Repair and Service of Tenant’s Residence (19:VII) - Revision history

Nate Russell: 2026 update

2026-10-09T18:52:37Z

2026 update

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:52, 9 October 2026
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	{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= ~~25 June 2025~~}}		{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= 22 July 2026}}
	{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = landlord}}		{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = landlord}}

LSLAP at 19:37, 13 October 2025

2025-10-13T19:37:49Z

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	{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= ~~12 August~~ 2025}}		{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= 25 June 2025}}
	{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = landlord}}		{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = landlord}}

LSLAP: /* A. Duty to Provide and Maintain Rental Unit in Repair */

2025-09-22T10:48:45Z

A. Duty to Provide and Maintain Rental Unit in Repair

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	*anything else included in a tenant’s rent if so identified in the tenancy agreement.		*anything else included in a tenant’s rent if so identified in the tenancy agreement.

	If a landlord is required to make a repair to comply with the above obligations, the tenant should notify the landlord of the need for repair, preferably in writing. If the landlord refuses to make the repair, the tenant may seek a repair order by making a dispute resolution application at the RTB. If the tenant fails to notify the landlord and substantial damage results from the lack of repair, the tenant may have to pay for the damage; for more information, see RTB PG 5~~: Duty to Minimize Loss~~.		If a landlord is required to make a repair to comply with the above obligations, the tenant should notify the landlord of the need for repair, preferably in writing. If the landlord refuses to make the repair, the tenant may seek a repair order by making a dispute resolution application at the RTB. If the tenant fails to notify the landlord and substantial damage results from the lack of repair, the tenant may have to pay for the damage; for more information, see RTB PG 5.

	When a tenant goes to the RTB to request a repair order, they may also request a rent reduction until the repair is complete; this is based on the reduction in the value of a tenancy agreement as a result (''RTA'', s 65(1)(f)). A tenant can only make deductions from their rent if they are expressly authorized to do so under a provision of the ''RTA'' (''RTA'', s 26(1)).		When a tenant goes to the RTB to request a repair order, they may also request a rent reduction until the repair is complete; this is based on the reduction in the value of a tenancy agreement as a result (''RTA'', s 65(1)(f)). A tenant can only make deductions from their rent if they are expressly authorized to do so under a provision of the ''RTA'' (''RTA'', s 26(1)).

Nate Russell: review confirmed 2025

2025-08-28T21:51:41Z

review confirmed 2025

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:51, 28 August 2025
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	{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= August ~~15, 2024~~}}		{{REVIEWED LSLAP \| date= 12 August 2025}}
	{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = landlord}}		{{LSLAP Manual TOC\|expanded = landlord}}

LSLAP: /* D. Municipal Bylaws */

2025-08-12T16:22:55Z

D. Municipal Bylaws

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	== D. Municipal Bylaws ==		== D. Municipal Bylaws ==

	Another way to seek repairs ~~can be~~ through their municipality’s Standards of Maintenance bylaws. However, this is only available in some municipalities, such as Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, and New Westminster.		Another way tenants can seek repairs is through their municipality’s Standards of Maintenance bylaws. However, this is only available in some municipalities, such as Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, and New Westminster.

	Tenants should check with the municipality to see if there is a Standards of Maintenance bylaw in place. A tenant can call a local municipality and ask for a free inspection if the repair problem relates to structural defects (requiring a building inspector) or fire problem (such as fire inspection for fire exits, smoke alarms). The inspection may result in a formal report and may require the landlord to conduct repairs. The inspection report can also be important evidence to present at an RTB dispute resolution when seeking a Repair Order or an Order for a reduction in rent.		Tenants should check with the municipality to see if there is a Standards of Maintenance bylaw in place. A tenant can call a local municipality and ask for a free inspection if the repair problem relates to structural defects (requiring a building inspector) or fire problem (such as fire inspection for fire exits, smoke alarms). The inspection may result in a formal report and may require the landlord to conduct repairs. The inspection report can also be important evidence to present at an RTB dispute resolution when seeking a Repair Order or an Order for a reduction in rent.

LSLAP at 08:08, 30 August 2024

2024-08-30T08:08:07Z

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	== C. Emergency Repairs ==		== C. Emergency Repairs ==

	A tenant is allowed to make ~~ce''RTA''in~~ emergency repairs by themselves without the need for going to the RTB for dispute resolution; the landlord must then reimburse the tenant, or the tenant may deduct their cost from the rent.		A tenant is allowed to make certain emergency repairs by themselves without the need for going to the RTB for dispute resolution; the landlord must then reimburse the tenant, or the tenant may deduct their cost from the rent.

