During a tenancy
Last updated on December 11, 2023Learn about tenants' rights and landlords' responsibilities once a tenancy is underway. Tenancies are considered to be ongoing once a tenant has paid the security deposit to their landlord.
Landlord access to rental units
Landlords can access rental units in certain situations. Tenants should be aware of situations where the landlord will be accessing the unit.
Learn more about landlord access to rental units.
Repairs and maintenance
Landlords are responsible for most repairs to the rental unit. Tenants are responsible for basic upkeep of the unit and for letting their landlord know when the unit needs maintenance.
Learn more about tenant and landlord responsibilities for repairs and maintenance.
Condition inspections during tenancy
Landlords can inspect the condition of the rental property once per month during a tenancy. Landlords must follow the rules around accessing a rental unit and tenants must allow the landlord access to inspect the unit.
Learn more about condition inspections.
Subletting and assigning tenancies
Tenants must get written permission from the landlord to sublet or assign the tenancy to another tenant. The landlord can ask for credit and reference information from the new tenant. The existing tenant and the new tenant should make a written agreement.
Learn more about subletting or assigning a tenancy.
Guests during tenancy
Landlords cannot unreasonably restrict tenants from having guests in their rental unit. Tenants should ensure that guests do not become occupants of their rental unit.
Learn more about guests during tenancy.
Pets and tenancy
Landlords state whether pets are allowed at a rental property in the tenancy agreement. Tenants must follow the pet rules stated in the tenancy agreement. Landlords can limit pet size, type, number of pets and set reasonable pet-related rules.
Learn more about having pets in a rental unit.
Peace, quiet and privacy
Tenants have a right to peace, quiet and privacy in their homes. They also have a responsibility not to disturb other occupants of the building. Landlords have a responsibility to resolve conflicts between tenants about peace, quiet and privacy.
Learn more about quiet enjoyment.
Smoking and cannabis
No smoking clauses in tenancy agreements also apply to smoking cannabis. They do not apply to vaping cannabis. Tenants can’t grow cannabis in their rental unit unless they are authorized to grow medical cannabis.
Learn more about smoking and cannabis use in a rental unit.
Communication
Landlords and tenants should communicate in writing about tenancy issues. Landlords have a responsibility to give proper notice when they need to enter the rental unit, end or restrict a service, or end the tenancy.
Learn more about communicating during a tenancy.
Natural disasters
Natural disasters can affect residential tenancies. Tenants must pay their rent while evacuated during a disaster. Landlords must ensure the rental unit is safe and livable before tenants can move back in.
Learn more about what to do during a natural disaster.
Tenant rights
Tenants have rights during a tenancy, including their rights to dispute problems and their quiet enjoyment rights. Landlords can't physically remove tenants or lock them out of their rental units.
Learn more about tenant rights.
Contact the Residential Tenancy Branch
The Residential Tenancy Branch provides information, resources and dispute resolution services for tenants and landlords.