British Columbia Residential Tenancy Agreement Rental Template

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY AGREEMENT (BRITISH COLUMBIA)

DOCUMENT CONTROL

• Effective Date: [Effective Date]
• Version: 2026.1
• Jurisdictional Scope: Province of British Columbia, Canada
• Governing Legislation: Residential Tenancy Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 78 (as amended) ("RTA")

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OFFICIAL NOTICE / DISCLAIMER

LEGAL NOTICE: This Residential Tenancy Agreement is a standardized legal instrument tailored to the statutory framework of the Province of British Columbia. It incorporates mandatory terms required under the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) and Residential Tenancy Regulation. Changes, deletions, or modifications to statutory terms may be void and unenforceable under British Columbia law. Both Landlord and Tenant acknowledge receipt of this document and independent opportunity to review the RTA prior to execution.

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1. PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

This Agreement is entered into by and between:

• Landlord: [Landlord's Full Legal Name or Corporate Entity], having a primary address of [Landlord's Street Address, City, BC, Postal Code], Email: [Landlord's Email], Phone: [Landlord's Phone Number] (hereinafter referred to as the "Landlord"),

AND

• Tenant(s): [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name] and [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name], having a contact address of [Tenant's Current Address / Email / Phone] (hereinafter referred to as the "Tenant").

1.1 Definitions

• "Residential Property" / "Premises": The rental unit located at [Unit Number and Street Address], Vancouver/Victoria/[City], BC, Postal Code [Postal Code], including the following designated storage lockers, parking stalls, and limited common property: [List Parking/Storage/Other specifics, or state "None"].
• "Term": Commencing at 12:00 PM on [Start Date, e.g., October 1, 2026] and ending at 1:00 PM on [End Date, e.g., September 30, 2027], after which this tenancy converts to a month-to-month tenancy pursuant to Section 44 of the RTA unless properly terminated.
• "Rent": The total financial consideration payable by the Tenant to the Landlord in exchange for the use and occupancy of the Premises.

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2. FINANCIAL TERMS & OBLIGATIONS

2.1 Rent Amount and Due Date

The Tenant shall pay monthly Rent in the exact amount of CAD $[Monthly Rent Amount], due on or before the first (1st) day of each calendar month.

2.2 Method of Payment

Rent shall be paid via [Select: Electronic Funds Transfer / Direct Deposit / Post-Dated Cheques / E-Transfer to Landlord Email] directed to the Landlord's designated account. Cash payments are strictly prohibited; the Landlord shall issue an immediate written receipt for any cash payment if accepted under exceptional circumstances.

2.3 Security Deposit and Pet Damage Deposit

Pursuant to Section 19 of the RTA:

• Security Deposit: The Tenant shall pay CAD $[Security Deposit Amount - max 0.5 months rent] on or before [Deposit Due Date]. This sum shall not exceed one-half of one month's rent.
• Pet Damage Deposit: The Tenant shall pay CAD $[Pet Deposit Amount - max 0.5 months rent, or state "N/A"] on or before [Pet Deposit Due Date], applicable exclusively to the keeping of approved pets.
• Interest and Return: Deposits shall accrue interest only as prescribed by the Residential Tenancy Regulation and shall be returned to the Tenant within fifteen (15) days of the later of the tenancy ending or the forwarding address being provided in writing, subject to lawful deductions under RTA Section 38.

2.4 Late Fees and Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Charges

Pursuant to Section 7 of the Residential Tenancy Regulation, the Landlord may charge an administration fee of CAD $25.00 for any late payment of rent or for any NSF cheque, provided the Landlord has included this term in the tenancy agreement.

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3. UTILITIES AND SERVICES

3.1 Allocation of Utilities

The cost of utilities shall be borne by the parties as follows:

• Electricity: Paid by [Tenant / Landlord]
• Gas: Paid by [Tenant / Landlord]
• Water: Paid by [Tenant / Landlord]
• Internet / Cable: Paid by [Tenant / Landlord]
• Strata/Maintenance Fees: Paid by the Landlord (Tenant shall bear no strata fees, but must pay strata move-in/move-out fees if applicable).

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4. STATUTORY & OPERATIVE COVENANTS (BC RTA COMPLIANCE)

4.1 Condition Inspection

The Landlord and Tenant shall inspect the Residential Property together on the day the tenant is entitled to possession of the residential property, on a mutually agreed day, or on another day, in accordance with Sections 23 and 35 of the RTA and Part 3 of the Residential Tenancy Regulation. The Condition Inspection Report forms an integral, legally binding exhibit to this Agreement.

