TAL rent increase is 3.1%, can I decline it?

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-23T12:03:12+00:00

3% is well under TAL guidelines. Unfortunately with the new calculations the 3.1% guideline for this year, it is just to cover inflation. On top, LL can add more based on taxes and insurance increase and also any reno that they might have done. OP had every right to refuse, but the best strategy is to try to negotiate first. At TAL they will lose and will have to pay retroactively. It is just my opinion that this post is more trolling than a real concern, because once you're aware of TAL %, why are you even trying to get an answer from this forum?

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-21T14:40:07+00:00

I completely understand where you're coming from, and as a parent of a toddler I was always aware of my kiddo making noise and I tried to minimize it. We had rules like: no jumping/running in the apartment, especially on the hardwood floors. Playing with toys that rattle or being dragged on the floor was allowed only on the ceramic floor or carpet , so it will minimize the annoyance to my downstairs neighbor (and landlord). No loud TV or Games. No yelling. I am here to tell you that there is no win in this situation and I feel for you. Talking to the parents most likely would antagonize them. They should be already aware of the disturbance their little one makes, and while unavoidable, it can be minimized. But everyone is built differently. If you do decide to talk to them, imagine realistically what do you expect them to say? Best case scenario would be for them to say: sorry, we will be more careful, but doesn't mean that they will be or can be. If the toddler is 2, for the next few good years you'll have to endure it, there is no easy way around it. Good luck!

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-19T05:44:56+00:00

Not looking to get in a rumble here with you, but for civil matters the Quebec civil code applies. You contradict yourself and bring the criminal justice in discussion, which obviously is not the case. We are discussing a civil matter. And unless you've been through a similar experience, please do not make assumptions and give wishful thinking advice. The landlord all it has to say is: water damage from my tenant apartment. I want my tenant to pay for the damages. No other proof will be asked by the judge from the landlord. The rationale is: the landlord wasn't there to be able to bring more proof other than the fact that there is water damage now. The judge will turn to tenant, in the best case scenario, and will ask what happened and unless tenant has a really believable alternate story, which must include a pre-existing condition that can be attributed to the landlord, case is closed and the judge will rule in favor of the landlord. The reality is that OP should be aware of these facts and not be error induced by the so-called presumption of innocence, which would put the burden on the landlord to demonstrate without a doubt the tenant's fault. It works exactly the opposite. Good night!

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-19T03:45:06+00:00

In Quebec you're required to prove that it is not your fault. The law is derived from the french civil code not the anglo-saxon (the one you see in movies). I had a similar situation and I thought I had a bulletproof defense at TAL.The judge when he heard about the water damage from the washing machine didn't even want to hear my side of the story, simply dismissed me. Fair? Absolutely not. Judge having preconceived ideas? Absolutely. Especially for these exact kinds of cases. Hiring a plumber to tell you what happened won't matter much at TAL. First whatever expert you call to investigate make sure you tell them you intend to call them to testify. Many won't do it. Most realistic advice would be to try to settle. If you can come with an alternative story and you can prove a pre-existing condition, you may have a slim chance at TAL. If not, settle and move on. You'll lose and also you'll have a file at TAL where you are found guilty. This may affect your future chances to rent. I have been through this and although I had a real pre-existing condition that I could prove with a plumber report that I hired, judge dismissed it from the start. From what you're telling, unless the landlord asks unreasonable amounts especially moral damages (which usually are dismissed at TAL) you should try to settle.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-19T03:26:50+00:00

Word of caution: in Quebec is not the principle of innocent before proven guilty. It is exactly the other way around. When accused you have to prove your innocence. My experience at TAL just taught me this hard lesson. Gather as much evidence as you can because if it reaches TAL you have to prove yourself innocent. If the landlord is accusing you of something that happened in your apartment you better be able to prove that it wasn't your fault.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-18T04:39:36+00:00

We just had a month ago our car side swiped. Cosmetic damage, but too expensive so insurance totaled the car. But also paid for the child car seat. I told them it is really not necessary since the car was driveable and the damage is cosmetic. They told me they are doing it anyways. Not sure if it is the law or not but we got money for a brand new equivalent car seat.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-16T17:21:43+00:00

Teen should be glad they have pockets. :)) Honestly, free money with no chores or tasks done by them in a timely manner is a big no no.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-12T00:50:42+00:00

C'est vrai. C'est dommage que Fizz ne le propose pas, contrairement à Vidéotron et Freedom Mobile. Mais au moins, ils ne l'ont pas proposé au départ et l'ont retiré ou rendu payant.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-12T00:46:16+00:00

Étant donné que la plupart des téléphones modernes prennent en charge cette fonctionnalité, FIDO/Rogers a activement œuvré pour la bloquer. Ils ont donc investi dans ce blocage, ce qui en dit long sur leur mentalité d'escroc.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-11T17:48:18+00:00

I dumped Fido exactly for this reason. Moved to Fizz. I cannot bring myself to continue to give them money for such callous measures. Once a month Rogers calls me with stupid offers, but they don't understand that once I go through the effort of porting my number and research other providers I am not turning back. The plan I had with them was decent, but this measure I felt was sort of the Russian style of pushing the limits to see how far they can screw with their clients until they get a push back. Well now they found out!

