TENANT RIGHTS · BRITISH COLUMBIA
Tenant rights in British Columbia
Rent increases, entry notice, security and pet damage deposits, repairs and ending a tenancy — what the Residential Tenancy Act actually gives you.
Last reviewed 15 September 2026.
Rent and increases
Rent can rise once per year, with three clear months of written notice on the province's official form. An increase announced by text message or a note on the door is not valid.
The province publishes the maximum allowable increase each year. Anything above it needs approval from an arbitrator, granted only in narrow situations.
A landlord cannot raise rent between tenants beyond the legal amount as a way of pushing a sitting tenant out, and cannot charge a fee to accept your rent payment.
Entry and privacy
Entry requires 24 hours' written notice with a stated reason and a window between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Repeated entry without notice is a breach you can take to dispute resolution.
A landlord may not change locks without giving you a new key, and may not restrict your reasonable use of the unit or common areas.
Showings to prospective tenants or buyers still require the same notice.
Repairs and maintenance
The landlord must keep the unit safe, sanitary and in a state that complies with health, safety and housing standards — including heat, plumbing and structure — regardless of what the tenancy agreement says.
You are responsible for damage you or your guests cause, and for basic cleanliness. Normal wear and tear is not damage.
Ask in writing, keep a copy, and give a reasonable deadline. If nothing happens, you can apply for dispute resolution for repairs or a rent reduction rather than withholding rent on your own.
Ending a tenancy
A tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy gives at least one full rental month's written notice, timed so it lands before the day rent is due.
A landlord must use the correct official notice form, with the notice period and any compensation that applies to the reason given. You can dispute most notices within a short deadline — that deadline is strict.
At move-out, take part in the condition inspection and give your forwarding address in writing. Without it, the clock on returning your deposit does not start.
Common questions
How much notice does a BC landlord need before entering?
Written notice at least 24 hours before entry, stating the reason and a time between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. — unless there is an emergency, you agree at the time, or you have abandoned the unit.
How often can rent be increased in British Columbia?
Once every 12 months, with three full months of written notice on the approved form, and only up to the annual maximum the province sets each year. Any increase above that requires an arbitrator's approval.
How big can a deposit be in BC?
A security deposit of up to half a month's rent, plus a pet damage deposit of up to another half month's rent if you have a pet. Both must be returned within 15 days of the tenancy ending and your forwarding address being given, unless you agree otherwise or the landlord applies for dispute resolution.
Can I be evicted so the landlord's family can move in?
Only in limited circumstances, with the required notice and compensation, and the unit must actually be used for that stated purpose. If it is not, you can apply for additional compensation through the Residential Tenancy Branch.
Official sources
- BC Residential Tenancy Branch
- BC — rent increases and the annual maximum
- BC — security and pet damage deposits
- Residential Tenancy Act
This is general information, not legal advice. Dispute deadlines in BC are short — check the Residential Tenancy Branch as soon as you receive a notice.