The Corporation of Quebec Real Estate Owners (CORPIQ) unveiled on Monday that it will submit its members to a code of ethics and professional conduct over the next year.

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“Over the next few months, the next year, we will consult with experts. We also want to have a training plan,” Marc-André Plante, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations at CORPIQ, told QUB radio.

This code of ethics would frame the duties of the owners, but would also be accompanied by training and a support plan, detailed Mr. Plante.

From the perspective of tenants, the new code of ethics should make it possible to file complaints against problematic landlords. These may eventually be subject to sanctions, which could go as far as expulsion from CORPIQ, mentioned the official.

Protect housing

In addition, Mr. Plante pointed out, a few weeks after the great waltz of moves on July 1, that approximately 44% of owners find one of their dwellings in a state deemed “unacceptable” following the departure of a tenant. In addition, 22% of tenants leave without paying their last month's rent.

“When we bring it back annually, it’s still 50,000 files that end up in the administrative court for non-payment. It represents $250 million,” lamented Mr. Plante, arguing for the introduction of a form of security deposit, a measure prohibited by law in Quebec.