Difference between revisions of "Tenancy Agreements (19:II)"

:'''a) Covenants and Conditions'''

:A covenant in a tenancy agreement consists of a promise by a person that a certain thing must or must not be done (the RTA eliminates the word “covenant” and uses the more modern word “term”). A “Material Term”, as used in the RTA, is a term going to the root of the relationship and the tenancy agreement. Landlords and tenants may agree to any term they wish, as long as it is not unconscionable or contrary to the RTA. Terms contrary to the RTA may not be identified in some cases until dispute resolution, and a tenant is free to argue that a term violates the RTA and should, therefore, be void. The Arbitrator will take this into consideration when determining reasonableness. For more information, see '''RTB Policy Guidelines 8: Unconscionable and Material Terms'''.

:'''b) Express, Implied and Statutory Terms'''

:Valid express terms or conditions override any implied terms or “usual terms” that might otherwise apply at common law. For residential tenancies, the RTA deems some express terms to be unenforceable The RTA also establishes statutory terms, deemed to be terms in every agreement, that override any express or implied term to the contrary. For tenancies not governed by the RTA, a court will find implied obligations and insert the usual terms if the parties have failed to expressly agree to certain matters.

:'''c) Express Terms'''

:Parties may write their own tenancy agreement with their own terms or may use a standard form tenancy agreement to which they can add their own extra terms. Parties may also adopt a lease in conformity with the Land Transfer Form Act, RSBC 1996, c 252, p 2.

:The ''RTA'' requires that all tenancy agreements include standard terms outlining key statutory rights and responsibilities of the tenant and landlord (see ''RTA'' s 12, and the Schedule to the Regulation). The standard terms cover repairs, payment of rent, rent increases, security deposits, assignment or sub-let, occupants and invited guests, entry of the residential premises by the landlord, locks, ending the tenancy, and the application of the ''RTA''. To assist landlords and tenants, the Ministry created a standard Residential Tenancy Agreement, available online (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/forms). This Agreement incorporates suggestions put forward by landlord and tenant stakeholders and includes the prescribed terms found in the Schedule of the Regulation.

:For residential tenancies, the following are examples of express terms that are '''void and unenforceable''':

:Some included requirements of the ''RTA'' state that the tenant:

:Similarly, terms in a short form lease that are inconsistent with the ''RTA'' are unenforceable. The parties may, however, enter into a separate collateral agreement, under which a clause requiring the tenant to perform repairs is binding on the tenant, so long as there is some value given in return (i.e. lower rates of rent).

:'''d) Reasonable Terms'''

:See '''Policy Guideline 8: Unconscionable and Material Terms'''.