Quick Tips for Landlords & Tenants

Tenants must provide written notice to end the tenancy before the day the rent is due.

• Tenant notice to end tenancy

Landlords must provide written notice using an approved form to end the tenancy.

• Landlord notice to end tenancy

The landlord must provide written notice to enter the rental unit – it must be received by the tenant at least 24 hours before entry (unless the tenant agrees).

• Landlord's access to the unit
• Serving notices during tenancy

The landlord and tenant must do a condition inspection together when the unit is empty before moving in and after moving out.

• How-to video: Condition Inspections

Use the following form to list all damages that exist – it must be signed by both the landlord and the tenant:

• Condition Inspection Report (PDF 1.6 MB)

Landlords must also:

• Give the tenant a copy of the inspection report within seven days
• Give the tenant two opportunities in writing to do the inspection together
• Provide clean premises with appliances in good working order

Tenants must pay the full rent on or before the day it's due:

• Paying rent

Landlords can:

• Give a 10 Day Notice for non-payment of rent any day after the rent is due
• Issue a notice of rent increase three months prior to the increase
• Raise the rent once in any 12-month period

• Learn about the 10 Day Notice to End Tenancy
• Find out how to make a direct request

Landlords need to make sure their tenants have quiet enjoyment of the rental unit.

Tenants must not interfere with or disturb another occupant, neighbour, or the landlord.

Landlords must:

• Keep the rental unit in a condition of repair that complies with health, housing and safety standards
• Do emergency repairs without delay

Tenants must:

• Keep the rental unit clean and sanitary
• Repair any damages they cause
• Inform the landlord in writing of needed repairs

Find out more:

• Repairs and maintenance
• Policy Guideline: Landlord & Tenant Responsibility for Residential Premises (PDF)

Landlords must provide tenants with a 24-hour emergency contact name and number.

They must also change the locks when a tenancy starts, if the tenant requests it. Locks cannot be changed during the tenancy unless both the landlord and tenant agree.

• Policy Guideline: Locks & Access (PDF)

Landlords can ask for a security or damage deposit – it cannot be more than half of one month’s rent. They can also only ask for one pet damage deposit, no matter how many pets a tenant has.

• Deposits and fees
• How-to video: Deposits
• Information Sheet: Deposits (PDF)
• Having pets in a rental unit

Deposits must be returned to a tenant within 15 days from the end of the tenancy – as long as the tenant has provided their forwarding address in writing.

• Returning deposits

In order to keep all or part of a deposit, a landlord must either

• Apply for dispute resolution, or
• Get the tenant’s written consent to keep all or part of the deposit

Try resolving the conflict on your own. The landlord and tenant should meet, put forward suggestions for a solution, and finalize an agreement in writing.

• Talking it over
• Get it in writing

If the dispute can’t be resolved, formal dispute resolution might be the best solution. Both tenants and landlords have the right to apply for dispute resolution.

• The dispute resolution process
• Apply for dispute resolution
• How-to video: Apply for Dispute Resolution

Decisions and orders are final and binding – participants must comply with them.

• After the hearing

All residential tenancies require an agreement in writing.

• Tenancy Agreement Form (PDF)

Landlords must give a copy of the agreement to the tenant within 21 days of starting the tenancy. Changes can only be made by mutual consent and should be documented in writing.

• Learn more about tenancy agreements