Filing a TAT Application as a Landlord: Procedure, Fees, Evidence and the Hearing

Filing a TAT application — an application to Quebec's Tribunal administratif du logement (formerly the Régie du logement) — is the landlord's core remedy when a tenant fails to pay, causes damage, or refuses to leave. But the TAT is a tribunal: it runs on precise rules, demands the right evidence, and imposes timelines. This procedural guide, written for owners of plexes and multi-unit buildings on the North Shore, walks through every step — from choosing the right remedy to filing the form, paying the fees, assembling your evidence, attending the hearing and enforcing the decision. The goal: help you avoid the mistakes that cost time and money before the Tribunal.

When should a landlord file a TAT application?

The TAT is the specialized tribunal that decides disputes between landlords and tenants in Quebec. As a landlord, you can file an application in several situations: non-payment of rent (the most common ground), cancellation of the lease, recovery of a debt (rent owed, damages), a claim for damage to the unit, plus rent fixing and other remedies provided by law.

One legal point governs non-payment: under the Civil Code of Quebec, as explained by Éducaloi, a landlord may ask to cancel the lease when the tenant is more than three weeks late paying the rent. A single delay of a few days generally isn't enough. Before filing, make sure your situation clears the legal threshold — otherwise your application risks being dismissed. When non-payment drags on, many owners weigh whether to keep pursuing the remedy or sell; we cover that trade-off in our article on unpaid rent and whether to sell or wait.

The 5 steps to file a TAT application

The procedure follows a logical sequence. Respecting the order avoids back-and-forth and dismissals on technicalities.

1. Identify the right remedy. Non-payment and cancellation, recovery, damages: each type has its own form and sometimes its own fee. Choosing the wrong remedy delays the whole file.
2. Gather the documents. Lease, statement of amounts owed, notices already sent, the tenant's exact address and full name. An identification error can void the summons.
3. Complete and file the application. Online through the TAT service, by mail, or in person at a Tribunal office, and pay the fee.
4. Wait for the summons. The TAT sets the hearing date and summons the parties. Make sure the tenant's details are accurate so service is valid.
5. Attend the hearing. With your complete, organized evidence file. On hearing day, your preparation is what makes the difference.

How much does a TAT application cost, and which form do you use?

Filing fees depend on the type and amount of the application. The TAT publishes an official fee schedule that is indexed each year. The table below gives an order of magnitude for common categories; always check the exact, current amount in the "Fees" section of the Tribunal's website before you pay.

On the forms side, the TAT offers an online application service as well as downloadable forms. You don't have to guess: the site guides you to the right remedy for your situation. Good news for the wallet: if you win, you can generally claim these fees back from the tenant as costs.

Source: Tribunal administratif du logement — Fees and costs and the "Apply to the Tribunal" section. Check the official website for the current indexed amounts.

How do you build a solid evidence file?

Before the TAT, the burden of proof rests on the applicant — that is, you. The judge doesn't take your word for granted: they weigh what you demonstrate. An organized, chronological, documented file beats a long narrative. Before the hearing, gather:

• The signed lease and any amendment or notice (including a repossession or renewal notice if applicable).
• A clear rent statement of amounts owed and paid, month by month, with the exact balance claimed.
• Written communications: emails, texts, letters, formal demands — dated.
• Proof of damage where relevant: dated photos, reports, quotes and repair invoices.
• Proof of payment or non-payment (bank statements, returned cheques).

How does the TAT hearing work?

The hearing is presided over by an administrative judge of the Tribunal. It is public and follows an orderly sequence: the applicant presents their evidence first, then the tenant responds. Each party may be heard, produce documents, and ask questions. The judge may put their own questions to clarify the facts.

Representation by a lawyer is not mandatory: the TAT is designed to be accessible without a jurist. You can represent yourself, which most small landlords do. For complex or high-stakes files, a lawyer can be a wise investment.

After the decision: recovery and enforcement

The judge renders a decision, sometimes on the spot, often in writing in the following weeks. If it favours you — say an order to pay rent owed, or an eviction order — the enforcement step remains, and it's the most misunderstood one.

