Schedule 6 of the RPA lease: decoding personal and non-personal services

Last updated: July 19, 2026

Before you sign a lease at a certified seniors' private residence (RPA) in Quebec, there is one document you should never skim: Schedule 6. Attached to the standard lease form issued by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL), this mandatory schedule sets out every service the residence offers, flags whether each one is personal or non-personal in nature, and states its price. Taking the time to read it closely — and to understand what each part really means — is what shields you from unexpected charges and puts you on firm ground should you ever need to assert your rights.

What is Schedule 6 of an RPA lease?

Across Quebec, every certified RPA must use the standard residential lease form issued by the TAL. Schedule 6 is the specific attachment created for seniors' residences, and it acts as the official inventory of every service the residence undertakes to provide, itemized as follows:

• whether each service is included in the base rent or available as an option;
• the monthly price (or per-unit price, depending on the service);
• whether the service is classified as "personal" (specific to individual needs) or "non-personal" (available to all residents).

Schedule 6 carries full contractual weight: the moment it is signed, it becomes part of your lease. Any service marked as included is one the residence is legally bound to deliver, while an optional service you use is billed at the rate shown. And if a residence ever tries to charge you for something that does not appear in Schedule 6, you have every right to refuse. For guidance on reading the full lease, see our page on reading and verifying your RPA lease clause by clause.

If any clause or rate leaves you uncertain, turn to the TAL website (tal.gouv.qc.ca), to Éducaloi (educaloi.qc.ca), or to a CAAP (Comité d'aide et d'accompagnement des aînés et de leurs proches), which provides seniors with free guidance on lease-related questions.

Personal services vs. non-personal services: why the distinction matters

Splitting services into "personal" and "non-personal" categories is far from a mere formality. It shapes how your monthly bill is put together, how future increases are worked out, and what recourse is open to you if circumstances change.

Non-personal services

Non-personal services are collective amenities offered to every resident, whatever their individual health status. They usually include:

• meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the common dining room);
• group activities and entertainment programs;
• security and emergency monitoring (call system, 24/7 on-call staff);
• housekeeping of common areas;
• access to shared facilities (lounge, library, fitness room);
• organized group transportation.

These services are normally folded into the base rent and are identical for every resident in a given unit type. They make up the "floor" of what your monthly fee buys you.

Personal services

Personal services are individualized care and assistance matched to each resident's particular needs. They are charged on top of the base rent, and their cost shifts with how often and how intensively they are needed. Common examples include:

• bathing and personal hygiene assistance;
• help dressing or getting in and out of bed;
• medication dispensing and management;
• periodic or regular nursing care;
• cognitive supervision (accompaniment for residents with memory loss);
• on-site physiotherapy or occupational therapy;
• individual medical transportation.

These services are usually priced by the hour, by the visit, or as a monthly package, depending on the residence. The bill can climb noticeably as your needs grow over time. To plan ahead, review our breakdown of additional care costs in a senior residence.

How to read Schedule 6 line by line

Schedule 6 takes the form of a table. Here is a practical way to work through it:

1. "Service" column: Read each description carefully. "Bathing assistance" and "full bath" can mean very different things in practice. If a description is vague, ask management for clarification in writing before signing.
2. "Included / Optional" column: An included service is part of your base rent. An optional service will be billed separately based on consumption or assessed need. Understand this distinction before you sign.
3. "Price" column: The rate must be stated clearly — per month, per visit, per hour, etc. A blank or vague price is a warning sign. Request a written clarification before proceeding.
4. Services not listed: Any service that does not appear in Schedule 6 cannot be unilaterally billed to you later. If a residence offers a service that is not yet listed, ask to have it added by signed addendum before you move in.

Hold Schedule 6 up against your assessed autonomy level (category 1 through 4) to confirm that the services listed match your real needs — without understating them (which could leave you underserviced) or overstating them (which drives costs up needlessly). For a full picture of your legal protections as a resident, see our guide on rights of RPA residents in Quebec.

What can change during the lease

After you have signed, the residence cannot change the services and rates set out in Schedule 6 on its own during the lease year. That said, changes remain possible under specific conditions:

• At lease renewal: The residence may propose modifications to services or rates, provided it gives you written notice within the legally required notice period (typically three to six months before the renewal date). You then have the right to accept, negotiate, or refuse the proposed changes.
• By mutual addendum: If your needs change and you want to add or remove a personal service during the lease year, a written addendum signed by both parties can amend Schedule 6. This must be a voluntary agreement — it cannot be imposed on you.
• Care escalation: If your health requires additional personal services, the residence may add them to Schedule 6 by mutual agreement and adjust your bill accordingly. Ask in advance about applicable rate scales so there are no surprises.

To dig deeper into the rules on rent increases, see our page on rent increases in an RPA: your rights.

Making sure the services are actually delivered

Signing Schedule 6 is only the start of the process, not its conclusion. Here is how to confirm that what is promised on paper is actually delivered in practice:

• Keep a log: Note dates and times for personal services received (bathing assistance, medication rounds, etc.). In any dispute, this record becomes valuable evidence.
• Review monthly invoices: Compare each charge against the signed Schedule 6. Services not listed there, or quantities that seem excessive, are worth questioning.
• Put concerns in writing: If you notice a discrepancy, raise it by email or letter with management, so you have a written trail of the issue and any response.
• Available recourse: If the residence does not honour its commitments, a CAAP can provide free accompaniment, or you can file an application with the TAL. For complex situations, consulting a notaire or avocat is also an option.

Frequently asked questions

Can I negotiate the prices listed in Schedule 6 before signing?

In principle, yes — nothing stops you from discussing the terms before you sign. Larger residences usually have little room to move on personal-service rates, though some may throw in a trial period, a bundled discount, or a temporary inclusion. Always line up the Schedule 6 documents from several residences side by side, and consider reaching out to Éducaloi or a CAAP to confirm that any proposed clauses comply with Quebec law.

Can a residence raise the price of a personal service mid-lease?

No — not without your written consent. The rates in Schedule 6 form part of your lease. Changing one mid-lease calls for a signed addendum from both parties, or a proper notice at renewal that respects the required notice period. Should a residence try to impose an increase without following this process, you are free to contest it. Reach out to the TAL or a CAAP if the residence will not back down.

What should I do if a listed service is not being delivered?

Begin by putting the issue in writing to management — quoting the exact service description from Schedule 6 — and hold on to a copy. If it is not resolved, a CAAP can walk you through the process free of charge. As a last resort, the TAL is the body empowered to rule on disputes over lease non-performance. Keep your signed lease and Schedule 6 somewhere safe for the whole of your stay.

Does Schedule 6 cover services provided by the CLSC or the public health network?

No. Services delivered by a CLSC or any public-sector provider (home nursing through a CISSS/CIUSSS, publicly funded occupational therapy, etc.) are not part of Schedule 6. They are funded and managed by Quebec's public health system, not by the residence. Schedule 6 covers only what the RPA itself provides and bills. The two systems are complementary: public services often reduce what you need to purchase privately, and a CLSC referral can sometimes be arranged through the residence's social worker.