Assigning or Subletting Your Lease in Quebec
Need to leave your Quebec apartment before the lease ends? You have a strong right to hand it off — and your landlord can't unreasonably say no. Here's how assignment and subletting work.
Assignment vs Subletting
Assignment (cession de bail) transfers your entire lease to a new tenant, who takes over your rights and obligations — and, importantly, releases you from future obligations under the lease. Subletting puts someone in the unit temporarily while you remain the tenant and stay responsible to the landlord.
For a permanent move, assignment is usually the better choice because it gets you off the hook.
The Landlord Can Only Refuse for a Serious Reason
You must notify the landlord of your intention to assign or sublet, and the name and contact of the proposed new tenant. The landlord then has 15 days to respond. They can only refuse for a serious reason (for example, a genuine concern about the candidate) — not just because they'd prefer a new lease at higher rent.
Silence Means Consent
If the landlord doesn't respond within 15 days, they're deemed to have consented. If they refuse, they must give their reason — and if you think it isn't serious, the TAL can decide.
What It Can Cost You
The landlord can only charge you their reasonable expenses related to the assignment or sublet (such as a credit check) — they can't demand a fee or a higher rent from you for agreeing. In an assignment, the new tenant simply takes over your existing rent.