# The Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) — process

Sources: Éducaloi English capsules (*what-does-the-tribunal-administratif-du-logement-do*, *filing-an-application…*, *preparing-for-a-hearing…*, *going-to-a-hearing…*, *challenging-a-decision…*) **cross-checked against tal.gouv.qc.ca** (mission-and-jurisdiction, procedures-for-filing, costs-exigible, who-may-represent, contesting-a-decision, executing-a-decision) — fetched **2026-07**. Where the two disagreed, the **TAL's own wording governs** and the difference is flagged.

## What it is

Quebec's specialized tribunal for residential leases — **formerly the Régie du logement**. It also runs a **free conciliation service** and an information service.

**Exclusive first-instance jurisdiction:** any application about a dwelling's lease where the amount claimed is **under $100,000**.

**Exclusive regardless of amount:** lease **renewal**, **rent fixing**, **repossession**, **division of a dwelling**, **change of destination**, **substantial enlargement**, low-rental-housing leases, demolition, alienation of a building in a housing complex, conversion to divided co-ownership, and authorization to deposit rent.

Since **21 February 2024** it also hears applications for orders under **CCQ arts. 1863, 1867, 1917, 1918** even where the value **reaches or exceeds $100,000**.

## Filing

**How:** online (credit card) · by mail (certified cheque / money order / bank draft to the *ministre des Finances du Québec*) · in person by appointment.

**Timing:** anything received after **4:30 p.m.** on a business day, or on a holiday, counts as the **next business day**.

**Names must be exact:** individuals by full first and last name; companies by full legal name **including "Inc." or "Ltd."**

**Notifying the other party** — one of: in-person delivery with signed receipt · email **with read receipt** · registered mail with Canada Post proof · **bailiff**. You must **prove they actually received it**.

⚠️ **You have 45 days from filing** to submit proof of notification and your evidence list — or the TAL can **close the file**.

### Fees — tariff effective 1 April 2026

> **Fees are indexed every year (1 April).** This table is a snapshot; **check the live TAL "costs exigible" page** before relying on it.

| Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| Rent modification / revision — rent ≤ $350 | $59 |
| — rent $350–$600 | $70 |
| — rent > $600 | $92 |
| Unpaid rent, abandonment | $92 |
| General application | $92 |
| Reinstatement on the roll | $47 |
| Motion to reopen a hearing | $47 |
| Conversion to divided co-ownership | $226 **per dwelling** |

- **Exemption:** people receiving **last-resort financial assistance** (social assistance) pay **no costs**.
- **Rent deposit:** a **3.8%** administrative charge is taken from the deposited rent, payable by the lessor.
- **Notification costs recoverable** from the defendant: registered mail **$13.15**/party; bailiff **$27.00** (individual) or **$28.00** (organization) per person; other methods **$7.00**.

## Responding to an application against you

**No written response is required** — you may simply explain your side **orally at the hearing**. You may also file a **cross-application**.

## Preparing

**Burden of proof: the applicant must prove what they allege** — asserting it isn't enough.

**Evidence:** documents (lease, notices, letters, emails, invoices), photos/videos, logs (temperature/humidity), expert reports (inspection, appraisal, extermination). **Bring three copies** of every document (you, the judge, the other party). Number your exhibits and order them by date or topic. Print digital evidence where you can.

**Witnesses** need **direct personal knowledge** — hearsay is generally inadmissible. **Written statements** only if the witness truly can't attend (serious illness, abroad), the other side is told in advance, and they consent or the judge approves. A **subpoena** must be served by bailiff **at least 3 days** before the hearing (fees apply).

### Who may represent you (applications filed after 21 Feb 2024)

- **Individuals:** yourself, a **lawyer**, or **a mandatary of your choice** (not a professional struck off/suspended).
- **Legal persons:** a director, a board-authorized mandatary, or a lawyer.
- **Trusts:** trustee or lawyer. **Successions:** liquidator or lawyer. **Partnerships/associations:** a lawyer, all members, or one member holding the others' mandate.
- A **written mandate** signed by the represented person is required for non-lawyer representatives (except officers and liquidators). No written mandate needed for a **spouse**.
- Lawyers file an **Appearance Form (TAL_009A_E)**. **Interpretation services** are available.

