Is the paper lease still relevant in 2025?

With the rise of digital tools, it’s fair to ask whether the paper lease remains relevant in 2025. For landlords and tenants in Québec, several arguments support switching to an electronic lease, though the paper format still retains some usefulness.

The legal status of electronic leases in Québec

In Québec, a residential electronic lease, like its paper counterpart, is a rental contract governed by the Civil Code of Québec and subject to the rules of the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL). The digital lease must meet the same content and consent requirements. Both parties must sign the lease for it to be valid. The signature can be handwritten or electronic, depending on how the lease is prepared. If the lease is completed electronically, it can be signed with an electronic signature. It can also be prepared electronically, then printed and signed by hand.

One of the main advantages of the electronic lease is its ability to quickly adapt to legislative changes. As soon as new regulations come into effect, the digital form can be updated instantly, allowing landlords to stay compliant without reprinting or delays.

Practical advantages of the digital lease

The electronic lease reduces the risk of errors and misunderstandings, such as missing or incorrectly completed fields or illegible handwriting. Specialized platforms, like CORPIQ’s electronic lease (the Bail électronique), allow users to automatically populate sections based on the rental application, sign online, and generate a complete version that complies with the law. This solution also includes explanatory fields to guide users. If legislation is updated, the digital lease is modified immediately and made available to all users, ensuring the use of a compliant version.

In fact, a draft regulation amending the lease form was tabled on September 3, 2025. This project is currently under public consultation and is expected to be adopted in the coming weeks. Once these changes take effect, CORPIQ’s electronic lease will be automatically updated to reflect the new provisions. As for the TAL’s paper lease, the old version will remain valid during a one-year transition period, allowing landlords to gradually adjust.

Among the main proposed modificationss:

• The addition of a clause specifying whether the unit is “smoke-free”;

• The direct integration, into the lease itself, of legislative rules adopted in 2024 concerning clauses F and G. This update will eliminate the need to attach separate notices when these situations apply.

Electronic lease and the environment

The digital lease also aligns with the environmental goals of the real estate sector. Fewer printouts, reduced paper use, fewer trips to meet in person for lease signing, and no need for postal mailings—all of these contribute to reducing your ecological footprint. This shift is part of a broader modernization of administrative practices in real estate.

When does the paper lease remain useful?

The paper lease remains relevant in certain contexts: lack of internet access, reluctance to use digital and technological tools, or situations requiring an immediate, local physical record. It also allows for direct storage in physical files.

Conclusion: are we heading toward the end of the paper lease?

In 2025, the paper lease is becoming increasingly obsolete for most landlords and property managers. The electronic lease stands out as the most flexible solution, faster to adapt when laws change, and better aligned with the environmental and digital priorities of the rental sector.