“You’re based on Tal”: when the transparency of complaints dissuades the tenants

Whether to challenge an increase in rent or to denounce unhealthiness, tenants hesitate to file a complaint with the administrative housing court (TAL) since the files are part of the public register. For example, An organization therefore pleads so that complaints become anonymous to prevent the tenants from being discriminated against by the owners.

From 2019 to 2024, Véronic Pageau praised a house in Saint-Zénon, in Lanaudière, who was, she said, completely unhealthy.

There were water damage. Therefore, I did not have drinking water for more than a year and a half, there were molds throughout the basement. Therefore, In short, I made myself sick in this houseshe says.

So she filed a complaint Turn To require the owners “you’re based tal”: when transparency to carry out the required work. However, His file. Consequently, which is still active, however followed him in his housing research since the names appear in the files of Turn. In addition, the names never fade, even if the file is closed.

I had a good job. However, I am solvent, I have a good credit, but it really harmed me. Moreover, It’s a black spot, you’re marked with a hot iron. In addition, […] You are based on Turnwe don’t want you.

This tenant specifies that his research of a new accommodation lasted two. “you’re based tal”: when transparency In addition, a half years. I made more than a hundred calls and I don’t know how many messages [j’ai envoyés] On Marketplace. […] I was not told anything, I was not rememberedshe recalls.

The RCLACQ plead for anonymity – "you're based tal": when transparency

According to Julien Delangie. a lawyer in housing law, it is not uncommon for tenants to hesitate before opening a file to Turn. There are many who, before starting an appeal, will wonder if it will harm them. This very often comes up in discussionshe says.

Discrimination on the grounds of having legitimately defended his rights is however illegal, maintains Mr. Delangie. “you’re based tal”: when transparency It is illegal to refuse to conclude a lease with a potential tenant for the sole reason. that he has exercised a right given to him by lawhe explains.

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Except that in fact, he recognizes that this practice is undetectable. The problem is to prove that this is the reason to refuse a tenant. Very often, we won’t know.

To avoid such situations. the grouping of housing committees and associations of “you’re based tal”: when transparency tenants of Quebec (RCLALQ) now pleads for the anonymization of files at TAL.

This idea of ​​anonymizing the files becomes more. more important in a context of housing crisis, in a market where there are more and more options and where the owners receive a lot of candidates.

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There are courts in which the so -called weak or vulnerable parties will be anonymized to protect the person: we see it for example in youth law. It would be equivalent. but for the rights of tenantscontinues Thomas Savy, who is also working at the Bas-Saint-Laurent housing committee.

“Anecdotal situations. ” says the corpiq

However, on the side of the corporation of real estate owners of Quebec (Corpiq), spokesperson Éric Sansoucy maintains that the situations during which an owner refuses a tenant due to a complaint to Turn remain anecdotal.

The council given to the tenants is to present it transparently rather than letting the owner. discover it by himselfhe explains. When “you’re based tal”: when transparency a tenant files a complaint at Turn For a legitimate reason, the owner includes.

The difference could be played at the level of Quéralence. for example a person who would file a complaint every two years instead of having a discussion with the owner. [Cela peut être un] sign that the relationship will be complicated.

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In addition, Mr. Sansoucy doubts that the anonymization of the files is realized since the transparency of the judicial system is embedded in the Charter of Rights. Freedoms of Quebec and Canada.

This would require a disposition of derogation and it happened twice in the last 35 years. So. we are not on the eve that anecdotal situations transform one of the foundations of our law companyestimates the spokesperson for the Corpiq.

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The RCLACQ However. note that it is impossible to request forgiveness in civil law, unlike criminal law. It becomes an indelible brand, a stain in the backrest [des locataires]. It doesn’t make sensedeplores Mr. Savy.

When we say that for a criminal file. we can ask for forgiveness, but not for a file at Turnit is scaryestimates Véronic Pageau.

With information from Aimée Lemieux