Can I refuse a tenant with children?

No. Discrimination based on family status is illegal. You must accept them if they meet your criteria.

What's the minimum required income?

Typically 2.5x-3x monthly rent. $1,000/month rent means minimum $2,500-3,000/month income.

Can I refuse someone based on religion?

Absolutely not. It's discriminatory and illegal.

What if a candidate refuses a credit check?

Their choice. You're not obliged to accept them, but can't force a check. Document the refusal.

Tenant Finding and Placement

Tenant Placement Montreal

Legal Tenant Screening Guide for Quebec

You have an apartment to rent and 50 applications. How do you evaluate them legally without violating tenant rights? This guide explains what you can and cannot ask.

Free Assessment (514) 779-1956

Legal pitfalls of tenant screening

An owner asks a candidate: 'What's your blood type?' or 'Are you pregnant?' Three illegal questions. The candidate complains to the Human Rights Commission. Without clear guidance on what's legal, owners risk violations unknowingly.

What you can ask

Income and employment
References from previous landlords
Security deposit
Credit check

You ABSOLUTELY CANNOT ask: religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, criminal records (unless directly relevant), immigration status.

Who needs this?

Any property owner renting a unit. Managers wanting to standardize their process legally. Those who've received discrimination complaints.

Quebec discrimination law is strict

Quebec's Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects 14 grounds against discrimination: race, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religious conviction, disability, national origin, age, language. Remedies can include forced rental, damages, and negative publicity.

What you get

Screening compliant with Quebec law

Reduced discrimination complaint risk

More rigorous tenant selection

Better process documentation

How it works

Create an application form

Document legal elements. Nothing discriminatory.

Evaluate legal criteria

Sufficient income (2.5x rent), solid references. Same criteria for all.

Document the decision

Keep written record: who was accepted, who rejected, and why.

Retain documents

Keep files minimum 1-2 years in case of complaint or litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, unless directly relevant (ex: allergies affecting building). Generally no.

Select the right tenants legally.

Jones helps you create a screening process compliant with Quebec law.

Create a Process (514) 779-1956

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Areas we serve

Jones helps Montreal owners with legal tenant screening.

Montreal Plateau-Mont-Royal Westmount Outremont All service areas →