Living in Canada sounds easy but what is most complicated is finding a place to live in, a place that is convenient, comfortable, and secure too.
If settling in British Columbia is on your mind then you must read on to know about getting the right place to live here.
Document requirements for renting purposes in British Columbia
While you search for appropriate accommodation, dwelling, and apartment for yourself in Canada it is more important to understand that certain documents are essentially provided by the tenant along with the tenancy agreement.
Landlords might expect you to submit documents related to your personal information such as proof of income along with the application.
Prepare the following documents when you begin your rental application process:
- Income Proof– Your landlord is liable to request your submission of your recent salary slips as evidence of your income.
- Copy of Bank Statement– The copy of your bank statement might also be required in case of self-employment or search for a permanent job as evidence to show your financial potential to pay the rent.
- Reference to support your behavior and conduct– You owe references from known acquaintances such as managers or friends who can acknowledge your behavior and conduct to be appropriate as a tenant. You must make sure the references you give are from Canada only.
- Credit Report Supporting your Credit History– A Credit Report displays your Credit history at a glance. A three-digit number will be provided to you and this number will determine your financial capability which means the higher this number goes, the better you are about your finances. Any signs of debt and bankruptcy will be highlighted through this Credit Report and this will cost around $25 CAD.
British Columbia – Eviction Rules
According to the British Columbia Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), your landlord may evict you based on some acceptable and justified reason after completion of all the paperwork for the same. The following reasons are considered justified for your eviction as a tenant by the landlord:
- Not Paying the Rent– Failing to pay the full rent or not paying the rent at all can also lead your landlord to evict you. As per RBT-30, the landlord can send you a 10-day notice for the cancellation of your tenancy. Once you receive this notice form, you’ll be liable to pay the outstanding amount in the next five days or even to file RTA (Application for Resolution). In case a Tenant doesn’t react by acting upon the notice, the landlord has the authority to access the Landlord’s Direct Request for possessing the order.
- Eviction due to a Cause: The landlord can also evict the tenant if he happens to do any of the following activities:
- If the tenant purposely causes any disturbance to other occupants or even the landlord himself.
- If he is observed to perform any harmful or threatening actions upon other occupants and the landlord.
- If he frequently fails to pay the rent on time
- If he happens to cause any damage to the rental house.
- If he fails to repay for the loss and damage done by him.
- If he is found to be involved in any criminal activity.
- If the number of occupants staying in the house exceeds.
- For their Personal Use: If the landlord or any of his family members wish to come back and live in the rented accommodation then they have the authority to evict you by giving you a two-year notice period.
- Property Sale: If the landlord has sold the property (in which you are staying as a tenant) to someone else or in case any other family member wishes to re-occupy the rented property. The landlord can evict you in such a case by giving you a two months notice period.
- Renovation or Demolition of Property: If the landlord decides to renovate the property or demolish it, he has the right to legally evict you by providing a 4-month notice to you as per the RTA.
What responsibilities do you serve as a tenant in British Columbia?
As a tenant, you must be able to carry out the following responsibilities:
- As a tenant, visit and inspect the apartment or rented place along with your landlord before you move in or move out.
- You must make sure that you pay the full rent on time.
- Must provide the letter to the landlord regarding any sort of repair.
- The property must appear clean.
- Timely repair of damage caused by your family member or pet.
Rules and regulations regarding leases in British Columbia
It is important to note that all the terms and conditions in the lease must be perfectly aligned with those applicable under the RTA (Residency Tenancy Act). These will be related to the rent, its payment, additional bills such as heating bills, etc.
A landlord can’t enforce additional rules or conditions which are not included in British Columbia’s RTA.
There are specific clauses that are crucial and might be included in the lease of Section 17 under the RTA as addendums, they are as follows:
- The number of roommates or occupants can be scaled up and down as per the wish of the landlord unless they are discriminatory in any way.
- The landlord isn’t supposed to charge a fee for changing the lock before the tenant moves into the property and the landlord must also pay for the expense on his own.
- The landlord has the authority to decide the number and size of pets the tenant can keep in the rented property. A landlord may also ask for a deposit for the pet and this deposit must not be more than half of the entire month’s fee irrespective of the number of pets.
- The landlord can impose the rule of cleaning the property on the tenant before he moves out of the property. This could include bulb replacement, carpet cleaning, window cleaning, cleaning of other such appliances, etc.
- The landlord and tenant can decide on the need for liability insurance.
Clauses that are strictly not a part of a lease
There are specific clauses that are a strict no for a lease contract or agreement, they’re as follows:
- The landlord doesn’t have any authority to stop a tenant from subletting in case there are six months left of the agreement. Also, the tenant is supposed to have written permission from the landlord, agreeing to the subletting and there must be a mutual sublease agreement signed by both of them.
- The landlord can’t stop an individual from renting property who owns a service dog.
- No landlord has the authority to stop a tenant from having guests at home, and also he can’t charge a fee from the tenant if he invites any guests.
- The landlord can’t just increase the amount of any additional deposits he takes from the tenant. The deposits are restricted to one-half of the entire month’s fee.
Limitations on Rental Increase in British Columbia
A landlord is not supposed to increase the rent more than once in a year and that too as per the legal decided limit of increase. In 2021, the increased limit was 1.4 percent. The landlord is required to give a notice of three months before increasing the rental limit.
A tenant’s rights in British Columbia
Tenants also have their set of rights in British Columbia and it is not just the landlord exercising all his power over the tenants. The rights of a tenant in British Columbia (B.C) are given below:
- The landlord and the tenant both are essentially required to inspect before and after moving into the rental property. They must also sign an agreement on tenancy together. A Canadian Inspect Report is mandatory to compare the conditions of the prior and final inspection of the rental property.
- Tenants are not responsible for the wear and tear of the rental property which means a natural process of aging or any calamity or gradual deterioration of the property is not compensated by the tenant. Nobody can charge them a fee for this case.
- Your landlord doesn’t legally have a right to refrain you from inviting guests overnight. They are not even supposed to charge you a fee for inviting guests overnight in B.C.
- Legally it is not possible to break a lease contract before the time exceptions for the case of violence or another case where you require to get long-term care. You need to mutually come upon an agreement by conversing and explaining your circumstances to the landlord.
- The tenant can repair damaged things in the rental property on his own and later on request the landlord to pay for the same. As a tenant, you must keep the payment receipts. If the landlord doesn’t repay the amount, you must not do things in haste and must always follow a proper procedure for the same. Write a letter and explain things to the landlord.
