Quebec Sublease Agreement (Sous-bail)
A Quebec sublease agreement — une entente de sous-bail — lets a tenant rent their unit (or part of it) to someone else for a period within their own lease term. Quebec's rules are tenant-friendly but procedure-heavy: the landlord's consent, proper written notice, and the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) forms all matter. This guide covers the Quebec-specific rules and how to create a bilingual sublease in minutes.
How subleasing works in Quebec
In Quebec, a tenant who wants to sublet must send the landlord a written notice with the subtenant's name and address and the proposed sublease dates. The landlord has 15 days to respond. They can refuse for a serious reason — for example, the subtenant's inability to pay — but they cannot refuse unreasonably. If the landlord doesn't reply within 15 days, they are deemed to have consented.
Unlike a lease assignment (cession de bail), a sublease keeps the original tenant on the hook: the subtenant pays the sublandlord, and the sublandlord remains responsible to the landlord for the full rent.
What Quebec law requires
Quebec's Civil Code and TAL practice set specific requirements:
- Written notice to the landlord with the subtenant's details, sent before the sublease starts.
- The sublease rent cannot exceed the rent in the original lease (for the sublet portion).
- No security deposits — Quebec landlords cannot require them, and neither can sublandlords.
- The sublease cannot extend beyond the original lease term.
- The original tenant stays liable for rent and damages; choose your subtenant carefully.
- If the landlord refuses unreasonably, the tenant can apply to the TAL within one month.
Sublease vs. lease assignment in Quebec
A sublease (sous-bail) is temporary — the original tenant returns. A lease assignment (cession) permanently transfers the lease to a new tenant, releasing the original tenant. Since 2024, Quebec landlords can refuse an assignment for any non-frivolous reason, which has made subleases the more common path for temporary absences like exchanges, internships, and travel.
Pick the right instrument: sublease for temporary, assignment for permanent — and document whichever you choose.
What your sous-bail should include
A complete Quebec sublease agreement covers:
- The original lease reference — parties, address, and the master lease term.
- Subtenant details and the exact sublease start and end dates.
- Monthly rent (not exceeding the original rent) and payment terms.
- Which utilities and services each party pays.
- Condition of the unit at handover — photos and a signed checklist.
- House and building rules the subtenant must follow.
- Signatures of sublandlord and subtenant, with the landlord's consent documented.
En français
Notre outil crée votre entente de sous-bail en français ou en anglais, avec les règles du Québec intégrées : consentement du locateur, avis écrit de 15 jours, et interdiction des dépôts de garantie. Le document final est disponible en Word et PDF.
Create yours in 3 steps
Enter the lease details
Original lease parties, address, rent, and the sublease dates — in English or French.
Add subtenant and terms
Subtenant details, utilities split, and rules — guided steps with Quebec-specific prompts.
Download and get consent
Download when ready, then send the landlord the required written notice.
Frequently asked questions
Can my landlord refuse a sublease in Quebec?+
Only for a serious reason, such as the subtenant's inability to pay rent. An unreasonable refusal can be challenged at the TAL within one month.
What if my landlord doesn't reply to my sublease notice?+
If the landlord doesn't respond within 15 days of receiving the written notice, they are deemed to have consented to the sublease.
Can I charge the subtenant more rent than I pay?+
No. The sublease rent cannot exceed the rent in your original lease for the sublet portion.
Am I still responsible for rent during a sublease?+
Yes. In a sublease (unlike an assignment), you remain liable to your landlord for the full rent and any damage.
Can I ask the subtenant for a security deposit?+
No. Quebec prohibits security deposits — only the first month's rent may be collected in advance.
Does the sublease need to be in French?+
Quebec's Charter of the French Language generally requires residential leases to be in French first, with an English version available on request. Our tool generates both.
Create your Quebec sublease agreement
Bilingual EN/FR sous-bail with Quebec's consent rules built in.
Start my subleaseReview your draft and download it in Word or PDF when you're ready.
This page is general information about Canadian law, not legal advice. Laws change and every situation is different — have a licensed lawyer in your province review your document before you rely on it.