The BC Tenants Rights & Rentals Act
British Columbia is widely renowned as one of the world's most beautiful areas to live in, and thanks to the BC Tenants Rights & Rentals Act, it's also easier to lease property for a tenancy period. This public legislation relates to all facets of a leasing agreement entered into by both a renting party and the property's landlord. Public information from the government of British Columbia states the law in easy-to-understand terms, and information is readily available through publicly-funded tenancy advisory groups.
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Significance
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The BC Tenants Rights & Rentals Act, official known as the Residential Tenancy Act, was enacted by the provincial government of British Columbia, Canada, in 2002. The act was designed to implement safeguards for both tenants and landlords that have entered into contractual lease agreements for residential properties in British Columbia. The Residential Tenancy Act provides guidelines for both tenant and landlord responsibilities throughout the duration of a lease. British Columbia also funds the BC Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre, or TRAC, which is a non-profit organization functioning as a community resource for tenancy law education.
Features
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The BC Tenants Rights & Rentals Act makes clear each of the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords at the beginning of tenancy, during the period of tenancy and at the termination of the tenancy. At the outset of a tenant's stay, a landlord must present a tenancy agreement for the tenant to sign, make any requested safety changes and perform a condition inspection with the tenant. At the end of a tenancy, the landlord must return all security deposits within 15 days of the move-out date and perform another condition inspection with the tenant.
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Function
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The clear guidelines established by the Residential Tenancy Act provide a simple checklist to reference if any legal disputes occur between the tenant and the landlord. The BC Tenants Rights & Rentals Act provides rules governing most interactions between tenants and landlords, including rent due dates and regular maintenance. This legislation helps to keep smaller residential and lease disputes away from litigation and court proceedings, reducing the financial liabilities of both tenant and landlord.
Considerations
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Neither security deposits nor pet damage deposits can be larger than the amount of one-half one month's rent. Tenancy periods are predetermined between the tenant and landlord, and the rental period can be fixed in terms of weeks, months or years. Rent increases can be enacted by a landlord no more than once over a 12-month period. Tenants must be informed of rent increases at least three rental periods, usually three months, prior to the increase.
Exclusions
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A number of lease agreements are excluded from the scope of the BC Tenants Rights & Rentals Act. The legislation does not cover lease agreements between landlords and either non-profits or educational institutions for the residential housing of a group member. Most housing facilities that receive public funding for the accommodations of elderly, mentally handicapped or other residents are also excluded from the act.
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References
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