Last reviewed in February 2023 by the Clicklaw Editors

See the resources below for information on what a landlord can ask of you. For example, a landlord is allowed to ensure that you will be able to pay the rent. However, they are not allowed to discriminate based on your income source. For example, you may receive income from welfare, disability pensions, or student loans.

Some good starting points are:

• Starting a Tenancy, from the Government of BC, has a section on Protection of Personal Information. In that section, you will see a link to a PDF called Private Sector Landlords and Tenants that explains the type of information that landlords are allowed to collect.
• Renting in British Columbia, from People’s Law School is a webinar that answers common questions about renting in BC, including the kinds of questions that landlords can ask prospective tenants during a rental interview.
• Tenant Survival Guide, by TRAC, has a section on “Finding rental housing” that tells you what information a landlord can request.
• Human Rights, by TRAC, has more information on what landlords can ask of you.
• Private Sector Landlord and Tenants (Guidance Document), by the Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner for BC, explains the kinds of information a landlord can request from a tenant or a prospective tenant.

Need more help?

• Tenant Info Line, by TRAC, can help with questions on tenants' and landlords' rights and responsibilities.
• Find more help near you on Clicklaw HelpMap.

See our related common questions:

• See all common questions about housing, tenancy & neighbours

tags

tenancy, housing, landlord, landlord and tenant responsibilities, problems with a landlord, landlords, renting, discrimination in renting property, tenant's consent, collecting personal information, using personal information, renters