Visits and repairs: when a Quebec landlord can enter the unit

In short

During the lease, a Québec landlord gives the tenant 24 hours' notice, which may be verbal, to check the unit's condition or show it to a prospective buyer, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Work is done between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., with the same 24 hours' notice.
Once a tenant has announced they are leaving, they must allow visits by prospective tenants between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., without 24 hours' notice.
Major non-urgent work requires written notice at least 10 days ahead, or at least 3 months ahead if the tenant must leave the unit for more than a week.
Urgent repairs can be done right away, and the landlord may require a temporary evacuation without notice or authorization from the TAL (art. 1865 C.C.Q.).

24 hours' notice and the permitted hours

During the lease, you may enter the unit to check its condition, show it to a prospective buyer or do work, provided you give the tenant 24 hours' notice. This notice may be verbal: it is the only lease-related notice that doesn't have to be in writing. These rules appear in the mandatory mentions of the TAL lease (arts. 1930 to 1935 of the Civil Code of Québec, C.C.Q.).

Why you enter	Notice	Permitted hours
Check the unit's condition	24 hours	9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Show it to a prospective buyer	24 hours	9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Do work	24 hours	7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Show it to a prospective tenant, once the tenant has announced they are leaving	none	9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Once they have announced they are leaving, the tenant must also allow a "For rent" sign (arts. 1930 and 1932 C.C.Q.). The tenant may require that you or your representative be present (art. 1932 C.C.Q.).

Major work: 10 days' or 3 months' written notice

Major non-urgent work requires a written notice (arts. 1922 to 1929 C.C.Q.). It states:

the nature of the work;
the start date and the estimated duration;
the evacuation period, if any;
the compensation offered;
any other conditions of the work.

Give the notice at least 10 days before the work starts, or at least 3 months before if the tenant must leave the unit for more than a week.

If the tenant must leave the unit

You owe them compensation equal to their reasonable expenses, payable on the evacuation date.
They have 10 days to answer the notice. If they don't answer, they are deemed to refuse.
You then have 10 days to apply to the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), Québec's housing tribunal.

If they don't have to leave

When the work doesn't require an evacuation, or the tenant agrees to it, they have 10 days to ask the TAL to change or strike out a condition they consider abusive.

Work that counts in the rent increase

Since 2026, capital expenditures (roof, windows, drains…) count at 5% of their cost per year in the TAL calculation, shared among the units that benefit. See Quebec rent increase 2027.

Urgent repairs: no waiting period

Urgent repairs can be done right away. You may even require the tenant to leave the unit temporarily, without notice and without authorization from the TAL (art. 1865 C.C.Q.). In an emergency, the tenant can't refuse access on the grounds that no notice was given or of the time of day.

What the tenant can refuse, and your options

Refuse access if 24 hours' notice wasn't given or the time isn't permitted, except in an emergency.
Require your presence or your representative's (art. 1932 C.C.Q.).
Keep the same locks: no lock or other device restricting access may be changed or added without both parties' consent (art. 1934 C.C.Q.).
Be compensated for reasonable expenses if they must leave the unit during major work.
Challenge abusive conditions of major work before the TAL, within 10 days.

If the tenant refuses access without a valid reason, you can ask the TAL for an access order. Abusive access by the landlord, like an unjustified refusal by the tenant, can lead to damages, and even punitive damages.

Keep a record

Note the date, time and reason for every notice, even a verbal one, and confirm it in writing (email or text). If there's a disagreement, that's your proof.

Common questions

How much notice does a Quebec landlord have to give to enter a rented unit?

24 hours. Visits and inspections take place between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The notice may be verbal.

My tenant is moving out: do I have to give notice before each visit?

No. Once they have announced they are leaving, they must allow visits by prospective tenants between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., without 24 hours' notice.

Can a tenant refuse to let the landlord in?

Yes, if 24 hours' notice wasn't given or the time isn't permitted, except in an emergency. A refusal without a valid reason can be taken to the TAL.

Can I enter without notice in an emergency?

Yes. Urgent repairs can be done right away, and you may require a temporary evacuation without notice or authorization from the TAL (art. 1865 C.C.Q.).

How much notice do I need for major renovations?

Written notice at least 10 days before the work starts, or at least 3 months before if the tenant must leave the unit for more than a week.

Glossary terms

Official sources

General information, not legal advice

This page summarizes the rules in force in Québec on the update date shown, for information only. It does not replace advice from a lawyer, notary or accountant, nor the official texts: when in doubt, rely on the sources above and on the Tribunal administratif du logement.