Rent - Revision history

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

2026-04-01T19:32:14Z

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

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Tenant Survival Guide TOC}}
+{{RetiredResourcePage
-{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre]], 2018}}
+|retired_resource=Tenant Survival Guide
-'''DO:''' pay your full rent on time. Failing to do so could result in a 10 Day Eviction Notice for Non-Payment of Rent.
+|owner=TRAC
+|image=Tenant_Survival_Guide_cover_image.jpg
-'''DO NOT:''' stop paying rent unless the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 Residential Tenancy Act]'' allows you to do so. If your landlord is breaking the law, you will most likely have to apply for dispute resolution through the Residential Tenancy Branch.
+|replacement_title=Paying Rent
+|replacement_url=https://tenants.bc.ca/your-tenancy/paying-rent
 }}

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Exceptions to rent increase rules */

2024-06-18T20:58:02Z

Exceptions to rent increase rules

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:58, 18 June 2024
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	===Additional occupants added===		===Additional occupants added===

	If you wish to move someone ~~in to~~ your rental unit, you should first check your tenancy agreement. Your landlord may be allowed to raise your rent for additional occupants, but only if your agreement specifies by how much. If your tenancy agreement does not include such a term, your landlord cannot legally raise your rent when an additional occupant moves in. See [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section13 section 13] and [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section40 section 40] of ~~the ''Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)'' for more information~~.		If you wish to move someone into your rental unit, you should first check your tenancy agreement. Your landlord may be allowed to raise your rent for additional occupants, but only if your agreement specifies by how much. If your tenancy agreement does not include such a term, your landlord cannot legally raise your rent when an additional occupant moves in. Your landlord cannot increase rent for an additional occupant under the age of 19 – even if that person later turns 19 while living there.

	===Residential Tenancy Branch permission===		===Residential Tenancy Branch permission===

	Your landlord can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) for an additional rent increase above the allowable annual percentage. Arbitrators will only allow these additional rent increases in exceptional circumstances, listed in [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_477_2003#section23 ~~section~~ 23] of the ''Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR)''.		Your landlord can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) for an additional rent increase above the allowable annual percentage. Arbitrators will only allow these additional rent increases in exceptional circumstances, listed in [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_477_2003#section23 sections 23 and 23.1] of the ''Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR)''.

	The application fee for landlords is $300, plus $10 for each rental unit, to a maximum of $600. If your landlord applies for an additional rent increase, you will be served with a package of hearing documents, including the evidence they have submitted. As the respondent, you will have a chance to speak during the hearing and submit evidence that challenges your landlord’s application. See RTB [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/housing-and-tenancy/residential-tenancies/policy-guidelines/gl37.pdf Policy Guideline 37] for more information.		The application fee for landlords is $300, plus $10 for each rental unit, to a maximum of $600. If your landlord applies for an additional rent increase, you will be served with a package of hearing documents, including the evidence they have submitted. As the respondent, you will have a chance to speak during the hearing and submit evidence that challenges your landlord’s application. See RTB [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/housing-and-tenancy/residential-tenancies/policy-guidelines/gl37.pdf Policy Guideline 37] for more information.

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Problems paying rent */

2022-01-12T19:26:23Z

Problems paying rent

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:26, 12 January 2022
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	===Problems paying rent===		===Problems paying rent===

	If you know that you will be unable to pay your full rent on time, communicate with your landlord as soon as possible. Your landlord may allow you to pay your rent late – especially if you have always paid rent on time in the past. Make sure to get your landlord’s permission in writing if they do agree to give you an extension. You can also try requesting a short-term loan from a friend, family member, or one of BC’s Rent Banks. If that is not possible, you may have to prioritize your rent over other expenses.		If you know that you will be unable to pay your full rent on time, communicate with your landlord as soon as possible. Your landlord may allow you to pay your rent late – especially if you have always paid rent on time in the past. Make sure to get your landlord’s permission in writing if they do agree to give you an extension. You can also try requesting a short-term loan from a friend, family member, or one of [https://bcrentbank.ca/apply/ BC’s Rent Banks]. If that is not possible, you may have to prioritize your rent over other expenses.