	Tenants must exercise high caution when proceeding with emergency repairs. Improperly deducting from their rent without exact compliance with the provisions of section 33 of the ''RTA'' can result in the tenant being evicted for non-payment of rent.		Tenants must exercise high caution when proceeding with emergency repairs. Improperly deducting from their rent without exact compliance with the provisions of section 33 of the ''RTA'' can result in the tenant being evicted for non-payment of rent.
	1. Definition of Emergency Repair
			=== 1. Definition of Emergency Repair ===

	Emergency repairs must be urgent (''RTA'', s 33(1)(a)). They must be necessary for the health or safety of someone, or for the preservation or use of the residential property (''RTA'', s 33(1)(b)).		Emergency repairs must be urgent (''RTA'', s 33(1)(a)). They must be necessary for the health or safety of someone, or for the preservation or use of the residential property (''RTA'', s 33(1)(b)).

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	*damaged or defective locks that give access to a rental unit; or		*damaged or defective locks that give access to a rental unit; or
	*the electrical systems.		*the electrical systems.
	2. Procedure for Conducting an Emergency Repair
			=== 2. Procedure for Conducting an Emergency Repair ===

	A tenant may conduct emergency repairs without going to dispute resolution if all of the following conditions are true:		A tenant may conduct emergency repairs without going to dispute resolution if all of the following conditions are true:
	*emergency repairs are in fact needed (''RTA'', s 33(3)(a));		*emergency repairs are in fact needed (''RTA'', s 33(3)(a));
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	If the landlord does not make required reimbursements to the tenant, the tenant may deduct the amount from their rent or otherwise recover the amount (''RTA'', s 33(7)). A tenant must take care that the amounts they deduct from rent truly qualify as amounts for emergency repairs, or else they risk being evicted for non-payment of rent.		If the landlord does not make required reimbursements to the tenant, the tenant may deduct the amount from their rent or otherwise recover the amount (''RTA'', s 33(7)). A tenant must take care that the amounts they deduct from rent truly qualify as amounts for emergency repairs, or else they risk being evicted for non-payment of rent.
	3. Tenants Should Exercise Extreme Caution
	Tenants should exercise high caution when proceeding with emergency repairs. If they do not exactly comply with the requirements for ~~unde''RTA''king~~ emergency repairs, their rent deduction could be legally construed as a failure to pay rent that justifies the landlord serving them with a 10-day notice to end tenancy for non-payment of rent, or otherwise claim against the tenant. All steps taken should be documented fully.		=== 3. Tenants Should Exercise Extreme Caution ===

			Tenants should exercise high caution when proceeding with emergency repairs. If they do not exactly comply with the requirements for undertaking emergency repairs, their rent deduction could be legally construed as a failure to pay rent that justifies the landlord serving them with a 10-day notice to end tenancy for non-payment of rent, or otherwise claim against the tenant. All steps taken should be documented fully.

	There is sometimes a discrepancy between what a tenant, landlord, and RTB might consider “emergency” repairs. Before a tenant conducts any repairs, they should call the Residential Tenancy Branch, speak to an Information Officer, and make note of the Officer’s name and what the Officer tells them.		There is sometimes a discrepancy between what a tenant, landlord, and RTB might consider “emergency” repairs. Before a tenant conducts any repairs, they should call the Residential Tenancy Branch, speak to an Information Officer, and make note of the Officer’s name and what the Officer tells them.

	Emergency repairs usually constitute a large repair bill and should only be ~~unde''RTA''ken~~ by the tenant in the clearest of circumstances. When in doubt, a tenant should first apply to an Arbitrator for a Repair Order, refer to a Property Use Inspector, or investigate local Standards of Maintenance bylaws.		Emergency repairs usually constitute a large repair bill and should only be undertaken by the tenant in the clearest of circumstances. When in doubt, a tenant should first apply to an Arbitrator for a Repair Order, refer to a Property Use Inspector, or investigate local Standards of Maintenance bylaws.
	D. Municipal Bylaws
			== D. Municipal Bylaws ==

	Another way to seek repairs can be through their municipality’s Standards of Maintenance bylaws. However, this is only available in some municipalities, such as Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, and New Westminster.		Another way to seek repairs can be through their municipality’s Standards of Maintenance bylaws. However, this is only available in some municipalities, such as Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, and New Westminster.

