Key BC Tenancy Rules at a Glance – What Landlords Should Know in 2025
Understanding the BC Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) is essential for every landlord. Here’s a quick summary of key rental regulations for 2025 in British Columbia.
Tenant Screening: What Landlords Can and Can’t Do
What’s allowed:
- Verify employment, income, and landlord references
- Request credit checks (requires written consent)
What’s not allowed:
- Discrimination based on race, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital or family status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, age, or lawful source of income
Tenancy Agreements: What to Include
All tenancy agreements must include:
- Names of landlord and tenant
- Rental unit address
- Start date of tenancy
- Length of tenancy (fixed-term or month-to-month)
- Rent amount and payment schedule
- Included services (utilities, parking, etc.)
- Deposit details
- Any lawful rules (e.g., pet or smoking restrictions)
Lease Terms
- Fixed-Term Lease (e.g. 12 months), converts to month-to-month if not renewed
- Month-to-Month Lease
Security & Pet Deposits
- Security deposit: max 1/2 month’s rent
- Pet deposit: max 1/2 month’s rent
- Deposit interest rate owing to tenant: 0.95% per annum (2025)
- To deduct funds against deposit, landlords must have written consent to deduct from tenant and completed condition inspection reports at move-in and move-out
Rent Increases
- Limit: once per 12-month period
- Notice required: 3 months
- Maximum rent increase for 2025: 3.0%
(3.5% in 2024)
Ending a Tenancy – Landlord’s Notice Period
- For cause (e.g. tenant breach): 1 month’s notice
- Non-payment of rent/utilities: 10 days’ notice
- Landlord or family moving in: From June 18, 2025: 3 months’ notice + 1 month’s rent compensation; Prior to June 18, 2025: 4 months’ notice + 1 month’s rent compensation; owner must reside for at least 12 months
- Sale of property with new owner moving in: 3 months’ notice + 1 month’s rent compensation
- Major renovations, demolition, or conversion: 4 months’ notice + 1 month’s rent compensation
Ending a Tenancy – Tenant’s Notice Period
- Month-to-month lease: 1 full calendar month
- Fixed-term lease: 1-month notice, allowable only if: (1) permitted by landlord, or (2) permitted by Residential Tenancy Branch (e.g., family violence)
- If landlord has issued 3- or 4-month notice: Tenant may end lease with 10 days’ notice
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Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about the BC Residential Tenancy Act and is not intended as legal or tax advice. Laws and interpretations can change. Property owners should consult the official BC Residential Tenancy resources and seek advice from qualified legal and tax professionals to determine their specific obligations.