For eviction: even with a decision ordering it, you cannot evict the tenant yourself. Only a mandated bailiff can carry out enforcement, after the deadline set in the decision. Changing the locks, cutting off services, or removing the tenant's belongings is illegal and can expose you to legal claims. For recovery of money, the decision is an enforceable title a bailiff can act on (a seizure, for example). If you'd rather turn the page, coldly compare the cost of the remedy against the cost of an exit; that's the calculation we detail in our analysis of selling your plex or waiting when rent goes unpaid.

Source: Tribunal administratif du logement and Éducaloi — Housing.

Common mistakes that lose the case

• Filing too early. Asking for cancellation before the three-week threshold invites dismissal.
• Misidentifying the tenant. A wrong name or address voids service and pushes back the hearing.
• Arriving without organized evidence. A confused file weakens an otherwise sound application.
• Taking justice into your own hands. Changing the locks before bailiff enforcement is illegal.
• Forgetting to claim costs. You can ask for reimbursement of the fees from the losing tenant.

The exact TAT fee schedule as of April 1, 2026

The indicative table above gives the order of magnitude, but a landlord budgeting a case wants exact numbers. As of April 1, 2026, the Tribunal administratif du logement applies an indexed fee schedule, category by category. These amounts are collected at filing — online, by mail, or at the counter — and must be paid for the application to be officially recorded.

For the landlord's most common dispute — non-payment of rent with a cancellation request — budget $92 per file. That's modest against the sums at stake: a single month of unpaid rent on a 4½ on the North Shore far exceeds this cost. Two nuances are worth knowing. First, a tenant receiving last-resort financial assistance is exempt from filing fees — this exemption applies to the applying tenant, not the landlord. Second, if you win, those $92 form part of the costs you can claim back from the losing tenant, on top of the sums owed.

Source: Tribunal administratif du logement — Costs exigible (schedule in force as of April 1, 2026). Amounts are indexed annually; check the official schedule before you pay.

How long does a TAT application really take?

This is the question that worries landlords most, and for good reason: every month of waiting is a month of rent not collected. The honest answer is nuanced. The TAT prioritizes certain cases, but "priority" doesn't mean "instant." Understanding how timelines work helps you decide whether to persevere or change strategy.

Cases treated as a priority

Applications for non-payment of rent with cancellation are among the files the Tribunal treats as a priority, precisely because the landlord's financial harm grows every day. In practice, these cases get a hearing date faster than, say, a rent-fixing application or a dispute over the condition of the unit. But priority doesn't erase the queues: caseload volume, the district, and room availability all shape the real calendar.

What lengthens — or shortens — your file

Several factors, some within your control, determine the total duration:

The TAT publishes its average processing times by application type on its official website, and these statistics shift from quarter to quarter. Rather than relying on a fixed figure, check the current data when you file. Above all, remember this: between filing, service, the hearing, the decision, and bailiff enforcement, a contested non-payment file can easily stretch over several months. For a landlord already absorbing losses, that delay is the real cost of the remedy — far more than the $92 fee.

What can you claim? Rent, interest, indemnity and costs

Many landlords claim only the unpaid rent and leave money on the table. Yet the law lets you add several items to your claim, provided you ask for them explicitly on your form. Here's what you're entitled to.

1. Rent due… and rent to come

You obviously claim the unpaid rent up to the hearing date. But as long as the lease isn't cancelled, the tenant remains bound to pay: your statement must stay up to date to the last day, and you can amend your application if new months accumulate along the way.

2. Legal-rate interest and the additional indemnity

On the amounts owed, you can claim interest at the legal rate (set at 5% per year) from the due date, plus the additional indemnity under article 1619 of the Civil Code of Québec. This indemnity, often forgotten, offsets the gap between the legal rate and the rate set for claims of the State. Small amounts on their own, but they add up on a file that drags — and, importantly, they signal a rigorous applicant to the Tribunal.

3. The costs

The filing fee ($92 for a general application) and certain expenses can be claimed from the losing tenant as costs. Don't forget to check that box.

