Are Quebec’s Rent Laws Built to Fail Tenants?

In this episode, Lina from Tenant Rights QC discusses the current state of tenant rights in Quebec following the May 31st rent control protest organized by RCLALQ. The protest, which drew wide participation from tenant advocacy groups, highlighted mounting concerns over housing affordability, rent regulation, and the imbalance of power between landlords and tenants.

Lina explains that many renters feel they are regarded as “lower class” citizens, a perception reinforced by the challenges they face when asserting their rights, while homeowners are often prioritized and framed as more legitimate stakeholders in housing discussions.

One central issue is Lina brought up is the province’s new rent calculation method. While said to add transparency to rent hikes, housing rights activists argue it risks enabling landlords to impose steeper rent increases at a time when affordable housing is already scarce.

The conversation also examines the tools and strategies tenants can turn to in order to protect themselves. These include recording conversations with landlords, demanding clearer regulations, and calling for the creation of a public rent registry to prevent arbitrary price hikes. Lina emphasizes that although individual tenants often feel powerless, collective action, whether through organized protests, local associations, or legal advocacy, remains essential to counterbalance landlord influence and power.

The episode also sheds light on the broader context of Quebec’s housing landscape. Rising demand, coupled with insufficient legislative protections, has left many renters vulnerable and close to being unhoused. According to Lina, protests such as the May 31st demonstration serve not only to voice dissatisfaction but also to place political pressure on lawmakers to consider legislative reforms aimed at strengthening tenant protections and ensuring fair rent practices.

Throughout the conversation, Lina aims to provide a clear picture of the evolving struggle for housing justice in Quebec and the ongoing debate over how best to safeguard tenants’ rights in an increasingly competitive rental market.