Preparing to Rent - Revision history

Nate Russell: Retired Tenant Survival Guide page; directing readers to current TRAC resource

2026-04-01T19:31:08Z

Retired Tenant Survival Guide page; directing readers to current TRAC resource

Andrew Sakamoto: /* The law in BC */

2020-09-17T23:13:43Z

The law in BC

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:13, 17 September 2020
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	* legal information in person, over the phone, and by email;		* legal information in person, over the phone, and by email;
	* [http://www.gov.bc.ca/landlordtenant website] and social media;		* [http://www.gov.bc.ca/landlordtenant website] and social media;
	* online tools, such as ~~a [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=5D260CCC9DE04EEB8034BA387F149B74 Solution Explorer] and~~ [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=F49014A2C3B14F0391D3BE209E32B427 Calculators];		* online tools, such as [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=F49014A2C3B14F0391D3BE209E32B427 Calculators];
	* [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=49B9F45B33D040A3BCD1498D604B48AB online application] process for dispute resolution;		* [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=49B9F45B33D040A3BCD1498D604B48AB online application] process for dispute resolution;
	* approved residential tenancy [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=8CF94F8057DF4E379952D016750480CA forms];		* approved residential tenancy [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=8CF94F8057DF4E379952D016750480CA forms];

Desy Wahyuni: moved {{REVIEWED}} to top of page

2019-01-10T20:01:38Z

moved {{REVIEWED}} to top of page

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:01, 10 January 2019
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	{{Tenant Survival Guide TOC}}		{{Tenant Survival Guide TOC}}
			{{REVIEWED \| reviewer = [[Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre]], 2018}}
	'''DO:''' educate yourself about renting in BC. Read this ''Tenant Survival Guide'' and complete TRAC’s online course, ''[https://rentingitright.ca Renting It Right]''.		'''DO:''' educate yourself about renting in BC. Read this ''Tenant Survival Guide'' and complete TRAC’s online course, ''[https://rentingitright.ca Renting It Right]''.

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	~~{{REVIEWED \| reviewer = [[Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre]], 2018}}~~

	{{Tenant Survival Guide Navbox}}		{{Tenant Survival Guide Navbox}}

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Housing covered by the RTA */

2018-12-20T18:50:29Z

Housing covered by the RTA

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:50, 20 December 2018
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	===Housing covered by the ''RTA''===		===Housing covered by the ''RTA''===

	The good news is that most rental housing in BC is protected by the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)]". Tenants most commonly live in apartment buildings or rented houses, including secondary suites, but the ''RTA'' can apply to other types of housing too. Rented co-op units, hotel tenancies, illegal secondary suites, rental units on “lands reserved for Indians”, strata buildings (condos or townhomes), subsidized housing, and verbal tenancies can all be covered by the ''RTA'', to varying degrees. These types of tenancies may involve additional laws and governing bodies and can present complex scenarios for tenants and landlords.		The good news is that most rental housing in BC is protected by the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)]''. Tenants most commonly live in apartment buildings or rented houses, including secondary suites, but the ''RTA'' can apply to other types of housing too. Rented co-op units, hotel tenancies, illegal secondary suites, rental units on “lands reserved for Indians”, strata buildings (condos or townhomes), subsidized housing, and verbal tenancies can all be covered by the ''RTA'', to varying degrees. These types of tenancies may involve additional laws and governing bodies and can present complex scenarios for tenants and landlords.

	'''Cooperative Housing:''' The ''RTA'' does not apply to accommodation rented by a housing cooperative, or “co-op”, to a member of the cooperative. However, if you rent from a member of a co-op, and are not a member yourself, you will most likely be protected by the ''RTA''.		'''Cooperative Housing:''' The ''RTA'' does not apply to accommodation rented by a housing cooperative, or “co-op”, to a member of the cooperative. However, if you rent from a member of a co-op, and are not a member yourself, you will most likely be protected by the ''RTA''.

Andrew Sakamoto at 18:34, 20 December 2018

2018-12-20T18:34:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:34, 20 December 2018
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	'''DO NOT:''' forget that by signing a tenancy agreement you are entering into a legal contract. Protect yourself by learning about your rights and responsibilities under the ''Residential Tenancy Act''.		'''DO NOT:''' forget that by signing a tenancy agreement you are entering into a legal contract. Protect yourself by learning about your rights and responsibilities under the ''Residential Tenancy Act''.

			[[File:Tenant looking for rental.jpg \| right \| frame \| link= ]]

	==The law in BC==		==The law in BC==
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	When renting a home in BC, you want to be covered by the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 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		When renting a home in BC, you want to be covered by the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 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''.		assistance to tenants and landlords protected by the ''RTA''.

	~~[[File:Tenant looking for rental.jpg \| right \| frame \| link= ]]~~

	===Housing ''not'' covered by the ''RTA''===		===Housing ''not'' covered by the ''RTA''===

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Legislation and links */

2018-12-20T18:10:00Z

Legislation and links

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:10, 20 December 2018
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	It is important to understand the difference between the terms “owner”, “landlord”, and “agent”. All tenancies under the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 Residential Tenancy Act] (RTA)'' have an owner who is automatically considered a landlord. In addition, some tenancies will include agents acting as secondary landlords on behalf of the owner. For example, if you rent a unit in a large apartment building, there is a good chance the owner will hire a property management company to manage the building. In this situation, the owner and the property management company, acting as the owner’s agent, are considered your landlords. This means that if you have any problems during your tenancy, you can list both of them on an application for dispute resolution. See [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section1 section 1] of the ''RTA'' for more information.		It is important to understand the difference between the terms “owner”, “landlord”, and “agent”. All tenancies under the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 Residential Tenancy Act] (RTA)'' have an owner who is automatically considered a landlord. In addition, some tenancies will include agents acting as secondary landlords on behalf of the owner. For example, if you rent a unit in a large apartment building, there is a good chance the owner will hire a property management company to manage the building. In this situation, the owner and the property management company, acting as the owner’s agent, are considered your landlords. This means that if you have any problems during your tenancy, you can list both of them on an application for dispute resolution. See [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section1 section 1] of the ''RTA'' for more information.

