Lawyers defending landlords face unprecedented demand as more tenants assert their rights.
“Demand has never been so strong, but that’s normal, because housing has increased in value and tenants are fighting much harder to keep their apartments,” explains M.e Guy Audet, rental law lawyer who has represented owners for nearly 40 years.
At the Corporation of Real Estate Owners of Quebec (CORPIQ), calls are also exploding.
“Our advisory services department is under pressure, overwhelmed and has never had so many questions from members.”
“It’s difficult to get appointments at the TAL [Tribunal administratif du logement] so the owners turn to us a lot,” explains Éric Sansoucy, general director of the organization.
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Better informed
And if lawyers face more requests, it is because tenants are better informed about their rights, which also pushes them to go to the Administrative Housing Tribunal, often in the company of a lawyer, believes Ms.e Audet.
“To balance things out a little, the owners then also decide to hire a lawyer to defend themselves,” he says to explain the high demand.
The figures show this very clearly. In 2017-2018, 15.3% of cases were represented by lawyers, representing tenants and owners, while in 2023-2024, the proportion rose to 22.9%, according to the latest TAL data.
Rent setting
In recent years, there have been numerous causes of housing repossessions and rent fixing, where tenants and owners can be represented by lawyers.
“This year, the requests that have exploded the most are those for rent fixations.”
“The rates displayed [par le TAL] gave a good increase, so there are a lot of tenants who contested,” says Me Mélanie Chaperon, who has defended owners since 2004.
The observation is similar to the office of Me Audet, who also notes the increase in housing repossession files.
“This week alone, I have two rent fixings and three housing repossession cases before the court,” he says.
This is because the housing crisis is also difficult for the children of many owners, explain the two lawyers.
“Many adults aged 18 to 35 can no longer afford housing,” continues M.e Chaperone.
