Pets
In the tenancy agreement, a landlord can indicate whether or not pets are allowed at the rental property. If they are allowed, landlords can also:
- Restrict the size, kind and number of pets or include reasonable pet-related rules in the tenancy agreement (these can be negotiated to suit both parties)
- Require a pet damage deposit
Tenants are responsible for cleaning up after their pets and repairing any damage they cause.
Landlords should remember that pet clauses in the tenancy agreement must comply with any strata property bylaws (e.g. a condominium), if applicable.
Guide and service dogs
- Guide and service dogs are not pets and are legally allowed to live in rental properties.
- Landlords cannot require a pet damage deposit for guide and service dogs.
- Tenants and visitors are permitted to have their guide or service dog on rental premises without restriction.
- Landlords cannot refuse to rent a property to someone because they have a disability and have a guide or service dog in the rental property to assist them.
For more information on Guide and Service dogs, please visit the Province on B.C's website.
Human rights code
The BC Human Rights Code helps to protect people from discrimination and harassment. BC’s tenancy laws must also comply with Human Rights legislation and housing providers have a duty to accommodate to the point of undue hardship those with a protected class under the Human Rights Code.
For more information on how The Human Rights Tribunal defines the duty to accommodate and undue hardship please visit their website. More information on accommodation for persons with disabilities under the Human Rights Code can also be found on the Province of BC’s website on human rights protection.
The content on this website is periodically reviewed and updated by the Province of British Columbia as per the date noted on each page: February 10, 2021.
