Legal Resources

While the Residential Tenancy Act is the main piece of legislation that governs tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities, section 10 of the BC Human Rights Code gives tenants further protections when it comes to discrimination in tenancies. This resource explains the basics of the Human Rights Code as it applies to tenancies.

Tips on finding a place to rent, including potential additional costs, what questions to ask when you view a unit, the signs of a rental scam, what to do if you have a poor credit history, and information on tenant insurance. Includes templates for a cover letter, references list, and pet resumé.

An eviction occurs when a landlord legally forces a tenant to move out of a rental unit. This resource looks at the different kinds of evictions, including the different lengths of notice periods, and the deadlines to dispute eviction notices.

A security deposit is money that your landlord collects at the start of the tenancy and holds on to until you move out. Find out more details about it, including pet damage deposits, overpaying deposits, applying deposits toward rent, and getting your deposits returned.

The Residential Tenancy Branch handles most rental disputes in BC, but there are some exceptions where you’d have to go to court or a tribunal. This resource discusses other options including negotiating a settlement or using an arbitrator.

Legal information for all stages of your tenancy — from starting a tenancy to ending one. This resource includes how to resolve disputes.

This three-and-a-half-minute video explains how the BC Human Rights Code protects you from discrimination in your tenancy.

Describes the laws about homes on reserve. This resource has information on who can stay in the family home on reserve after a separation or a partner dies, who these laws apply to, and where to get help with this issue.

This plain-language guide offers tenants a basic understanding of residential tenancy law in BC. It’s designed to educate readers on their rights and responsibilities, and help prevent or resolve any problems they may encounter during their tenancy.

This page shows the laws and rules you need to follow during a tenancy. It also provides links to the rules and expectations for a tenancy hearing, and to help with residential tenancy issues. The sub-page 'Types of rental housing situations' describes the housing situations covered by the tenancy laws, and what to do if your tenancy is not covered...