Housing

(Collectif Bienvenue, 2023f; Ville de Sherbrooke, 2023g)

(Collectif Bienvenue, 2023f; Fédération de l’habitation coopérative du Québec, s. d.; IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , 2023o; TCRITable de concertation des organismes au service des personnes réfugiées et immigrantes , 2021; Ville de Sherbrooke, 2023g)

(Collectif Bienvenue, 2023f; Éducaloi, 2023i; Ville de Sherbrooke, 2023g)

Before moving in and paying rent, you must sign:

• A lease

• OR a sublease agreement 
• OR an assignment of lease agreement

Home insurance protects you in the event of an unfortunate incident, such as a fire, theft, water damage, etc. Without insurance, you would have to pay all the costs associated with the incident, which can be extremely high. If something happens and you lose the belongings in your apartment, home insurance can also reimburse you an equivalent amount of money. 

A number of companies offer affordable home insurance. There are insurance comparison engines online that can help you find good prices.

Once your lease is signed, you must open a customer account with Hydro-Québec to obtain and pay for electricity.

In Québec, electricity is used to turn on the lights, heat apartments in the winter and run household appliances like the refrigerator.

If the property does not come with heat and electricity, you will have to pay for these utilities. You can check your home’s monthly heating and electricity costs on the Hydro-Québec website: Estimate the electricity cost of a home.

Some apartments are heated with natural gas. For these apartments, you need to open an account with Énergir.

(Éducaloi, 2023g; Tribunal administratif du logement, 2023a)

Every year, your property owner will usually send you a notice of lease renewal a few months before the end of your lease. 

If there are changes to the lease or conditions, you must receive a notice of lease renewal:

• One to two months before the end of your lease, for a lease less than one year or for an indefinite term

OR 

• Three to six months before the end of your lease, for leases of one year or more 

Read this notice carefully and check for a rent increase or a change in conditions.

If you do not want to renew your lease or if you disagree with the changes, you must notify your property owner in writing as soon as possible, at least a few months before the end of the lease.

If your property owner does not send you a notice of lease renewal, the lease will be renewed automatically with the same conditions.

(Collectif Bienvenue, 2023f; MIFIMinistère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (du Québec) , 2023; Services juridiques de Pointe-Saint-Charles et Petite-Bourgogne, 2017; Ville de Sherbrooke, 2023g)

(Revenu Québec, s. d.-a, 2023c, 2023a; Société d’habitation du Québec, 2023a)

The Shelter Allowance gives you at least $100 a month to help pay for rent.

You can apply to the Shelter Allowance program:

• If your rent is 30% or more of your income (you are not eligible for it if you have social housing or receive the RSPRent Supplement Program )
• If you are a low-income family
• If you or your spouse have at least one dependent child
  OR
  you or your spouse are aged 50 or over

You must reapply for the Shelter Allowance every year.

For more information about the Shelter Allowance and steps to follow: 1 855 291-6467 Shelter Allowance Program | Revenu Québec

(Collectif Bienvenue, 2023f; Éducaloi, 2023i; Haut-Commissariat des Nations unies aux droits de l’homme, 2009; New Canadians Centre Peterborough, 2018; Services juridiques de Pointe-Saint-Charles et Petite-Bourgogne, 2017; Tribunal administratif du logement, 2023b)

In Québec, property owners and tenants have rights and obligations when it comes to housing.

Property owner’s obligations:

• Make sure the property is in good condition when you arrive
• Keep your home in good condition: 
  • Deal with infestations of insects (bedbugs, cockroaches, etc.) or vermin (mice, rats), as well as mould and mildew
  • Perform any repairs to make the apartment functional
• Notify you 24 hours in advance before entering your apartment, for example to make repairs
• Refrain from discriminating against you
• Refrain from evicting you without a good reason

Your obligations as a tenant:

• Pay the rent each month on the agreed date
• Keep the apartment clean and in good condition
  • Notify the property owner if something is not working or if insects, vermin or mould are found in the apartment
  • Repair any damage that you cause 
• Keep noise down to respect your neighbours 
• If you don’t want to renew your lease, send a notice as soon as possible 
• Return the property in the same condition as when you arrived
• Ask your property owner’s permission before making any changes to your home, such as painting

If you have a problem with your apartment, there are various potential solutions. 

Examples of problems you may face:

• The apartment is unfit to live in (repairs required, vermin, mould, etc.)
• Threat of eviction (the property owner wants to evict you)
• Excessive rent increase when the lease is renewed

Potential solutions:

• Discuss the problem with the property owner
• Ask for help from a housing committee or organization
• If necessary, find a lawyer. You may be eligible for legal aid. See Access to a lawyer and other legal resources in the Read This Information First section
• Ask for help from a community justice centre 
• File a complaint with the TALTribunal administratif du logement , which is there to defend your housing rights 

Asserting your housing rights will not affect your immigration status.

See the Guide du locataire avisé Chez moi by the Comité d’accueil international des Bois-Francs and other partner organizations: Guide du locataire avisé [French only]

For additional information and exercises on many aspects of this Carnets de route section, see chapter “Housing”, pages 81 to 92, in the Canadian Orientation Abroad “Participant’s Workbook”.

You can also listen to the audio guide “O Canada – Conversations Dialogue” and download the application “O Canada”.