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

In B.C., there is '''no''' law that allows tenants to have a pet. RTA, s 18 allows a tenancy agreement to include terms that prohibit pets, or restrict the size, kind or number of pets a tenant may keep on the residential property. In order to keep a pet one needs to have a term in one’s tenancy agreement that allows pets. If a tenancy agreement doesn’t allow pets and a tenant gets one anyway, the landlord can tell the tenant to remove it. If the tenant refuses, the landlord may be able to give an effective eviction notice. RTA, s 18 is subject to the rights and restrictions under the ''Guide Animal Act'' RSBC 1996, c 177, s 4, which states that landlords must not deny tenancy or impose discriminatory terms on a person with a disability who intends to keep a guide animal in the rental unit.

The landlord and tenant together must inspect the condition of the rental unit on or before the day the tenant starts keeping a pet or on another mutually agreed day where the landlord permits the tenant to keep a pet after the start of a tenancy (RTA, s 23(2)). Failure of the tenant or landlord to participate in the inspection may extinguish the right of the failing party to the rights relating to the pet deposit (s 24(1)). The landlord can request a pet damage deposit not greater than ½ of a month’s rent, regardless of the number of pets.