The Landlords’ Association reminds the public that housing repossessions in Quebec are already among the most regulated in Canada and that significant penalties apply in cases of non‑compliance.
The brief recently published by the RCLALQ, which calls for an expanded moratorium including housing repossessions, presents an incomplete picture of a legal mechanism that is essential and already highly regulated.
Housing repossession is an integral part of property rights.
Housing Repossessions: A Regulated Right, Not an Eviction Tool
Contrary to what the brief suggests, a housing repossession cannot be carried out freely.
The Civil Code of Québec imposes strict conditions, such as the required family relationship for repossession, the tenant’s age, notice deadlines, and more.
“Housing repossessions are already strictly regulated in Quebec. Presenting this legal mechanism as an eviction tool is inaccurate and does not reflect on‑the‑ground reality. Landlords who fail to comply with the law face severe penalties, and we fully support the rigorous enforcement of these rules,”
said Martin Messier, President of the APQ.
The “false repossessions” mentioned in the brief are already illegal, and offending landlords are exposed to compensatory and punitive damages.
A General Moratorium Would Penalize Responsible Landlords
The vast majority of landlords comply with the law and maintain their buildings.
An expanded moratorium would:
- prevent families from reclaiming a unit for an elderly parent, a child, or for themselves;
- create unfairness toward landlords acting in good faith;
- further rigidify an already strained market.
“A general moratorium would penalize thousands of responsible landlords who meet their obligations and maintain their buildings. It would also deprive families of the ability to house a parent or a child. The housing crisis will not be solved by blocking rights that are already tightly regulated, but by building more and supporting the renovation of the existing housing stock,” added Martin Messier.
The Real Issue: The Housing Shortage, Not Repossessions
The current crisis stems primarily from:
- insufficient construction over the past 20 years,
- rising construction and insurance costs,
- new technical standards,
- significant delays at the TAL, which harm both tenants and landlords.
Focusing on housing repossessions distracts from structural solutions: building more, accelerating projects, supporting renovations, and improving the functioning of the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL).
Responsible Landlords Want to Collaborate
The Quebec Landlords Association (APQ) reiterates its firm opposition to a moratorium that would indiscriminately punish all landlords, including those who strictly comply with the law.
Conclusion
Housing repossessions are already strictly regulated, overseen by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), and severely sanctioned in cases of abuse.
An expanded moratorium would not solve the housing crisis and would deprive thousands of families of a legitimate right.
The Association urges the government to focus its efforts on real solutions: construction, renovation, and system improvements, rather than punitive measures that fail to address the root causes.
Response to the RCLALQ Brief: Housing Repossessions Are Already Strictly Regulated and Heavily Sanctioned
