The owner must provide peaceable enjoyment of the dwelling for the duration of the lease.

Harassment

Harassment is a behavior that manifests itself by words, acts or gestures that are demeaning or degrading to a person.

In Article 1902, the Quebec Civil Code prohibits harassment. It is expected that no one can harass a tenant to restrict their quality of life, its right to enjoy the dwelling peacefully or to encourage him to leave.

Any tenant harassment may seek compensation to the Tribunal administratif du logement.

Do not hesitate to file a judicial action, because even if you do not win, this demand could calm your landlord and make him understand that his behavior is illegal.

 

The noise and the neighborhood

Although neighbors must accept reasonable neighborhood annoyances, tenants and the people they allow the use of their dwelling must also conduct themselves so as not to disturb the peaceful enjoyment of other tenants.

When you have problems related to the neighborhood or to noise, you must notify your landlord verbally and by letter of formal notice in order for him to intervene and resolve the situation.

If the proble persists, you can open a file to the Tribunal administratif du logement to demand reduction in rent, lease termination and specific performance. At this point, you have to gather evidence (witnesses, recording, record the type of noise and frequency, police report, etc.).

It is important to note that the disturbing behavior must have an aspect of permanency and repetition. You also need to prove that you have denounced the problem to the landlord, that the situation has not changed and it causes you serious harm.

If you are able to gather a group of tenants (e.g. joint petition or application) that complains against the same person, you get a lot more power and the landlord will have no choice but to evict the disturbing tenant if he does not change his behavior.