Québec residential tenancy
Québec lease assignment and subletting after Bill 31
An assignment transfers the tenancy; a sublet generally does not release the original tenant from all obligations in the same way. The landlord must be notified with required information and has statutory response obligations.
Tell the landlord in writing
A proposed assignment notice identifies the intended assignee and address, and the date of transfer. Proof of receipt matters because the lessor usually has 15 days to respond. Where the lessor gives no reply within that period, consent to assignment is generally deemed given.
Serious and other reasons for refusal
For a notice given under the amended rules beginning February 21, 2024, a lessor may refuse for a reason other than a serious one; the lease is then resiliated on the proposed assignment date. A refusal for a serious reason can have a different result.
Subletting
The lessor generally needs a serious reason to refuse a sublet; the 15-day response period also matters. The original tenant may still be responsible, depending on the legal arrangement.
Get the right model
Use the TAL models for notice of lease assignment, subletting, and response to assignment. Avoid treating an assignment as a simple early-cancellation right.