Renting in Quebec vs. Ontario works very differently, even on opposite sides of the Ottawa River. In Quebec your lease usually renews automatically and you have one month to answer a rent increase notice; in Ontario the lease turns month-to-month and the landlord must give 90 days notice. Deposits are the sharpest contrast: Quebec landlords generally cannot ask for one, Ontario landlords can ask for last month's rent.
TAL vs. LTB
| Topic | Quebec (TAL) | Ontario (LTB) |
|---|---|---|
| Lease at the end of its term | Renews automatically on the same terms if nobody acts | Becomes month-to-month on the same terms |
| Rent increase rule | No fixed cap. Landlord proposes; TAL fixes rent with a calculation tool if there is no agreement | Annual guideline: 2.1% in 2026, 1.9% in 2027, for most units |
| Notice for an increase | Written notice in a legal window before the lease ends (3 to 6 months for a 12-month lease) | Written notice at least 90 days ahead; at least 12 months since the last increase |
| Your reply | Accept or refuse in writing within one month | No reply needed; you can dispute at the LTB if the notice or amount is improper |
| Deposit | First month's rent in advance only; no damage or key deposit | Rent deposit up to one month, used only for last month's rent, plus interest; key deposit at cost |
| Tribunal | Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) | Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) |
Sources: ontario.ca "Residential rent increases" (updated June 23, 2026), TAL 2026 percentages page, Educaloi, CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) and CORPIQ (a landlord association) for Quebec notice deadlines.
Lease Renewal: Quebec vs. Ontario
Quebec: renewal by silence
Most Quebec leases are 12 months, commonly July 1 to June 30. If neither side does anything, the lease renews on the same terms at the same rent. A landlord who wants to raise rent or change a condition must send a written notice inside a legal window. For a 12-month lease ending June 30, that is January 1 to March 31, which is 3 to 6 months before the end. A notice outside the window is invalid.
Notice deadlines above come from CORPIQ, a landlord association, and match the Civil Code summaries. The TAL page we could open did not list them, so confirm the dates for your lease type with the TAL.
Ontario: month-to-month by default
When a fixed term ends and nobody signs a new lease, the tenancy converts to month-to-month on the same terms. The landlord cannot end it just because the term expired. To leave, a tenant gives written notice on the LTB's N9 form at least 60 days ahead; for a fixed term the end date cannot be before the last day of the term.
Rent Increases: How Much Can Your Landlord Ask?
Ontario: a yearly guideline
Ontario sets a guideline for most rented units: 2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027. A landlord can raise rent only if at least 12 months have passed since the last increase or the start of the tenancy, with written notice in the proper form at least 90 days before the increase. Units first occupied for residential use after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline, as are some other categories such as community housing, so ask the LTB if you are unsure.
Quebec: no cap, but a formula
Quebec has no fixed legal percentage. A landlord can propose any increase, and if you accept it stands. If you refuse in writing, the landlord has one month to apply to the TAL, which fixes the rent using its calculation method. For notices given on or after January 1, 2026, the TAL lists a base percentage of 3.1%, 5% for capital expenditures and 6.7% for personal services. Other items such as property taxes and insurance can add to the result, so 3.1% is a starting point, not a ceiling.
Deposits: The Biggest Surprise for Newcomers
Quebec: generally none
Under the Civil Code of Quebec, a landlord may not ask for payments beyond rent. That rules out damage deposits and "key money". A landlord can require the first month's rent in advance. Courts have treated deposits as legal only when the tenant offers them freely, so a deposit paid out of fear of losing the apartment is illegal.
Ontario: last month's rent, with interest
What to Do When a Rent Increase Notice Arrives
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a rent control cap in Quebec like in Ontario?
No fixed cap. A landlord can propose any increase. If you refuse, the TAL fixes the rent using its calculation method, which starts from a 3.1% base percentage for 2026 notices.
What is Ontario's rent increase guideline?
2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027 for most units. New buildings first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt.
How much notice must an Ontario landlord give?
At least 90 days in writing, in the proper form, and at least 12 months since the last increase or the start of the tenancy.
What happens if I ignore a rent increase notice in Quebec?
Generally you are deemed to accept after one month. To refuse, answer in writing within one month, then the landlord has one month to apply to the TAL.
Can a Quebec landlord ask for a security deposit?
Generally no. The Civil Code bars payments beyond rent. A landlord may require the first month's rent in advance.
Can an Ontario landlord ask for a damage deposit?
No. Only a rent deposit (last month's rent) and a key deposit are allowed.
I live in Gatineau and work in Ottawa. Which rules apply?
The rules follow the rental unit. Gatineau apartments fall under Quebec rules and the TAL; Ottawa apartments under Ontario rules and the LTB.
Are you renting in Ottawa or Gatineau? Tell me in the comments which side you are on and what increase you were offered. I will cover it in a follow-up.
Related Posts
What the 1.9% cap means →How to Negotiate Rent in Ontario 2026
Scripts and timing →Gatineau vs Ottawa Cost of Living 2026
Where your money goes further →Moving From Quebec to Ontario
Health card, licence and plates →