Sexual harassment by a landlord can make renting unsafe and stressful. If you are a tenant in Quebec, you have specific rights and options under provincial rules and human-rights laws. This guide explains what counts as harassment, how to document incidents clearly, which official bodies handle complaints, and the practical steps to seek protection or end a harmful tenancy. It also describes common forms used to bring a case, how to prepare records and witnesses, and where to get immediate help if you feel unsafe. The goal is to give tenants clear, usable steps to protect their safety and housing while preserving legal options and avoiding unnecessary delays.
What counts as sexual harassment by a landlord?
Sexual harassment can include unwanted comments, sexual advances, touching, requests for sexual favours, explicit messages, or behaviour that creates an intimidating or hostile living environment. Harassment may be a civil wrong and, in some cases, a criminal act. Harassment can occur in person, by phone, text, email, or through digital platforms, and it can include gestures or repeated unwelcome visits intended to intimidate.
Laws, tribunal and official forms in Quebec
The main administrative body for residential tenancy disputes in Quebec is the Tribunal administratif du logement[1], which can hear cases about harassment and orders to stop inappropriate behaviour. Quebec law also protects people through the Civil Code and the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms; serious harassment can be raised before the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ)[2][3]. If you believe you face criminal behaviour (assault, sexual assault, threats) contact police immediately.
Key official forms and when to use them
Application to the Tribunal administratif du logement (application form on the TAL website). Use this form to request a hearing asking the tribunal to order the landlord to stop harassment, to grant interim protection, or to allow you to end a lease without penalty. Example: you submit the application when the landlord repeatedly enters your unit and makes sexual comments and you need an order to stop the behaviour.
Complaint to the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ complaint form). Use this to allege discrimination or harassment under the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms; it is appropriate when harassment is linked to a protected ground or is systemic. Example: you file a complaint if the landlord targets you because of sex, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.
When preparing forms, be clear, factual, and attach dated evidence and copies of messages. If you need help completing paperwork, several community legal clinics and tenant associations offer assistance.
Documenting incidents and staying safe
Good documentation strengthens your case and helps officials assess the situation. Keep a clear chronology and preserve communications.
- Keep a dated incident log with times, places, exact words or actions, and the names of any witnesses.
- Save texts, emails, voicemails, photos or screenshots of messages and any altered locks or entry evidence.
- Tell a trusted friend or family member about the situation and ask them to note dates and conversations.
- When possible, send a short written complaint to the landlord describing the behaviour and requesting it stop; keep a copy as evidence.
What tenants can ask the tribunal to do
- Order the landlord to stop the harassment and impose conditions during a hearing.
- Allow the tenant to end the lease without penalty and recover any applicable deposits if the living situation is untenable.
- Restrict landlord entry or require supervised entry to protect privacy and safety.
For help understanding landlord obligations and tenant options, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained and for guidance on handling complaints see How to Handle Complaints in Your Rental: A Tenant's Guide.
FAQ
- Can a landlord sexually harass a tenant in Quebec?
- Yes. Unwanted sexual comments, touching, propositions, or any behaviour that makes your unit unsafe can be sexual harassment and may be addressed through the Tribunal administratif du logement or the CDPDJ.
- Can I end my lease if my landlord is harassing me?
- Yes, you can ask the Tribunal administratif du logement for an order allowing you to end the lease without penalty if harassment makes the tenancy intolerable; include documentation and a clear application for relief.
- Should I call police as well as file with the tribunal?
- If you face threats, assault, or feel in immediate danger, call police right away. Criminal reports can be used alongside tribunal or human-rights complaints.
How-To
- Gather and date evidence: notes, photos, screenshots, messages, and witness names.
- Ensure immediate safety: change locks if necessary, stay with someone you trust, or call police when danger is present.
- Send a short written complaint to the landlord describing behaviour and requesting it stop; keep a copy.
- File an application with the Tribunal administratif du logement requesting orders or lease termination, attaching your evidence.
- If discrimination is involved, submit a complaint to the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse.
- Attend any hearings, bring your documentation and witnesses, and follow tribunal directions for interim or final remedies.
If you need to find another place quickly, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme for listings and map-based search tools to locate available units while you pursue remedies.
Help and Support / Resources
- Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) — official site for tenancy disputes and forms
- Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse — file a rights complaint
- Quebec government housing information — tenant rights and services
