Tenants Rights in British Columbia
As a tenant in British Columbia you have rights and responsibilities relating to everything from signing a tenancy agreement and moving into a new home to the end of the tenancy.
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Entering into a Tenancy
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Upon entering into a tenancy you need to sign a tenancy agreement with the landlord. This is a contract between you and your landlord that states your rights and responsibilities as well as standard terms of the tenancy such as the cost of rent and the length of the lease.
Security and Pet Deposits
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Upon entering into the tenancy you may be required to give the landlord a security deposit, which the landlord is required to return to you at the end of the tenancy required there is no damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear. A security deposit cannot be more than half the first month's rent. If you have pets, you may also be required to give the landlord a pet deposit, which also cannot be more than half the first month's rent. Once your tenancy ends, the landlord must return the security and pet deposit within 15 days unless he has your written permission to keep part of the deposit due to damages.
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Rent Increases
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Landlords are only allowed to increase rent by a percentage equal to the inflation rate plus 2 percent annually. The allowable rent increase in British Columbia for 2010 is 3.2 percent. The landlord must give you three months written notice before increasing the rent.
Landlords Access
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As a tenant you are entitled to exclusive possession of the rental unit including reasonable privacy. The landlord cannot enter your home without permission unless under extreme circumstances such as an emergency or fire. If the property is for sale, the landlord and/or Realtor needs to give you 24 hours notice and get your permission before entering the unit.
Ending a Tenancy
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When ending your tenancy you must provide your landlord with a written, signed notice indicating when you plan to move out. You must give your landlord at least one month's notice. If you are in a fixed term tenancy then the landlord must agree in writing that you can move out early or you must continue to pay your rent until the end of your fixed term.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit signing a contract image by William Berry from Fotolia.com