4.2 Use and Occupancy

• The Premises shall be used strictly as a residential dwelling and occupied exclusively by the named Tenant(s) and the following authorized occupants: [List Names of Dependants/Additional Occupants or state "None"].
• Unauthorised assignment, subletting, or shifting occupancy to transient platforms (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) constitutes a material breach of this Agreement under RTA Section 34.

4.3 Quiet Enjoyment and Conduct

The Tenant, occupants, and invited guests shall not unreasonably disturb, disrupt, or interfere with the quiet enjoyment, peace, safety, and security of other occupants of the Residential Property or the surrounding neighborhood, complying strictly with applicable municipal bylaws and strata bylaws (if applicable).

4.4 Maintenance, Repairs, and Alterations

• Tenant Obligations: The Tenant shall maintain ordinary health, cleanliness, and sanitary conditions of the Premises, and shall immediately report any major structural, plumbing, or electrical defects to the Landlord in writing.
• Landlord Obligations: The Landlord shall provide and maintain the Residential Property in a state of decoration and repair that complies with health, safety, and housing standards required by law, pursuant to RTA Section 32.
• Alterations: The Tenant shall not paint, wallpaper, affix fixtures, drill into walls, or alter the structural layout of the Premises without obtaining the prior explicit written consent of the Landlord.

4.5 Pets

No pets, animals, reptiles, or birds of any kind shall be kept on or about the Premises unless expressly authorized by a separate Pet Agreement addendum signed by the Landlord, subject to strata bylaws and the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act of BC.

4.6 Smoking and Cannabis

• Tobacco/Vaping: Smoking of tobacco, cannabis, or the operation of vaping devices is [Select: Strictly Prohibited Indoors / Permitted only in designated outdoor areas: specify locations].
• Cannabis Cultivation: Cultivation, propagation, or growing of cannabis plants (exceeding the legal personal limit or any amount) inside or on the exterior of the Premises is strictly prohibited.

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5. DEFAULT, TERMINATION, AND NOTICE

5.1 Breach of Agreement

If the Tenant fails to comply with any material obligation under this Agreement or the RTA (including non-payment of rent), the Landlord may issue appropriate statutory notices to end the tenancy pursuant to Sections 46, 47, or 49 of the RTA.

5.2 Move-Out Procedure

Upon termination of this Agreement, the Tenant shall:

1. Vacate the Premises by 1:00 PM on the effective date of termination.
2. Deliver all keys, garage door openers, access fobs, and security cards to the Landlord.
3. Leave the Premises in a reasonably clean, undamaged condition, normal wear and tear excepted, matching the initial Condition Inspection Report.

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6. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

6.1 Joint and Several Liability

If more than one Tenant executes this Agreement, all such Tenants are jointly and severally (individually and collectively) liable for the full performance of all obligations, including the payment of Rent and financial damages.

6.2 Service of Documents

Pursuant to Section 88 of the RTA, documents (including notices of rent increase, dispute resolution applications, and statutory notices) may be served via email, personal delivery, registered mail, or leaving them with an adult resident at the Premises.

6.3 Statutory Paramountcy

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. If any provision of this Agreement conflicts with the Residential Tenancy Act, the provisions of the RTA shall prevail.

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7. EXECUTION & SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Residential Tenancy Agreement as of the Effective Date written above.

LANDLORD:

[Landlord Corporate Entity / Individual Name]
Signature: ___________________________________
Printed Name: [Landlord Printed Name]
Title: [Title, e.g., Authorized Agent / Owner]
Date: [Date of Execution]

TENANT 1:

Signature: ___________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 1 Printed Name]
Date: [Date of Execution]

TENANT 2:

Signature: ___________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 2 Printed Name]
Date: [Date of Execution]

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STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Statutory Disclosure & Review: Ensure the Tenant receives a complete copy of this draft along with any applicable Strata Bylaws and Rules prior to signing. Verify that the security deposit does not exceed 50% of one month's rent.
2. Execution & Deposit Collection: Both Landlord (or authorized agent) and all adult Tenants must sign and date the signature block. Collect the Security Deposit (and Pet Damage Deposit, if applicable) via traceable electronic funds transfer concurrently with signing.
3. Condition Inspection (Mandatory BC Requirement): Complete the Move-In Condition Inspection Report on or before the day the tenant takes possession. Both parties must walk through the premises, document existing flaws, and sign the official RTB-1 / Condition Inspection form.
4. Filing & Retention: Provide the Tenant with a fully executed copy of this agreement within the statutory timeline (21 days under RTA s. 13) and retain all records for a minimum of two (2) years post-tenancy for compliance auditing.