Application of the Regulation on fixing criteria
The entry into force of the Regulation respecting rent-setting criteria on January 1 of this year is based on a precise and decisive starting point: the date on which the notice of lease amendment is sent to the tenant.
If the notice of lease amendment was sent before January 1, 2026, i.e. before the effective date of the new regulations, the 2025 rules and calculation tool apply, including for the part of the rent term that covers the part of the lease for the year 2026. This tool is available on the TAL website.
If the lease amendment notice was sent on or after January 1, 2026, the new criteria apply, and the calculation must be made using the 2026 calculation tool, also available on the TAL website. As mentioned on the TAL website, the starting period for leases covered by this scheme must be between April 2, 2026 and April1, 2027.
It is therefore essential to check the exact date of dispatch of the notice, since it is this date – and not the lease renewal date – that determines the applicable legal regime.
Objectives of the new fixing criteria
The new criteria are designed to make rent setting simpler, more predictable and easier to understand for both tenants and landlords. One of the announced objectives is also to reduce the time required to process rent-setting applications before the TAL.
Caution during the transition period
CAAP Montérégie invites residents of private seniors’ residences (PSRs) to systematically use the calculation tools provided by TAL when a disagreement arises in connection with lease renewal.
CAAP advisors have already observed a lack of understanding of the new rules among both tenants and property managers. In some cases, we have even observed misinformation, which could lead us to believe that some managers are seeking to take advantage of this period of uncertainty to circumvent their regulatory obligations.
In case of doubt or contradictory information, we strongly recommend that you :
- Consult the TAL website and contact a CAAP Montérégie advisor for further details. You can also make an appointment with a TAL employee, who will be able to confirm or deny the information you have received.
These steps will help you avoid mistakes that could have serious, long-term impacts on your rights as a tenant and on your quality of life in the years to come.