> ⚠️ **Éducaloi is wrong here — use the TAL's rule.** Éducaloi says flatly: "For claims of $15,000 or less, you can't be represented by a lawyer." The actual rule is narrower: a lawyer is excluded only where the **sole object** of the application is recovering a **small claim of $15,000 or less** (excluding interest). TAL's own example: a $5,000 unpaid-rent claim *is* a small claim — but an application to **terminate the lease** *accompanied by* a $5,000 rent claim **is not**, so a lawyer may appear.

## At the hearing

1. **Appearance and oath** — parties and witnesses called; witnesses swear to tell the truth.
2. **Evidence** — the **applicant goes first** (explains, files evidence, calls witnesses), then the respondent. Each may **cross-examine**. Then each **pleads** a short summary.
3. **Decision** — immediately, or taken under advisement and mailed **within three months at most**.

**Duration:** typically **30 minutes to 3 hours**. **Postponement** is possible if a party doesn't appear or documents are a problem. **Settlement:** if you agree before or during, the judge can **ratify** it; the **free conciliation service** can resolve things without a hearing.

*(Not sourced: whether hearings are recorded, and the consequences of not showing up.)*

## Challenging a decision

| Route | Deadline | Leave needed? |
|---|---|---|
| **Correction** | Before it's appealed/reviewed or becomes executory — "as soon as you notice the mistake" | No |
| **Revocation** (*rétractation*) | **10 days** after you learn of the decision | No |
| **Review** (*révision*) | **Within 1 month** of the decision | No |
| **Appeal — Court of Québec** | **30 days** after the decision is known — **strict, cannot be extended** | **Yes** — leave of a judge |
| **Judicial review — Superior Court** | — | Exceptional only |

- **Correction:** simple errors — calculation, missing signature, failing to rule on part of the claim.
- **Revocation:** you couldn't attend for serious reasons; you were prevented from filing important evidence; the Tribunal omitted part of the demand or exceeded the application's scope. **Revocation suspends execution.**
- **Review:** rent fixing, rent revision, changes to lease conditions, and decisions of a **special clerk**.
- **Appeal is NOT available for:** rent fixing, lease conditions, subdivision, conversion to divided co-ownership, demolition, authorization to deposit rent, or small-claim recoveries. **The Court of Québec's judgment is final.**
- Correction, revocation and review carry **filing fees, reimbursed if you succeed**, and all require **notifying the other party**.
- Small deadline overruns *may* be excused if justified and not prejudicial — **but never the 30-day appeal deadline.**

## When a decision becomes executory (a different clock!)

| Application type | Executory |
|---|---|
| Alienation in a housing complex; conversion to divided co-ownership; demolition; authorization to deposit rent | **Immediately** |
| Rent-fixing **review** | **10 days** from the decision |
| Sole object = small-claim recovery | **20 days** from the decision |
| Rent fixing only | **1 month** from the decision |
| **All other applications** | **30 days** from knowledge of the decision |

> ⚠️ Don't conflate the **challenge** deadlines with the **executory** deadlines. They're different clocks running off different triggers ("from the decision" vs "from **knowledge of** the decision").

## Enforcement

A **bailiff** executes when the debtor won't comply: the creditor gives the bailiff the decision + instructions and pays fees; the bailiff files notice with the **Court of Québec** and serves the debtor.

- **Eviction:** the bailiff must serve notice **at least 5 days before**. **No evictions on holidays or from 24 December to 2 January.**
- **Seizure:** income garnishment, bank accounts, movable property, debts. **Household items up to $7,000 are exempt.**
- **Prescription:** a decision is enforceable for **10 years**; after that the rights are extinguished.
- **Non-payment safeguard:** if the decision terminates the lease for non-payment but the tenant pays the **rent owing, costs, and interest before the decision is rendered**, the landlord **cannot proceed with eviction**.

## Unverified

**Priority/urgent treatment** (the idea that non-payment and repossession cases are "heard by preference") could **not be confirmed** — it's not on the TAL's jurisdiction page or Éducaloi's, and LégisQuébec/CanLII blocked automated access. It would need a direct read of the *Act respecting the Administrative Housing Tribunal* (CQLR c T-15.01). **Don't rely on a specific hearing-time target.** What *is* confirmed: a landlord may file on **non-payment as of the 2nd of the month**, and termination for non-payment needs the tenant to be **more than 3 weeks** late.