RESIDENTIAL TENANCY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made effective as of the _____ day of ______________, _______.
BETWEEN:
[NAME OF TENANT(S)]
[address]
(the “Tenant”)
- and -
[NAME OF LANDLORD]
[address]
(the “Landlord”)
1. Address of Rental Premises
The rental premises (hereinafter referred to as the “Premises”) is a [choose the appropriate option]: single
family dwelling, unit in a duplex, triplex or fourplex condominium, an apartment] located at:
__________ (apt. or suite no.), __________________________________________ (street address)
_____________________ [city], British Columbia, ___________ (postal code).
2. Landlord’s Agent / Address for Service
The following person is authorized to act as Agent on behalf of the Landlord and is specifically
authorized to accept notice of the Tenant’s complaints and to accept any service of legal process or notice:
[name of agent]
[address of agent]
[phone number]
[fax number]
3. Term
The Term of this Agreement shall be a [choose the appropriate option]:
[____] daily or week-to-week tenancy which will begin on , 20___
[____] month-to-month tenancy which will begin on , 20___
[____] fixed term tenancy which will begin on , 20___ and end on
, 20___.
If the tenancy is for a fixed length of time, at the end of the fixed time [choose the appropriate option]:
[____] the tenancy may continue on a month-to-month basis or for another fixed time.
[____] the tenancy will end.
4. Rent
The rent shall be $###.## per week / month (subject to rent increases in accordance with the Residential
Tenancy Act (“RTA”), and shall be payable in advance on or before the ________ day of each week /
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month. The first week’s / month’s rent shall be payable on the _____ day of ______________, _______.
Rent cheques shall be made payable to the Landlord at the address hereinbefore stated, or at such other
address as the Landlord may designate in writing. Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for any fees assessed
by Landlord’s bank for a rent check returned by the bank for any reason.
5. Tenant’s Obligation to Pay Rent
(a) Tenant is required to pay the rent on time. If the rent is late, Landlord may issue a Notice to End
Tenancy to the Tenant, which may take effect not earlier than 10 days after the date the Notice is
given.
(b) Landlord must issue Tenant a receipt for any rent paid in cash.
(c) If the Tenant has given the Landlord post-dated cheques for rent, the Landlord shall return all
remaining post-dated cheques in its possession to the Tenant at the end of the tenancy. If the
Tenant has not provided the Landlord with a forwarding address prior to vacating the premises,
the Landlord shall forward any such post-dated cheques to the Tenant when the Tenant provides
such forwarding address.
6. Utilities, Services & Appliances
(a) The following utilities and services shall be provided and/or paid for by the party indicated
beside each item:
Provided by
Service / Utility Landlord Tenant
Electricity
Gas / heating
Water / sewer
Telephone
Cable TV
Garbage pick-up
Trash receptacles
Lawn care
Snow removal
Laundry facilities
Window coverings
Smoke detector batteries
Parking stall(s)
Security card(s)
Other [specify]:
(b) Appliances will be supplied and maintained in working order as indicated below:
Provided by
Appliance Landlord Tenant
Stove
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Refrigerator
Washer
Dryer
Dishwasher
Furnace
Hot water heater
Other [specify]:
(c) Should the Landlord agree to including electricity, gas and water, the Landlord’s share of such
utilities will not exceed a monthly allotment of $###.## (studio or one bedroom), $###.## (two
bedrooms), $###.## (3 bedrooms). Any usage over this amount is the Tenant’s responsibility.
Any utility amounts owing but unpaid by the Tenant will be deducted from the Security Deposit.
(d) The Landlord shall not terminate or restrict a service or facility that is essential to the Tenant’s
use of the Premises as living accommodation, or that is a material term of this Agreement. The
Landlord shall not terminate or make the tenant pay extra for a service or facility that is included
in the rent, unless a reduction is made under Section 27(2) of the RTA.
7. Occupancy & Use of Premises
Occupancy of the Premises is limited solely to the individuals listed below: [list all adults and children who
will be living in the Premises]
(a) The Landlord must not stop the Tenant from having guests in the Premises under reasonable
circumstances. If the number of permanent occupants is unreasonable, the Landlord may discuss
the issue with the Tenant and may serve a Notice to End a Tenancy. Disputes regarding the
notice can be resolved through arbitration under the RTA.
(b) The Landlord must not impose reasonable restrictions on guests and must not require or accept
extra charges for daytime visits or overnight accommodation of guests.
(c) The Premises shall be used for residential purposes only. It shall not be used for business, illegal
or other non-residential activities.
8. Security Deposit and Pet Damage Deposit
[use appropriate option: [By no later than _________ [insert date], the Tenant is required to pay] / [The
Landlord acknowledges receipt from the Tenant of] the following amount(s):
Security deposit: $__________
Pet damage deposit: $__________ [if applicable]
The following terms shall apply to the security deposit and the pet damage deposit (if any):
(a) The security deposit and the pet damage deposit must each not exceed one-half (1/2) of the
monthly rent payable for the Premises.
(b) The Landlord agrees to keep the security deposit and pet damage deposit during the tenancy and
pay interest on it in accordance with the RTA, and to return the security deposit and pet damage
deposit plus interest on same to the Tenant within fifteen (15) days of the end of the tenancy
hereunder, unless (i) the Tenant agrees in writing to allow the Landlord to keep an amount as
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payment for unpaid rent or damage to the Premises, or (ii) the Landlord applies for arbitration
under the RTA within fifteen (15) days of the end of the tenancy to claim some or all of the
security deposit and/or pet damage deposit.