	~~== Legislation and links ==~~

	~~===Legislation===~~		{{REVIEWED \| reviewer = [[Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre]], 2018}}

	*''[[Residential Tenancy Act]]''
	*''[[Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act]]''
	*''[http://canlii.ca/t/843q BC Human Rights Code]''

	~~=== Links ===~~

	*[[Residential Tenancy Branch]]

	{{REVIEWED \| reviewer = [[Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre]], ~~2012~~}}

	{{Tenant Survival Guide Navbox}}		{{Tenant Survival Guide Navbox}}

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Landlords, owners, and agents */

2018-12-19T23:21:10Z

Landlords, owners, and agents

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:21, 19 December 2018
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	==Landlords, owners, and agents==		==Landlords, owners, and agents==

	It is important to understand the difference between the terms “owner”, “landlord”, and “agent”. All tenancies under the ''[[Residential Tenancy Act]] (RTA)'' have an owner who is automatically considered a landlord. In addition, some tenancies will include agents acting as secondary landlords on behalf of the owner. For example, if you rent a unit in a large apartment building, there is a good chance the owner will hire a property management company to manage the building. In this situation, the owner and the property management company, acting as the owner’s agent, are considered your landlords. This means that if you have any problems during your tenancy, you can list both of them on an application for dispute resolution. See [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section1 section 1] of the ''RTA'' for more information.		It is important to understand the difference between the terms “owner”, “landlord”, and “agent”. All tenancies under the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 Residential Tenancy Act] (RTA)'' have an owner who is automatically considered a landlord. In addition, some tenancies will include agents acting as secondary landlords on behalf of the owner. For example, if you rent a unit in a large apartment building, there is a good chance the owner will hire a property management company to manage the building. In this situation, the owner and the property management company, acting as the owner’s agent, are considered your landlords. This means that if you have any problems during your tenancy, you can list both of them on an application for dispute resolution. See [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section1 section 1] of the ''RTA'' for more information.

	== Legislation and links ==		== Legislation and links ==

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Housing covered by the RTA */

2018-12-19T23:20:05Z

Housing covered by the RTA

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:20, 19 December 2018
Line 58:		Line 58:
	===Housing covered by the ''RTA''===		===Housing covered by the ''RTA''===

	The good news is that most rental housing in BC is protected by the ''Residential Tenancy Act'' (''RTA''). Tenants most commonly live in apartment buildings or rented houses, including secondary suites, but the ''RTA'' can apply to other types of housing too. Rented co-op units, hotel tenancies, illegal secondary suites, rental units on “lands reserved for Indians”, strata buildings (condos or townhomes), subsidized housing, and verbal tenancies can all be covered by the ''RTA'', to varying degrees. These types of tenancies may involve additional laws and governing bodies and can present complex scenarios for tenants and landlords.		The good news is that most rental housing in BC is protected by the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)]". Tenants most commonly live in apartment buildings or rented houses, including secondary suites, but the ''RTA'' can apply to other types of housing too. Rented co-op units, hotel tenancies, illegal secondary suites, rental units on “lands reserved for Indians”, strata buildings (condos or townhomes), subsidized housing, and verbal tenancies can all be covered by the ''RTA'', to varying degrees. These types of tenancies may involve additional laws and governing bodies and can present complex scenarios for tenants and landlords.

	'''Cooperative Housing:''' The ''RTA'' does not apply to accommodation rented by a housing cooperative, or “co-op”, to a member of the cooperative. However, if you rent from a member of a co-op, and are not a member yourself, you will most likely be protected by the ''RTA''.		'''Cooperative Housing:''' The ''RTA'' does not apply to accommodation rented by a housing cooperative, or “co-op”, to a member of the cooperative. However, if you rent from a member of a co-op, and are not a member yourself, you will most likely be protected by the ''RTA''.

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Are you covered by the law? */

2018-12-19T23:18:22Z

Are you covered by the law?

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 19 December 2018
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	==Are you covered by the law?==		==Are you 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		When renting a home in BC, you want to be covered by the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 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''.		assistance to tenants and landlords protected by the ''RTA''.

Andrew Sakamoto at 23:17, 19 December 2018

2018-12-19T23:17:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:17, 19 December 2018
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	==The law in BC==		==The law in BC==

	If you pay rent for your home, you are most likely protected by the ''Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)'' – the law that outlines tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities. The ''RTA'' is a provincial law that applies only to British Columbia (BC). If you have rented in other provinces or countries, do not assume that the same rules apply. After reading this ''Tenant Survival Guide'', you may be surprised at how BC’s tenancy laws differ from tenancy laws around the world.		If you pay rent for your home, you are most likely protected by the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)]'' – the law that outlines tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities. The ''RTA'' is a provincial law that applies only to British Columbia (BC). If you have rented in other provinces or countries, do not assume that the same rules apply. After reading this ''Tenant Survival Guide'', you may be surprised at how BC’s tenancy laws differ from tenancy laws around the world.

	One of the most important things to understand about the ''RTA'' is that it cannot be avoided. All tenants are guaranteed certain legal rights by law, regardless of what their tenancy		One of the most important things to understand about the ''RTA'' is that it cannot be avoided. All tenants are guaranteed certain legal rights by law, regardless of what their tenancy