On May 30, 2025, Ombudsperson Marc-André Dowd sent a letter to the Minister of Housing, France-Élaine Duranceau. In it, he commented on the draft Regulation to amend the Regulation respecting the criteria for the fixing of rent.
One change in the draft regulation could have repercussions on how rents are set in private seniors’ residences. More specifically, it eliminates a provision for calculating increases in the cost of services of a personal nature – meals, nursing care, etc. – provided to the lessee. Instead, the draft regulation provides a general calculation method applicable to all types of lodging.
In the Ombudsperson’s opinion, the specific nature of the rents in private seniors’ residences, including personal services, must be taken into account when setting rents. It is important, therefore, to thoroughly assess the consequences of the proposed change, in terms of both respect for the rights of the lessees and the financing and quality of the services offered in such residences.