(c) The aforesaid 15-day period starts on the later of (i) the date the tenancy ends, or (ii) the date the
Landlord receives the Tenant’s forwarding address, which the Tenant must provide in writing.
(d) If the Landlord does not comply with the requirements of paragraphs 7(a) and 7(b), the Landlord
may not make a claim against the security deposit or pet damage deposit, and must pay the
Tenant double the amount of the security deposit, pet damage deposit, or both.
(e) The Tenant may not use the security deposit and interest thereon as rent unless the Landlord
gives written consent to do so.
9. Premises Condition Inspections
(a) In accordance with Sections 23 and 35 of the RTA and Part 3 of the Regulation, the parties must
jointly inspect the condition of the Premises (i) at the commencement of the tenancy, (ii) if the
tenant starts keeping a pet after the commencement of the tenancy, and (iii) at the end of the
tenancy.
(b) The right of either party to make a claim against a security deposit or pet damage deposit for
damages to residential property is extinguished if that party does not comply with Sections 24
and 36 of the RTA.
10. Locks, Keys & Security Cards
Neither the Tenant nor the Landlord may change or add a lock or security device (for example, a door
chain) to the Premises unless both agree, or unless ordered by an arbitrator. In an emergency, the
Landlord may change the lock on the main door of the building housing the Premises, and the Tenant
may change a defective lock on the Premises and promptly provide the other party with a copy of the
new key. The Tenant agrees to assume responsibility for all lost keys and security cards and replace the
lost items at Tenant’s own expense.
11. Landlord’s Right of Entry
For the duration of this agreement, the Premises are the Tenant's home and the Tenant is entitled to
privacy, quiet enjoyment, freedom from unreasonable disturbance, and exclusive use of the Premises.
The Landlord may enter the Premises only if one of the following applies:
(a) the Landlord gives the Tenant a written notice which states why the Landlord needs to enter the
Premises (which must be for a reasonable purpose), and specifies a reasonable time (between 8:00
AM and 9:00 PM, unless the Tenant agrees otherwise), and date for such entry, to be not sooner
than 24 hours and not later than thirty (30) days from the time of giving the notice;
(b) there is an emergency and the Landlord requires entry to protect life and/or property;
(c) the Tenant gives the Landlord permission to enter at the time of entry or not more than thirty (30)
days before the time of entry for a specific purpose;
(d) the Tenant has abandoned the Premises;
(e) the Landlord has the order of an arbitrator or court saying the Landlord may enter the Premises;
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(f) the Landlord is providing housekeeping or related services to a hotel Tenant at a reasonable time.
The Landlord has the right to inspect the rental unit monthly in accordance with subclause (a) above.
If the Landlord enters the Premises illegally, the Tenant may apply for an Arbitrator's Order under the
RTA, to change the locks for the Premises and prohibit the Landlord from entering the Premises. At the
end of the tenancy, the Tenant must give the key to the Premises to the Landlord.
12. Tenant’s Responsibility to Care for Premises & Grounds (delete this provision if not applicable)
The Tenant agrees to mow and water the lawn, flower beds, and to keep the shrubbery in good order and
condition and to keep the sidewalk surrounding the Premises free and clear of all obstructions and
hazards, including snow and ice.
13. Tenant’s Insurance
Tenant acknowledges that Tenant’s personal property is not insured by the Landlord. Tenant shall have
the responsibility to purchase rental insurance at its sole cost and expense if it so desires.
14. Landlord’s Obligations for Repairs and Maintenance
(a) The Landlord shall at all times maintain the Premises and appliances provided with the Premises
in a reasonable state of decoration and repair, in a condition that complies with the health, safety
and housing standards required by law.
(b) If the Landlord neglects or refuses to make a repair in accordance with the requirements of
subparagraph (a) above after the Tenant has requested such repair, the Tenant may seek an
arbitrator’s order under the RTA for completion and costs of the repair.
15. Tenant’s Obligations for Repairs and Maintenance
(a) The Tenant must maintain ordinary health, cleanliness and sanitary standards throughout the
Premises and residential property. The Tenant must take the necessary steps to repair damage to
the Premises and residential property caused by a willful or negligent act or omission of the
Tenant or invited guests of the Tenant. The Tenant is not responsible for reasonable wear and tear
to the Premises.
(b) The Tenant shall properly use, operate and safeguard the Premises, all furniture, furnishings and
appliances, and all electrical, gas and plumbing fixtures, and in the event that water or waste
pipes become clogged by reason of the Tenant’s neglect or recklessness, the Tenant shall repair
the same at his/her own expense as well as pay for all damage caused. The Tenant agrees to
assume responsibility for plugged toilets, sinks, and garbage disposal units and shall repair the
same at his/her own expense as well as pay for all damage caused.
(c) If the Tenant does not comply with the above duties, the Landlord may discuss the matter with
the Tenant and may seek a monetary order through arbitration under the RTA for the cost of
repairs, serve a Notice to End Residential Tenancy, or both.
(d) The Tenant agrees to inform the Landlord of any non-emergency repairs required as soon as is
reasonably possible. Whenever possible, this request should be in writing.
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16. Emergency Repairs
(a) The Landlord must post and maintain in a conspicuous place on the residential property, or give
to the Tenant in writing, the name and telephone number of the designated contact person for
emergency repairs.
(b) If emergency repairs are required, the Tenant must make at least two (2) attempts to notify the
person designated by the Landlord, and give a reasonable time for completion of the emergency
repairs by the Landlord.
(c) If the emergency repairs are still required, the Tenant may undertake the repairs, and de