Tenant Survival Guide

The Tenant Survival Guide is intended to give tenants a basic understanding of residential tenancy law in British Columbia and what it means to them. The Guide is produced by the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre, an educational organization promoting tenants' rights and affordable housing in British Columbia.

Cover of Tenant Survival Guide

Contents

• Before Renting
  • The law in BC · Are you covered by the law? · What a landlord can ask · Application fees · Information for visiting students
• Making Your Agreement
  • Protect yourself · Terms in the agreement · Pets · Leases · Deposits and paying rent · Condition when you move in
• Condition Inspection Reports
  • Moving in and moving out · Condition reports · Penalty for not participating · Setting a time · Required information
• Security Deposits and Additional Fees
  • Security deposit and pet damage deposit · Extra deposits and non-refundable fees · Getting your deposit back
• Repairs and Services When Renting
  • Landlord and tenant responsibilities · Getting repairs done and services back · Emergency repairs
• Rent Increases
  • Regulations · Notice of rent increase · Above guideline increases · Extra occupants
• Privacy & Quiet Enjoyment When Renting
  • Privacy in your home · Noise and disturbances · Locks and access · Guests
• Evictions
  • Notice · Illegal activity · Eviction for not paying rent · Eviction for cause · Eviction for "landlord use" of property · Early eviction · Applying for dispute resolution · Order to move out
• Moving Out When Renting
  • Giving notice · Breaking a lease · Cleaning and move-out inspection
• Dispute Resolution for Tenants
  • What is dispute resolutions? · Where do I apply? · Applying for dispute resolution as a group · Dispute Resolution for Tenants#How to prepare for a hearing · Dispute Resolution for Tenants#At the hearing · Conference call hearings · Collecting money from the landlord · Review of a dispute resolution decision
• Taking Action as a Tenant
  • Here's what you can do when: · Tenant Groups · Media
• Other Resources for Tenants
  • Housing alternatives · Government · Advocacy and referral services · Legal help · Online resources

About this Guide

The Tenant Survival Guide is produced by TRAC Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre and is intended to give tenants a basic understanding of residential tenancy law in British Columbia and what it means to them. TRAC Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre is an educational organization promoting tenants’ rights and affordable housing in British Columbia.

About TRAC, the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre

The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre is an educational organization promoting tenants' rights and affordable housing in British Columbia.

Tenant Infoline

1-604-255-0546

Toll-free: 1-800-665-1185

Website: tenants.bc.ca

Tenant Survival Guide © TRAC Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence.