Private seniors' residence leases: how-to for future tenants

  • April 17, 2024
  • The elderly, Private seniors’ residences
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Un couple de personnes âgées lisent un document en affichant un air sérieux.
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Thinking of moving to a private seniors' residence (RPA)? Here's what you need to know before signing a lease.

To be certified as an RPA, a seniors' residence must comply with several rules established by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS). RPAs offer various services to their autonomous or semi-autonomous tenants, for example, meals, housekeeping, personal assistance, nursing care and recreational activities.

The RPA Register lists all residences certified by MSSS. You can also search the Register by region or by service.

More than a home: a living environment tailored to your needs

Your use of the personal services offered by the residence depends on your needs. In many cases, you have the option of paying each time you use a service or including it in the lease for a fixed monthly amount. 

Services included in the lease are billed every month, even if you don't use them. You may also be required to pay for them even if you are away. During the lease, services may be added for the remainder of the term, but the residence is under no obligation to agree to withdrawing a service.

To find out more about your future living environment and the services offered, consult the welcome document. It must be given to you by any residence that can accommodate more than six tenants.

Feel free to ask the residence manager any questions you may have.

The rental lease: a contract

An RPA lease consists of three mandatory documents:

The RPA lease form is the same as that for any other private dwelling. The residence may include various clauses, but they must not contravene the law.

For example, it is illegal for owners to:

Does your lease contain a clause that is illegal within the meaning of the law? You still have your rights, even if you signed the lease.

To find out more

See the Tribunal administratif du logement website and the following guides:


Also see:
Tenants in private seniors' residences: your rights and recourse
Choosing a private seniors' residence