Roommates
There are benefits to living with a roommate: sharing accommodation can cut down your expenses, offer companionship, and provide a sense of security. At the same time, finding the wrong roommate could have a serious impact on your quality of life, so make sure you choose wisely.
Human Rights
While the Residential Tenancy Act is the main piece of legislation that governs tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities, section 10 of the BC Human Rights Code provides tenants with additional protections concerning discrimination in tenancies.
Locks and Keys
You have the right to feel safe and secure in your home at all times. Regardless the stage of your tenancy, your landlord must follow the rules in the Residential Tenancy Act regarding locks and keys.
Fees
Your landlord can include certain fees as part of your tenancy agreement, but there are limits to what they can charge you. In addition to the illegal fees listed below, always remember that your landlord cannot force you to follow an unconscionable term. If you think that a fee you are being charged, or any term of your tenancy agreement, is oppressive or grossly unfair, it may be unenforceable.
Deposits
A security deposit – often referred to as a “damage deposit” – secures the tenancy for you and your landlord. Once you have paid your deposit, you cannot decide to move in somewhere else, and your landlord cannot decide to rent to someone else. If you pay a security deposit but do not move in, your landlord may be allowed to keep your deposit. You may even have to pay additional money to cover the cost associated with re-renting your unit, or to cover your landlord’s lost rental income if they cannot find a replacement tenant.
Tenancy Agreements
Although verbal tenancy agreements are covered by the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), it is always best to have a written agreement with your landlord. Signing a hardcopy contract is one of the best ways you can protect yourself as a tenant, since it proves the terms you agreed to at the start of your tenancy.
Finding Rental Housing
If you are looking to enter BC’s competitive rental housing market, consider registering for Renting It Right: Finding a Home – a video-based and self-paced online course that has been designed for first-time tenants. Students will learn how to search for housing, put together a strong rental application, and safely sign a tenancy agreement. Key topics include: (1) Needs & Preferences; (2) Finding a Place; (3) Rental Applications; (4) Tenancy Agreements; and (5) Moving In.
Am I Covered by the Law?
When renting a home in BC, you want to be covered by the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA). If the RTA does not apply to your living situation, you will still have certain rights under common law, but they will be less clear and harder to enforce. The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) and Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) can only provide legal assistance to tenants and landlords protected by the RTA.
Pets
According to section 18 of the Residential Tenancy Act, landlords can restrict pets entirely, or set limits on the number, size, or type of pets a tenant can have in their rental unit. If your landlord allows you to have a pet, it is important to include that term in your tenancy agreement. Do not rely on verbal permission alone – make sure it is in writing.
Membership
Show your support for TRAC by becoming a member! It costs $5 for a 5-year membership term and the only eligibility requirement is that you cannot be a landlord.