A worked example

Take a typical North Shore case: a 4½ rented at $1,200 a month, unpaid for three full months at the hearing date.

The tenant has an important escape hatch in the "more than three weeks" non-payment scenario: they can avoid cancellation by paying all rent owed, plus interest and costs, before the Tribunal renders its decision. That's the "saving payment" principle. In other words, even a winning application can end with the lease surviving if the tenant catches up in time — but you then recover your money, interest included. This escape hatch does not apply to the scenario of frequent late payments causing serious harm.

Sources: Éducaloi — Unpaid or late rent and Civil Code of Québec, art. 1619. Interest amounts are indicative; consult a jurist for the exact calculation.

Preparing and presenting your evidence on hearing day

We said it: the burden of proof rests on you. But between "being right" and "showing a judge you're right," there's a gap only preparation closes. Here's the method of an organized landlord.

Build a chronological exhibit book

The administrative judge hears dozens of files. Make it easy. Assemble a numbered, dated exhibit book in chronological order, with a cover page summarizing the facts in a few lines. Each exhibit (E-1, E-2, E-3…) should be findable at a glance. Ideally bring one copy for yourself, one for the judge, and one for the tenant.

• E-1: the signed lease, with all schedules and the building rules if any.
• E-2: the account statement month by month, clearly showing the balance claimed.
• E-3: notices and formal demands sent, with proof of delivery.
• E-4: communications (emails, texts, letters) dated and legible.
• E-5: physical evidence — dated photos, reports, quotes and invoices for any damage.

Anticipate the tenant's defence

A winning file doesn't just present your version: it neutralizes the predictable objections in advance. Will the tenant claim work wasn't done, a verbal agreement, a moisture problem? Prepare the counter-evidence. If the tenant claims they paid, your bank statements and the absence of a deposit speak for themselves. If you tolerated late payments in the past, explain why the current situation now crosses the threshold of serious harm.

Witnesses

A caretaker, a neighbour, a contractor who saw damage can testify. A witness who saw or heard directly beats hearsay. Warn your witnesses of the date and confirm their availability; the Tribunal can also summon them if needed.

The day itself: bearing and clarity

Arrive early, dressed soberly, with your three copies. Lay out the facts calmly, in order, with no personal attacks. The judge assesses credibility as much as documents. Answer questions directly. Don't interrupt. If the tenant is absent and service was validly made, the Tribunal may hear your application and rule in their absence — but you'll still have to prove your claim.

Contesting a decision: revocation, review and appeal

The decision is out and doesn't satisfy you — or it's the tenant who wants to challenge it. Three avenues exist, each with its own deadline, all strict. Miss the deadline and you lose the remedy. Here's the roadmap.

Revocation targets the case where a party couldn't present its version — for example a landlord prevented from attending for a serious reason, or a decision marred by a procedural error. You have 10 days from the moment you learn of the decision to request it.

Leave to appeal to the Court of Québec is more demanding: it only concerns matters worth submitting to that court (generally questions of law), and you must first obtain a judge's permission. The deadline is 30 days after the decision is known, and it is strict: no extension is possible. Note that certain decisions are not appealable, notably those dealing solely with rent fixing, modifying a lease condition, or rent revision.

For the landlord, the practical lesson is twofold. First, if you win, know that the tenant has these same windows to challenge — so enforcement isn't always immediate. Second, if the decision goes against you, act fast: the 10- and 30-day clocks run out, and a solid file poorly argued can sometimes be salvaged, but only in time.

Sources: Tribunal administratif du logement — Contesting a decision and Éducaloi — Challenging a TAT decision.

Bailiff enforcement: eviction and seizure, step by step

You won. The Tribunal cancelled the lease and ordered eviction, or ordered the tenant to pay. And yet, nothing moves. This is where the most misunderstood part plays out: a favourable decision is not enforcement. Moving from one to the other follows precise rules a landlord must respect to the letter — or risk turning victory into a claim against themselves.

