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Difference between revisions of "Entering a Tenancy"
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==Searching for rental housing== | ==Searching for rental housing== | ||
Search popular rental websites such as Craigslist, Kijiji, and Padmapper, but also expand your search beyond the internet. Not all landlords know how to advertise their rental units online, so look out for bulletin board postings at coffee shops, “vacancy” signs outside buildings, and listings in your local newspaper. It can also be wise to get the word out within your network of family, friends, coworkers, teams, and clubs. Even strangers or acquaintances may have a lead on your future home, so consider mentioning your housing search when buying groceries, getting a haircut, or settling your bill at a restaurant. | Search popular rental websites such as [https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/ Craigslist], [https://www.kijiji.ca/ Kijiji], and [https://www.padmapper.com/ Padmapper], but also expand your search beyond the internet. Not all landlords know how to advertise their rental units online, so look out for bulletin board postings at coffee shops, “vacancy” signs outside buildings, and listings in your local newspaper. It can also be wise to get the word out within your network of family, friends, coworkers, teams, and clubs. Even strangers or acquaintances may have a lead on your future home, so consider mentioning your housing search when buying groceries, getting a haircut, or settling your bill at a restaurant. | ||
===Application fees=== | ===Application fees=== | ||
In BC’s competitive rental housing market, some landlords try asking for illegal application fees. According to section 15 of the Residential Tenancy Act, landlords cannot charge a fee for: | In BC’s competitive rental housing market, some landlords try asking for illegal application fees. According to [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section15 section 15] of the ''[[Residential Tenancy Act]]'', landlords cannot charge a fee for: | ||
* accepting an application; | * accepting an application; | ||
* processing an application; | * processing an application; | ||
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* credit check; | * credit check; | ||
* pet resume; | * pet resume; | ||
* Renting It Right certificate; | * [https://www.rentingitright.ca/ Renting It Right] certificate; | ||
* tape measure and furniture dimensions; and | * tape measure and furniture dimensions; and | ||
* friend or family member. | * friend or family member. | ||
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==Personal information== | ==Personal information== | ||
Landlords in BC must follow the Personal Information and Protection Act, | Landlords in BC must follow the ''[http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/03063_01 Personal Information and Protection Act]'', which outlines the rules for collecting, using, storing, disclosing, and protecting a tenant’s personal information. The [https://oipc.bc.ca Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC] (OIPC) has developed a helpful [https://www.oipc.bc.ca/guidance-documents/1456 guidance document] that explains these rules in plain language. This ''Tenant Survival Guide'' covers only the basics of personal information, so contact the OIPC or view their guidance document at for more information. | ||
===Information landlords can ''always'' ask=== | ===Information landlords can ''always'' ask=== | ||
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Whether or not a landlord can ask for this information will depend on the situation. For example, a landlord may be allowed to ask you for pay stubs, bank statements, income tax assessments or consent for a credit check, but only if you are unable to provide satisfactory references or employment and income verification. | Whether or not a landlord can ask for this information will depend on the situation. For example, a landlord may be allowed to ask you for pay stubs, bank statements, income tax assessments or consent for a credit check, but only if you are unable to provide satisfactory references or employment and income verification. | ||
'''Social Insurance Number (SIN):''' If a landlord has grounds to ask for a credit check, they will probably ask for your birth date and SIN. To avoid having to provide your SIN, consider obtaining a free credit check on yourself and distributing copies to potential landlords. Contact | '''Social Insurance Number (SIN):''' If a landlord has grounds to ask for a credit check, they will probably ask for your birth date and SIN. To avoid having to provide your SIN, consider obtaining a free credit check on yourself and distributing copies to potential landlords. Contact [https://consumer.equifax.ca Equifax] or [https://transunion.ca TransUnion] for more information. | ||
===Information landlords can (almost) ''never'' ask=== | ===Information landlords can (almost) ''never'' ask=== | ||
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==Discrimination== | ==Discrimination== | ||
According to section 10 of the BC Human Rights Code, a landlord may not refuse to rent to you because of your: | According to [http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/00_96210_01#section10 section 10] of the ''BC Human Rights Code'', a landlord may not refuse to rent to you because of your: | ||
* race; | * race; | ||
* colour; | * colour; | ||
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* lawful source of income. | * lawful source of income. | ||
If you think you may have been discriminated against, contact the | If you think you may have been discriminated against, contact the [https://bchrc.netBC Human Rights Clinic] at 1-855-685-6222. | ||
===A closer look=== | ===A closer look=== | ||
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'''Lawful source of income:''' Landlords are not allowed to discriminate based on your source of income, as long as it is legal. For example, you cannot be refused a tenancy because you receive income from welfare, disability benefits, or student loans. | '''Lawful source of income:''' Landlords are not allowed to discriminate based on your source of income, as long as it is legal. For example, you cannot be refused a tenancy because you receive income from welfare, disability benefits, or student loans. | ||
'''Age:''' Section 3 of the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) allows landlords to rent to minors (under age 19). If you are a minor who has entered into a tenancy agreement with a landlord, you have all the same rights and responsibilities as any other tenant protected by the RTA. However, if you are under age 19, landlords are allowed to lawfully discriminate and not rent to you because of your age. | '''Age:''' [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section3 Section 3] of the ''Residential Tenancy Act (RTA)'' allows landlords to rent to minors (under age 19). If you are a minor who has entered into a tenancy agreement with a landlord, you have all the same rights and responsibilities as any other tenant protected by the ''RTA''. However, if you are under age 19, landlords are allowed to lawfully discriminate and not rent to you because of your age. | ||
===Exceptions=== | ===Exceptions=== | ||