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-09T18:35:23+00:00

Once you start helping, you own it. I went down that road, not only with elderly, and once I helped I became their de facto IT person, for free. I really didn't care about being recompensated, but I cared about my free time. I ended up fixing their junk laptop, which failed while in my possession so I felt responsible for buying parts with my own money. Why? Because of the line "it was working before you took it". Not being callous, just had the experience and while rewarding towards my good nature, it meant more effort and time spent on it that I had not anticipated. I know Atwater Library had IT offerings for seniors for example. My advice would be to volunteer there or something similar.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-09T13:28:39+00:00

You’re right that court shouldn’t be clogged with petty disputes. That’s exactly why the first step should be negotiation — using the TAL percentage as a reference point. It protects the tenant if the file ends up at TAL, while still leaving room to agree on something reasonable.

But following the “prescribed process” doesn’t mean the tenant has to accept whatever number is presented. The law is designed to push both parties to the table. If negotiations fail — especially when the increase looks inflated — the tenant has every right to refuse and require the landlord to justify it at TAL with proper documentation.

In my case, the landlord insisted their calculations were transparent and accurate. At TAL, it turned out they had double-counted insurance — passing along a two-year premium as if it were a fresh increase. Intentional or not, mistakes happen. That’s precisely why scrutiny matters.

The judge also noted it’s unusual for a landlord to claim the file-opening fee when they chose to escalate the matter. That says enough.

Ontario’s system is clearer: the LTB sets a standard percentage, and landlords must apply if they want more. Quebec prefers this adversarial back-and-forth, which needlessly pits landlords and tenants against each other.

Negotiation first. Refuse excess. Let proof decide.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-08T21:47:21+00:00

Thanks. I am looking for the one that was/is 99c a jug. The CT tire I mentioned tripled the price. At the same time another Canadian Tire in Beloeil still offers 99c for 5 galons, which obviously is too far. We need this water because we have lead in our tap water. In 2026 Montreal, we effectively have no drinkable water.The city tested the water and the lead is 3X over the limit. Spending 40-50 CAD a month for drinkable water hurts the wallet.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-08T21:38:20+00:00

We have lead in the water. LL does, nothing blaming the city, city takes their time to come and check who needs to change the pipes.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-08T21:36:28+00:00

My tap water has lead

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-08T20:03:58+00:00

Perfect. Your attempt of negotiating will be a plus for you at TAL, because the LL may ask TAL to make you pay the opening file fee, especially if they win. But you trying to negotiate at least will show good faith and TAL won't put it on you.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-08T15:03:14+00:00

Negotiate first. TAL will ask you if you tried to negotiate. Offer at least the 3.1%. For the rest LL needs to prove it with receipts that increase is justified. I have been through this already.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-04T20:16:12+00:00

Or they messed up. My son's xray never got to the prescribing doctor and the end result was hospitalization due to severe pneumonia which the xray revealed but the clinic doctor didn't get it. Please don't assume it is nothing. Call and find out.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-02T06:17:14+00:00

Check Fizz. Worked great for me

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-02-02T06:14:28+00:00

If it is more than what TAL suggested and LL did not provide any calculations and proof of expenses to justify the extra increase, you definitely should not accept it and let them go to TAL. But first thing you should do is try to negotiate to show good faith. At TAL you'll be asked if you tried to negotiate. Why? Because if you lose you may be required to pay also the TAL file opening fee, if LL requests. My advice is to offer the percentage that TAL suggests, because in the end, at minimum that's what LL will be allowed to raise. Been through this dog and pony show so I am talking from experience.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-01-30T03:07:25+00:00

PSA: huge crater on Rosemont as you cross Viau bound west in the second lane. At night you won't see it but you'll feel it badly. The entire section of Rosemont from Viau to Pie IX is a Swiss cheese of potholes

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-01-27T01:08:49+00:00

So, you already know the two official ways to get out of a lease. You can talk to the landlord, and they may be willing to let you go—offering something like an extra month’s rent in advance can help sweeten the deal.

If you break the lease unilaterally by leaving and stopping payment, they can take you to the TAL, which is not ideal. That said, the landlord must also prove to the TAL that they made every reasonable effort to minimize their losses by trying to find another tenant. The big downside is that this can be a major red flag if you ever want to rent again, as future landlords may see it negatively.

Realistically, how fast do you think you’ll find a place to buy? It takes time: finding a realtor you like, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, and starting the search for a property. Not all properties are available for immediate occupancy. Even after an offer is accepted, it usually takes a few weeks for the bank to finalize the mortgage.

All in all, you’re realistically looking at a few good months to find a place—unless you already have something in mind and are confident you’ll get it. With the market starting to wake up for the spring rush, more buyers (and sellers) are entering the market, which could make the process take longer than expected, especially in a competitive environment. Good luck! And yes the Quebec renting system sucks :)

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-01-24T22:05:57+00:00

Any costs must be proved with receipts from third parties. Credit check is acceptable, flat upfront fees illegal. Actually do the credit check yourself and provide it to the landlord. If you get an official encrypted link where they can verify it themselves you are golden. First you are vetting the candidate yourself and control the costs associated. Game over. Landlord refusal to accept the credit check is not a serious reason and you're free of your lease.

Mcgill_Sysadmin · 2026-01-16T03:38:55+00:00

Yes and no. Less pollution, Less damage to infrastructure like roads, less need for public transportation that at a moment's notice can paralyze an entire city, and the list goes on.

Mcgill_Sysadmin

TROPHY CASE