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Difference between revisions of "Preparing to Rent"
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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'', SBC 2002, c 78 (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 ''Residential Tenancy Act'', SBC 2002, c 78 (''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 | ||
agreement says. According to section 5 of the RTA, any term of an agreement that “contracts out” of the RTA is considered unenforceable. If your landlord tries to unfairly reduce your | agreement says. According to section 5 of the ''RTA'', any term of an agreement that “contracts out” of the ''RTA'' is considered unenforceable. If your landlord tries to unfairly reduce your | ||
rights in this way, contact the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) or the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) for more information. | rights in this way, contact the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) or the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) for more information. | ||
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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; | ||
* online tools, such as a Solution Explorer and Calculators; | * 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 application process for dispute resolution; | * [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=49B9F45B33D040A3BCD1498D604B48AB online application] process for dispute resolution; | ||
* approved residential tenancy forms; | * approved residential tenancy [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=8CF94F8057DF4E379952D016750480CA forms]; | ||
* Rules of Procedure for Dispute Resolution; and | * [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/housing-and-tenancy/residential-tenancies/rop.pdf Rules of Procedure] for Dispute Resolution; and | ||
* Policy Guidelines on key topics. | * [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=C9E865601539459690DEF276FFEF09CA Policy Guidelines] on key topics. | ||
==Are you covered by the law?== | ==Are you covered by the law?== | ||