	'''Crisis supplement:''' If you receive income assistance and face an unexpected emergency, you might qualify for a crisis supplement through the provincial government.		'''Crisis supplement:''' If you receive income assistance and face an unexpected emergency, you might qualify for a crisis supplement through the provincial government.

	==Rent increases==		==Rent increases==

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Notice of rent increase */

2022-01-04T23:23:56Z

Notice of rent increase

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:23, 4 January 2022
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	===Notice of rent increase===		===Notice of rent increase===

	''IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to COVID-19, the rent increase freeze has been extended to December 31, 2021. If your landlord has given you a rent increase notice with an effective date after March 30, 2020 and before January 1, 2022, the notice is considered canceled.''

	At the start of your tenancy, rent is set at whatever amount you and your landlord agree to as part of your agreement. From that point on, according to [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_477_2003#section22 section 22] of the ''Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR)'', your landlord can only raise your rent once every 12 months by a percentage equal to inflation. The allowable rent increase percentage changes each year, so check the Residential Tenancy Branch [https://gov.bc.ca/landlordtenant website] or TRAC [http://tenants.bc.ca/ website] to find out how much landlords can raise rent this year.		At the start of your tenancy, rent is set at whatever amount you and your landlord agree to as part of your agreement. From that point on, according to [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_477_2003#section22 section 22] of the ''Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR)'', your landlord can only raise your rent once every 12 months by a percentage equal to inflation. The allowable rent increase percentage changes each year, so check the Residential Tenancy Branch [https://gov.bc.ca/landlordtenant website] or TRAC [http://tenants.bc.ca/ website] to find out how much landlords can raise rent this year.

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Notice of rent increase */

2021-06-02T21:19:21Z

Notice of rent increase

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:19, 2 June 2021
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	===Notice of rent increase===		===Notice of rent increase===

			''IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to COVID-19, the rent increase freeze has been extended to December 31, 2021. If your landlord has given you a rent increase notice with an effective date after March 30, 2020 and before January 1, 2022, the notice is considered canceled.''

	At the start of your tenancy, rent is set at whatever amount you and your landlord agree to as part of your agreement. From that point on, according to [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_477_2003#section22 section 22] of the ''Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR)'', your landlord can only raise your rent once every 12 months by a percentage equal to inflation. The allowable rent increase percentage changes each year, so check the Residential Tenancy Branch [https://gov.bc.ca/landlordtenant website] or TRAC [http://tenants.bc.ca/ website] to find out how much landlords can raise rent this year.		At the start of your tenancy, rent is set at whatever amount you and your landlord agree to as part of your agreement. From that point on, according to [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_477_2003#section22 section 22] of the ''Residential Tenancy Regulation (RTR)'', your landlord can only raise your rent once every 12 months by a percentage equal to inflation. The allowable rent increase percentage changes each year, so check the Residential Tenancy Branch [https://gov.bc.ca/landlordtenant website] or TRAC [http://tenants.bc.ca/ website] to find out how much landlords can raise rent this year.

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

2019-01-10T20:05:14Z

moved {{REVIEWED}} to top of page

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:05, 10 January 2019
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	{{Tenant Survival Guide TOC}}		{{Tenant Survival Guide TOC}}
			{{REVIEWED \| reviewer = [[Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre]], 2018}}
	'''DO:''' pay your full rent on time. Failing to do so could result in a 10 Day Eviction Notice for Non-Payment of Rent.		'''DO:''' pay your full rent on time. Failing to do so could result in a 10 Day Eviction Notice for Non-Payment of Rent.

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

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

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Wrong notice period */

2018-12-20T18:54:48Z

Wrong notice period

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:54, 20 December 2018
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	===Wrong notice period===		===Wrong notice period===

	If your landlord uses the proper [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/housing-and-tenancy/residential-tenancies/forms/rtb7.pdf “Notice of Rent Increase” form] but gives you less than three full months’ notice, [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section42 section 42(4)] of the ''RTA'' says that you can continue to pay your current rent until the correct amount of time has passed. For example, if you normally pay rent on the first of the month and your landlord gives you a Notice of Rent Increase on March 1st (or anytime later that month), you will not have to start paying the increase until July 1st. Although this may seem like four months, the ''RTA'' counts it as three. By serving the notice on March 1st, your landlord has excluded March from the three-month notice period. To avoid any misunderstandings with your landlord, it can be a good idea to write them and explain the law to ensure that they do not try to end your tenancy for unpaid rent.		If your landlord uses the proper [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/housing-and-tenancy/residential-tenancies/forms/rtb7.pdf “Notice of Rent Increase”] form but gives you less than three full months’ notice, [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section42 section 42(4)] of the ''RTA'' says that you can continue to pay your current rent until the correct amount of time has passed. For example, if you normally pay rent on the first of the month and your landlord gives you a Notice of Rent Increase on March 1st (or anytime later that month), you will not have to start paying the increase until July 1st. Although this may seem like four months, the ''RTA'' counts it as three. By serving the notice on March 1st, your landlord has excluded March from the three-month notice period. To avoid any misunderstandings with your landlord, it can be a good idea to write them and explain the law to ensure that they do not try to end your tenancy for unpaid rent.

	===Overpaying a rent increase===		===Overpaying a rent increase===

Andrew Sakamoto at 18:36, 20 December 2018

2018-12-20T18:36:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:36, 20 December 2018
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	===When rent is due===		===When rent is due===

	[[File:~~Services while renting~~.png \| right \| frame \| link= ]]		[[File:Rent increase notice.png \| right \| frame \| link= ]]

	Your full rent must be paid on or before the date it is due – usually the 1st of the month. If you are late by one day, or short by a few dollars, your landlord can give you a 10 Day Eviction Notice for Non-Payment of Rent in accordance with [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section46 section 46] of the ''Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)''. Once you have received this type of notice, you only have five days to pay the missing rent in order to cancel the eviction.		Your full rent must be paid on or before the date it is due – usually the 1st of the month. If you are late by one day, or short by a few dollars, your landlord can give you a 10 Day Eviction Notice for Non-Payment of Rent in accordance with [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section46 section 46] of the ''Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)''. Once you have received this type of notice, you only have five days to pay the missing rent in order to cancel the eviction.

Andrew Sakamoto at 18:21, 20 December 2018

2018-12-20T18:21:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:21, 20 December 2018
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	'''DO:''' pay your full rent on time. Failing to do so could result in a 10 Day Eviction Notice for Non-Payment of Rent.		'''DO:''' pay your full rent on time. Failing to do so could result in a 10 Day Eviction Notice for Non-Payment of Rent.

	'''DO NOT:''' stop paying rent unless the ''Residential Tenancy Act'' allows you to do so. If your landlord is breaking the law, you will most likely have to apply for dispute resolution through the Residential Tenancy Branch.		'''DO NOT:''' stop paying rent unless the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01 Residential Tenancy Act]'' allows you to do so. If your landlord is breaking the law, you will most likely have to apply for dispute resolution through the Residential Tenancy Branch.

Andrew Sakamoto: /* Legislation and links */

2018-12-20T18:13:32Z

Legislation and links

@@ Line 75: / Line 75: @@
 Some subsidized rental units where rent is related to income may be exempt from the rent increase rules in the ''RTA''. If you live in a subsidized rental unit, ask your housing provider about the rent increase rules that apply to you. See [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_477_2003#section2 section 2] of the ''RTR'' for more information.
-*''[[Residential Tenancy Act]]''
+{{REVIEWED | reviewer = [[Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre]], 2018}}
 {{Tenant Survival Guide Navbox}}