You can do nothing yourself

Let's repeat it, because it's the costliest mistake: only a mandated bailiff can carry out the eviction, and only after the deadline set in the decision has passed. Changing the locks, removing a door, cutting the heat or electricity, putting the tenant's belongings on the sidewalk: all of this is illegal in Quebec. Taking justice into your own hands exposes the landlord to damages and a complete reversal of the balance of power — the bad payer suddenly becomes the one suing you.

The enforcement steps

1. Obtain the enforceable decision. Make sure the enforcement deadline set by the judge has elapsed.
2. Mandate a bailiff. You choose a bailiff and hand over the decision.
3. Service and notice. The bailiff notifies the tenant of the enforcement date.
4. Carrying out the eviction. On the set date, the bailiff proceeds, with police assistance if needed.
5. Recovering the money. For a monetary debt, the decision is an enforceable title letting the bailiff proceed with a seizure (property, wages, account).

The bailiff's fees and enforcement costs add to your bill, but they can often be claimed from the debtor. Financially, keep a cool head: if the tenant is insolvent, a decision ordering payment of $3,600 may have only symbolic value. A seizure yields nothing if the debtor has no seizable property or income. This is precisely the point at which many landlords re-weigh the equation between persevering with the remedy and turning the page.

Special cases that complicate an application

The basic procedure covers "clean" non-payment. But a plex owner's reality is rarely clean. Here are the situations that call for extra attention before you file.

Frequent lateness rather than a single unpaid month

The three-week threshold targets non-payment that persists. But a tenant who pays… always late can also justify cancellation if those frequent delays cause you serious harm — for example when they stop you from meeting your own mortgage payments. The nuance is major: in this scenario, the tenant cannot save the lease by paying at the last minute, unlike non-payment of more than three weeks. On the other hand, the Tribunal sometimes grants a "last chance." So document each delay, month after month: it's the serious-harm ground, backed by a track record, that carries the decision.

The occupant without a lease

Be careful who actually occupies the unit. An occupant without a lease — a squatter, a tenant's ex-partner who stayed, an unauthorized subtenant — doesn't have the same status as a tenant on the lease. The legal characterization of the person changes the nature of the remedy. Correctly identifying the occupant and the right basis for the application avoids a dismissal on a technicality.

Co-tenants and joint leases

When several people sign the same lease, they are generally held jointly and severally liable for the rent: you can claim the full amount from either. Name all the parties correctly in your application, or you'll complicate enforcement.

Subletting and lease assignment

If the unit was sublet or the lease assigned, the chain of responsibility gets more complex. The original tenant may remain liable to you depending on the circumstances. Check whether the sublet or assignment was done properly before targeting the wrong person in your remedy.

Abandonment of the unit or death of the tenant

An abandoned unit with belongings inside doesn't let you clear it out as you please: rules govern the fate of the property left behind. If the tenant dies, it's the heirs or the estate's liquidator who take over the lease obligations, with specific timelines. These situations almost always warrant a jurist's advice before you act.

Quantifying the real cost of a remedy before you commit

A rational landlord doesn't measure a TAT application by its $92 fee, but by its total cost in time, money and energy. Doing that math coldly, before you file, keeps you from getting bogged down in a battle whose net gain is sometimes negative.

The real cost items

For many simple files, the remedy remains the right call: $92 and a few months' patience to recover a unit and get a solvent tenant ordered to pay is worthwhile. But in other cases — an insolvent tenant, a building with multiple problems, a landlord running on empty — the math tips the other way. Add up the lost months of rent, the restoration, the time and the uncertainty of enforcement: the "gain" from a judgment can melt to nothing.

The question that settles it

Ask yourself a simple question: how much is my peace of mind worth, and will the debtor actually be able to pay? If the answer points to a long tunnel with no recovery at the end, comparing the remedy to a clean exit becomes relevant. That's the trade-off we detail in our analysis of unpaid rent and the decision to sell or wait. Some North Shore owners choose to sell their plex with the dispute still open rather than wait for the outcome: a specialized buyer can take over the file, turning a blocking problem into immediate liquidity.

Frequently asked questions