In Quebec, the question comes up with every infestation: who pays the exterminator, the tenant or the landlord? The short answer can be summed up in two words: the owner. But this simple answer hides important nuances depending on the nature of the pest, the probable cause of the infestation, and the tenant’s collaboration in the resolution. This guide details the Quebec legal framework in effect in 2026, the cases in which the owner pays systematically, the rare exceptions, and the procedure to follow when a landlord refuses to intervene. <\/p>\n\n
Article 1854 of the Civil Code of Qu\u00e9bec requires the landlord (owner) to provide the tenant with a dwelling in a good state of habitability, cleanliness and sanitation. This obligation is said to be of public order, which means that no lease clause can circumvent it. The presence of pests (mice, rats, bed bugs, cockroaches, carpenter ants, bats in the walls) is considered to be an attack on the health of the dwelling, and its eradication is the responsibility of the owner. <\/p>\n\n
The Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL, formerly the R\u00e9gie du logement) applies this obligation consistently. More than 95% of the decisions rendered on pest disputes between 2018 and 2024 held the owner liable, including in cases where the origin of the infestation remained uncertain. The guiding principle: the tenant does not have to prove the origin, only the presence and the report. <\/p>\n\n
| Location<\/th>\n | Responsible<\/th>\n | Legal basis<\/th>\n<\/tr><\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|
| Mice in the walls when moving<\/td> | Owner<\/td> | Art. 1854 CcQ + 1893<\/td><\/tr>\n |
| Bed bugs in multi-unit buildings<\/td> | Owner<\/td> | Art. 1854 + Mtl By-law 2018<\/td><\/tr>\n |
| Cockroaches with migration between dwellings<\/td> | Owner<\/td> | Art. 1854 (sanitation)<\/td><\/tr>\n |
| Bats in the attic of a duplex<\/td> | Owner<\/td> | Art. 1854 (envelope)<\/td><\/tr>\n |
| Carpenter ants in the structure<\/td> | Owner<\/td> | Art. 1854 (structure)<\/td><\/tr>\n |
| Rats from the sewer or street<\/td> | Owner<\/td> | Art. 1854 + By-law<\/td><\/tr>\n |
| Wasp nest on the outdoor cornice<\/td> | Owner<\/td> | Common property of the building<\/td><\/tr>\n |
| Preventive rodent caulking<\/td> | Owner<\/td> | Structural maintenance<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\nThe rare exceptions where the tenant may be responsible<\/h2>\n\nThere are three main situations in which the landlord can have the tenant’s liability recognized, provided that formal proof is provided (photos, testimonies, exterminator reports). First, the demonstrated introduction of infested furniture by the tenant (used purchase, move from an infested dwelling), with proof that the dwelling was healthy before arrival. Secondly, serious and documented health negligence: accumulation of organic waste, dishes left for several weeks, unauthorized breeding of animals that have attracted rodents or parasites. Third, the tenant’s systematic refusal to cooperate with the preventive measures requested (preparation for treatment, access to the exterminator, decluttering required for thermal treatment of bed bugs). <\/p>\n\n In these cases, the landlord can either refuse to pay for the extermination, or have it done and deduct the cost of the next deposit or rent after agreement with the TAL. Proof is often difficult to establish, and the decisions of the TAL in favour of the owner remain in the minority (estimated at less than 5% of the cases brought in dispute). <\/p>\n\n How to Document an Infestation as a Tenant<\/h2>\n\nInitial documentation is crucial to avoid being blamed for being late in reporting or for introducing the pest yourself. Four actions to take in the first 48 hours. <\/p>\n\n Photograph the presence (droppings, damage, captured individuals) with the EXIF date visible. Store any specimens in a closed container in the freezer for identification. Report in writing (email or formal notice) to the owner with acknowledgement of receipt, explicitly requesting an intervention within 7 days. Bring in a certified PMRA exterminator for a report (cost $175 to $285, reimbursable by the owner). The report should name the species, the estimated magnitude, and the probable cause. <\/p>\n\n What to do if the landlord refuses or delays<\/h2>\n\nIf, after a 7-day written formal notice, the landlord has not mandated an exterminator, the tenant has three legal remedies. First, file an application with the Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL) to order the execution of work. Typical time frame: 4 to 8 weeks for a hearing, but an emergency request can be granted in 7 to 14 days for cases of health risk (rats, hantavirus, cockroaches in children). Second, contact the municipal sanitation department: the City of Montreal, the City of Longueuil and several cities on the South Shore have inspectors authorized to issue notices of violation. Thirdly, have the extermination done yourself and claim reimbursement from the TAL with invoices and report. <\/p>\n\n Complementary by-laws<\/h2>\n\nSeveral municipalities have strengthened the framework since 2018. Since 2018, the City of Montreal has required mandatory reporting of bed bug infestations in buildings with 8 or more units (by-law 18-005), with fines of up to $4,000 for defaulting owners. Longueuil and Brossard have similar by-laws on rats and rodents, with municipal inspection possible. Check your city’s bylaw before making assumptions about the framework. <\/p>\n\n Special case: co-ownership (condo)<\/h2>\n\nIn divided co-ownership, the rule becomes more complicated. If the pest only affects your unit (without migration), it is typically your responsibility as a co-owner. If the pest affects the common areas (shared walls, crawl space, collective attic, roof soffits), it is the syndicate of co-ownership that takes charge. The distinction is often made by the exterminator’s report on the routes of entry and migration. If you are a tenant in a condominium, it is the co-owner-landlord who pays, not the syndicate. <\/p>\n\n Indicative costs and insurance<\/h2>\n\n |