In Quebec, keeping a rental unit in good, habitable condition isn’t a courtesy — it’s a legal obligation. The law requires landlords to deliver the dwelling in good condition and to maintain it as fit for habitation throughout the lease. Responding to repair requests promptly and properly is therefore part of the job, not an optional extra.
Beyond the legal duty, how you handle repairs shapes everything else: tenant satisfaction, retention, and your reputation as a landlord. A tenant whose heating is fixed the same day stays for years; one left waiting in a cold apartment starts looking elsewhere — or files a complaint. At Frederic Murray Property Management, managing more than 200 units across Quebec City has shown us that a good repair system is one of the highest-return investments a landlord can make.
A landlord’s legal obligation to maintain the dwelling
Under Quebec law, the landlord must keep the rental unit fit to live in for the entire lease. This obligation exists whether or not it’s written into the lease, and it can’t be signed away.
In practical terms, the landlord is responsible for:
- Delivering the unit in good, habitable condition at the start of the lease;
- Maintaining it as fit for habitation throughout the tenancy;
- Making the necessary repairs, except minor upkeep that falls to the tenant.
This framework is enforced by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), which can intervene when a landlord fails to meet these duties. Understanding the obligation is the first step to managing repairs correctly rather than reactively.
Which repairs are the landlord’s responsibility, and which are the tenant’s
A frequent source of conflict is confusion over who fixes what. Drawing a clear line prevents disputes and helps both sides know what to expect.
Generally, the landlord handles:
- Major and structural repairs, from the roof to the plumbing and heating systems;
- Normal wear and tear that comes with time and use;
- Anything affecting habitability, such as heat, water, or safety.
The tenant, by contrast, is responsible for:
- Minor maintenance and everyday upkeep, like keeping the unit clean;
- Damage they or their guests cause, whether through negligence or accident.
This distinction matters because charging a tenant for something that’s legally your responsibility — or vice versa — is a common and avoidable mistake. When the boundary is clear from the start, most repair issues resolve smoothly.
Building a system for handling repair requests
The difference between a smooth operation and constant friction is usually a system. Repairs handled ad hoc lead to delays, lost requests, and frustrated tenants; a simple process keeps everything on track.
An effective repair workflow includes:
- A clear intake channel, so tenants know exactly how to report an issue.
- Prompt acknowledgement, confirming you’ve received the request.
- Prioritization, separating emergencies from routine fixes.
- Documentation, recording every request, response, and completed repair.
That last point is essential. A written record of when a request came in and how quickly you acted protects you if a dispute ever reaches the TAL. Digital tools make this far easier today, as our article on proptech and property management explains.
Emergency and urgent repairs
Some repairs can’t wait, and the law treats them differently. An emergency — no heat in winter, a burst pipe, a safety hazard — demands immediate action, because it goes directly to the habitability of the home.
A few key points on urgent repairs:
- Heat in winter is non-negotiable: a lack of heating is an emergency affecting habitability.
- Tenants have limited rights to act: if a tenant can’t reach you, they may be able to carry out urgent and necessary repairs to preserve the dwelling and be reimbursed for reasonable costs.
- Speed protects everyone: fast action prevents property damage and reduces your liability.
Because a tenant can, under specific conditions, arrange urgent repairs and recover the cost, being reachable and responsive is in your direct financial interest. The best way to avoid surprise bills is to handle emergencies before the tenant has to.
Access to the unit to make repairs
To fix a problem, you often need to enter the unit — and Quebec law sets clear rules for that. The tenant’s right to peaceful enjoyment of their home means you can’t simply show up unannounced for routine work.
The general rules are:
- Non-urgent repairs and inspections typically require advance notice, usually around 24 hours.
- Entry times are restricted to reasonable hours, generally between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Urgent repairs allow immediate access when necessary to address an emergency.
Respecting these rules keeps you on the right side of the law and maintains trust with your tenant. Coordinating access courteously also tends to get you faster cooperation when you genuinely need to get in.
What happens if you don’t make repairs
Ignoring a legitimate repair request is where landlords get into real trouble. If you fail to meet your obligations, the tenant has several avenues of recourse through the TAL.
A tenant may be able to ask the TAL for:
- An order compelling you to make the repairs;
- A reduction in rent for the period the problem persisted;
- Damages for any harm suffered;
- Authorization to have the work done and deduct the cost, in certain cases.
In serious situations, persistent failure to maintain a habitable dwelling can even lead to lease termination. None of this is in your interest — every one of these outcomes costs more than simply doing the repair would have. Handling requests properly is both the legal and the financially smart choice. When repair issues spill into tension between neighbours, our guide on managing tenant complaints and conflicts is a useful companion.
Mistakes to avoid
Most repair disputes trace back to a handful of avoidable errors. Steer clear of these, and you’ll prevent the majority of problems before they start:
- Ignoring or delaying legitimate repair requests.
- Blurring responsibility, charging tenants for what’s legally your duty.
- Entering without proper notice, violating the tenant’s peaceful enjoyment.
- Failing to document requests and the repairs you completed.
Avoid these, and repairs become a routine part of running a property rather than a source of conflict. A landlord who responds quickly, communicates clearly, and keeps good records meets the law’s requirements and earns the kind of tenant loyalty that makes the whole business easier. If repair demands are stretching you thin, that’s also a sign it may be worth weighing whether to self-manage or hire a property manager.
