What do I need to consider before renting out my property in British Columbia?
A thorough screening of prospective tenants by the landlord before entering into any kind of tenancy agreement is the best way to avoid future disputes. Tenancy Application Forms Landlords may wish to have prospective tenants fill out an application form. However, they must not charge anything for accepting an application [...]
Before drafting a tenancy agreement, parties should check to make sure that the proposed living accommodation does in fact fall within the scope of the Residential Tenancy Act (the Act). For example, taking on a paying roommate who shares a bathroom or a kitchen with the owner of the property [...]
A landlord may require a security deposit (or a damage deposit) from the tenant upon entering into a tenancy agreement. However, landlords may not require more than one security deposit nor can they require a security deposit at any other time. The purpose of such deposit is to help cover [...]
A landlord may wish to either restrict the size, kind or number of pets kept by the tenant or prohibit all together the keeping of pets. In all cases, they are entitled to do so unless that pet is recognized as a guide or service dog. A landlord may also [...]
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. [...]
Prior to the start of a new tenancy, only upon a request by the tenant, the landlord must rekey the locks to ensure that no previous tenant can access the rental unit. The landlord must do so at their own costs. However, if the landlord has already changed or otherwise [...]
