your landlord has no legs to stand on the regie will agree with you 100% if you file charges but they're closed for now, when they do re open you have to file a case and that fee will be based on what your monthly rent is. then you have to wait for a hearing which will take a long time. but you will win.

make it simple - tell him he's in breach of contract and that per tenant laws in quebec you are no longer under any obligation to respect the lease since he won't allow you to move in.

you may have recourse for compensation for extra expenses such as if you have to rent an airbnb for the duration, i'm not clear on that. it's hardship your landlord imposed by breaching the lease agreement.

document everything. emails, texts, record phone calls, send letters by registered mail. proof proof proof that you can submit to the regie.

a lawyer... try Arnold Bennett's rental clinic, you can find info online. his downtown clinic in the ymca may be shut down for the duration and calling his ndg tel # is going to be horrendous if they're open. in the past when i did it for basic help i had to make sure i kept calling the instant their office opened. and be prepared not to get proper help from juniors in the office. you're better off going to the ymca in person for help and advice.

otherwise a real estate agent who can help will cost you... no idea if you have recourse on that expense.

yes, sign another lease you have to. you need living accommodations. make it clear to your landlord that since he breached the agreement that you are looking for another home and you will sign a lease and you won't move into his accommodations once he decides it's ready.

cost will be low. the regie's website will give you a price for the fee, arnold bennett requests voluntary donation so if your'e happy with their advice in person then e.g. 40$ is enough. get a receipt. get receipts for all costs related to this.

time frame once you file with the regie to getting a hearing is up in the air cos the regie is closed for now. when it reopens they're going to get barraged which means any hearings will take longer than normal. count on a minimum 6 month wait from the time you file to the time a hearing happens, if not longer.

if you fail to appear at the hearing you will lose.

i've lived in montreal more than 25 yrs as a renter and know a lot about my rights which is why i'm paying only 40/m more now than when i moved in :)

stand up for yourself.