Rent increases and the TAL: building a credible scenario
The 2026 base percentage is 3.1%
For notices of modification given on or after January 1, 2026 under the new grid, the TAL (Tribunal administratif du logement, the provincial housing tribunal) publishes a base percentage of 3.1%. That number is neither a universal ceiling nor an automatic increase. A result that looks like a fixed rent takes into account information about the building, taxes, insurance, capital expenditures and certain services. A 5.9% figure found in another column or an old grid should not be renamed the "unheated base rate".
Six items can tell a different story
To understand a proposal, separate the base portion, municipal and school tax variations, insurance, major work or capital expenditures, services and the other planned adjustments. Not all expenses are multiplied directly by the rent. A 3.2% tax increase does not automatically mean a 3.2% rent increase: only the rent portion tied to that expense enters the calculation.
| Discussion item | Useful information | Mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Published percentage for the notice | Treating it as a ceiling |
| Taxes | Variation and attributable share | Applying the rate to the whole rent |
| Insurance | Comparable invoices | Using an increase with no amount |
| Capital expenditures | Nature, date and cost | Confusing maintenance with work |
| Services | Addition, removal or variation | Ignoring the lease content |
| Other adjustments | Documented justification | Adding raw percentages |
A sample scenario, not a decision
On a $1,200 rent, a 3.1% base is $37.20. Suppose effects already expressed as rent impacts of 0.13%, 0.45%, 0.57% and 0.29%. The total scenario would be 4.54%, or $54.48, for a new rent of $1,254.48. Adding these values is only acceptable if each percentage already represents its effect on the rent. An example arriving at 7.44% must clearly show the components that genuinely total 7.44%, with no arithmetic jump.
Ask for amounts, not just rates: A past and current insurance invoice, the tax accounts and the description of the work make the discussion far more concrete than a list of percentages.
The procedure depends on the lease and the date
For a lease of twelve months or more, the notice is generally sent three to six months before the lease ends. Other deadlines exist for shorter or indeterminate leases, or a room. The tenant's response must also respect the applicable deadline. Do not rely solely on a calculator: check the notice's form, its date of receipt, the lease term and the response options on the TAL website.
Preparing a sober, useful letter
A good letter identifies the dwelling, the notice received and the tenant's decision with wording suited to the context. It avoids accusations and asks, when needed, for the information required to discuss. Our generator produces an unsent draft. It does not assess your rights, calculate deadlines or file anything with the TAL. Re-read the document and use the official forms when their use is recommended.
- Keep a copy of the lease and the notice with the date of receipt.
- Compare the starting rent and the included services.
- Ask for the items that explain the proposed increase.
- Check the response deadline before waiting for documents.
The CalculQuébec stepper helps measure a scenario's effect and organize the components. To get a result like a fixed rent, you need to use the TAL's detailed tool with the building's data. A legal resource or housing committee can also help when the facts or deadlines are disputed.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3.1% the legal maximum?
No. It is a base percentage for certain 2026 notices, not a universal ceiling.
Can I refuse just because the increase exceeds 3.1%?
Exceeding it is not enough on its own to conclude; examine the components and the applicable procedure.
Is the site's letter sent automatically?
No. It stays in your browser and must be reviewed, then sent by the appropriate method.