement for a specific performance order and rent reduction)
If you need help writing a letter there are many legal clinics in Montreal. Project Genesis in Cote des Neiges, Arnold Bennett's legal clinics in NDG Saturdays and downtown Sundays and the Westmount Legal Clinic on Wednesday. Consult the net for times and addresses.