Breaking a Lease Early in Quebec
Leaving before your lease ends isn't automatic, but you have real options, including your landlord's duty to try to re-rent.
Last updated: September 2026
Your Options
If you need to leave before your Quebec lease ends, your main options are: subletting or assigning the lease (see our sublet & assignment guide), which is a strong tenant right in Quebec; or negotiating a mutual agreement with your landlord to end the lease early.
The Landlord's Duty to Try to Re-Rent
If you simply leave without subletting, assigning, or a mutual agreement, you generally remain responsible for rent until the lease ends or the landlord re-rents the unit, whichever comes first. Your landlord has a duty to make reasonable efforts to re-rent the unit rather than leaving it vacant and billing you for the full remaining term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I just leave my Quebec rental early without an agreement?
You generally remain responsible for rent until the lease ends or the landlord re-rents the unit, whichever happens first. The landlord has a duty to make reasonable efforts to re-rent rather than leave it vacant.
Sources
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