On the day that the tenant is entitled to possession of the rental unit or on any other day that the landlord and the tenant may agree upon, the landlord and the tenant must inspect the condition of the rental unit and the landlord must complete a condition inspection report. Once completed, both parties must sign the report and the landlord must give a copy of the report to the tenant within 7 days after the day of the inspection.

A landlord must offer a tenant at least two separate opportunities for this inspection. If the tenant does not participate in the inspection on either occasion, the landlord must inspect the property by themselves, complete the report, sign it without the tenant and give a copy of the report to the tenant within the prescribed period of time.

Consequences of a failure to perform or attend a move-in inspection

By not participating on either occasion, the tenant forfeits their right to the return of their security deposit or pet damage deposit, or both. However, if a landlord fails to offer a minimum of two opportunities for inspection to the tenant or if the landlord does not complete the condition inspection report and give a copy of it to the tenant within the required period, the landlord may not make any subsequent claim against a security deposit or a pet deposit, or both.

Last revised: October 16, 2022

DOWNLOAD: Condition Inspection Report (RTB-27)

Oscar’s Tips for Landlords

  • It is recommended that you take pictures of the property on the same day as the completion of the inspection. Send copies of the pictures to your tenant and have your tenant acknowledge that these pictures accurately represent the condition of the property at the time of the inspection. These pictures may serve as important proof in the event of any future claim for damage to the rental unit.
  • Whenever you offer an opportunity for the tenant to inspect the property, you should put the proposed date in an email to the tenant. This may serve as important evidence later on of you having provided at least two opportunities for the tenant to inspect the property.
This article explains in a general way the law that applies in British Columbia, Canada and is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your situation.