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 housing lease form from the Tribunal administrative du logement. It must indicate the total cost of the rent, i.e. the basic rent amount and that of the services you have chosen to include in the lease;
- Appendix 6, which details all the services offered by the residence and their cost;
- The residence rules (or building rules) setting out the rules to be respected in your living environment.
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:
- Require any deposit (other than the first month's rent) or housing preparation fee;
- Impose a curfew or restrict your comings and goings or those of your visitors;
- Evict you, terminate the lease or amend it as they see fit;
- Enter your home without at least 24 hours' notice, except in an emergency;
- Claim costs to cover damage that you did not cause.
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:
- Signing a lease in a private seniors' residence;
- Habiter en RPA : bail, droits et obligations (in French only).
Also see:
Tenants in private seniors' residences: your rights and recourse
Choosing a private seniors' residence