	Tenants should check with the municipality to see if there is a Standards of Maintenance bylaw in place. A tenant can call a local municipality and ask for a free inspection if the repair problem relates to structural defects (requiring a building inspector) or fire problem (such as fire inspection for fire exits, smoke alarms). The inspection may result in a formal report and may require the landlord to conduct repairs. The inspection report can also be ~~impo''RTA''nt~~ evidence to present at an RTB dispute resolution when seeking a Repair Order or an Order for a reduction in rent.		Tenants should check with the municipality to see if there is a Standards of Maintenance bylaw in place. A tenant can call a local municipality and ask for a free inspection if the repair problem relates to structural defects (requiring a building inspector) or fire problem (such as fire inspection for fire exits, smoke alarms). The inspection may result in a formal report and may require the landlord to conduct repairs. The inspection report can also be important evidence to present at an RTB dispute resolution when seeking a Repair Order or an Order for a reduction in rent.

			There is a risk attached to calling a City Inspector. The inspection could result in the municipality ordering the suite vacated, resulting in eviction for the tenants. For example, the City Inspector may do this if they discover that the rental unit is an illegal suite under their municipality’s bylaws, which is an outcome that the RTB alone cannot undertake.

			== E. Terminating or Restricting Services or Facilities ==

	There is a risk attached to calling a City Inspector. The inspection could result in the municipality ordering the suite vacated, resulting in eviction for the tenants. For example, the City Inspector may do this if they discover that the rental unit is an illegal suite under their municipality’s bylaws, which is an outcome that the RTB alone cannot unde''RTA''ke.
	~~E. Terminating or Restricting Services or Facilities~~
	A service or facility, as defined in s 1 of the ''RTA'', applies to any of the following that are provided or agreed to be provided to the tenant by the landlord:		A service or facility, as defined in s 1 of the ''RTA'', applies to any of the following that are provided or agreed to be provided to the tenant by the landlord:
	*appliances and furnishings;		*appliances and furnishings;

LSLAP at 08:04, 30 August 2024

2024-08-30T08:04:35Z

Show changes

Nate Russell: Nate Russell moved page Repair and Service of Tenant’s Residence (19:V) to Repair and Service of Tenant’s Residence (19:VII)

2024-08-28T00:02:35Z

Nate Russell moved page Repair and Service of Tenant’s Residence (19:V) to Repair and Service of Tenant’s Residence (19:VII)

← Older revision	Revision as of 00:02, 28 August 2024
(No difference)

Clicklaw Editor: /* D. Terminating or Restricting Services or Facilities */

2023-08-08T20:14:22Z

D. Terminating or Restricting Services or Facilities

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	{{LSLAP Manual Navbox\|type=chapters15-22}}		{{LSLAP Manual Navbox\|type=chapters15-23}}

LSLAP: /* D. Terminating or Restricting Services or Facilities */

2023-08-03T00:08:16Z

D. Terminating or Restricting Services or Facilities

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:08, 3 August 2023
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	A service or facility, as defined in s 1 of the ''RTA'', applies to any of the following that are provided or agreed to be provided to the tenant by the landlord:		A service or facility, as defined in s 1 of the ''RTA'', applies to any of the following that are provided or agreed to be provided to the tenant by the landlord:
	(a) Appliances and furnishings;		:(a) Appliances and furnishings;
	(b) Utilities and related services;		:(b) Utilities and related services;
	(c) Cleaning and maintenance services;		:(c) Cleaning and maintenance services;
	(d) Parking spaces and related facilities;		:(d) Parking spaces and related facilities;
	(e) Cablevision facilities;		:(e) Cablevision facilities;
	(f) Laundry facilities;		:(f) Laundry facilities;
	(g) Storage facilities;		:(g) Storage facilities;
	(h) Elevators;		:(h) Elevators;
	(i) Common recreational facilities;		:(i) Common recreational facilities;
	(j) Intercom systems;		:(j) Intercom systems;
	(k) Garbage facilities and related services;		:(k) Garbage facilities and related services;
	(l) Heating facilities or services		:(l) Heating facilities or services
	(m) Housekeeping services		:(m) Housekeeping services

	Sections 27(1)(a) and (b) of the ''RTA'' provides that a landlord must not terminate or restrict a service or facility if it is essential to the tenant’s use of the rental unit as living accommodation, or providing the service or facility is a material term of the tenancy agreement.		Sections 27(1)(a) and (b) of the ''RTA'' provides that a landlord must not terminate or restrict a service or facility if it is essential to the tenant’s use of the rental unit as living accommodation, or providing the service or facility is a material term of the tenancy agreement.