not be varied except where at least 12 months have passed since the day of the last rental increase (if applicable) or the commencement of the tenancy (otherwise), and notice of an increase in rent must be provided at least 3 months in advance in the prescribed form. A landlord may only increase the rent under a tenancy agreement by the amount approved under provincial regulations, agreed to in writing by the tenant, or exceptionally permitted in accordance with regulations. Nominate contracts specific to Québec Contracts similar in nature to sale In Québec, the civil code contains special provisions for three types of nominate contracts that are described as being "similar" to contracts of sale. The first of these is the contract of exchange, defined as "a contract by which the parties transfer ownership of property other than money to each other". The code provides that "where one of the parties proves, even after having received the property transferred" to them under a contract of exchange, "that the other party was not the owner of the property", the first party is not obliged to honour their obligation under the contract but instead may be "compelled to return" the property that they unrightfully received. A party who has such property seized from them may seek damages or recover the property that they provided under the contract of exchange. For all other purposes, the code specifies that "the rules pertaining to contracts of sale apply to contracts of exchange". The second type of contract that falls within this category is a contract of "giving in payment", which is defined as a contract under which a debtor transfers property to a creditor in lieu of "a sum of money or other property" owed to them by the debtor. The general rules prescribed for contracts of sale, including those regarding warranties, apply to contracts of giving in payment. The code also provides that a "clause by which a creditor, with a view to securing the performance of the obligation of his debtor, reserves the right to become the irrevocable owner of the property or to dispose of it" is void. The third type of contract in this category is "alienation for rent", which is defined as "contract by which the lessor transfers the ownership of an immovable to a lessee in return for a ground rent which the latter obligates himself to pay". Essentially