Residential

Tenancy Agreement
Important Notes: #RTB–1

The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) is of the opinion that this Residential Tenancy Agreement accurately reflects the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) and
accompanying regulations. The RTB makes no representations or warranties regarding the use of this Agreement. A landlord and tenant may wish to
obtain independent legal advice regarding whether this agreement satisfies their own personal or business needs. For the rental of a manufactured home
and a manufactured home site under a single tenancy agreement, use this Agreement form. For the rental of a manufactured home site use the
Manufactured Home Site Tenancy Agreement (form RTB-5).

The words tenant and landlord in this tenancy agreement have the same meaning as in the RTA, and the singular of these words includes the plural. In
this tenancy agreement, the words residential property have the same meaning as in the RTA. Residential property means a building, a part of a
building or related group of buildings, in which one or more rental units or common areas are located; the parcel or parcels on which the building, related
group of buildings or common areas are located; the rental unit and common areas and any other structure located on the parcel or parcels.

IF ADDITIONAL SPACE IS REQUIRED TO LIST ALL PARTIES, complete and attach Schedule of Parties (form RTB-26) RTB-26 used & attached:

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY AGREEMENT between: (use full, correct legal names)

the LANDLORD(S): (if entry for landlord is a business name, use the ’last name’ field box to enter the full legal business name)

last name first and middle name(s)

last name first and middle name(s)

and the TENANT(S):

last name first and middle name(s)

last name first and middle name(s)

(optional) phone number

(optional) other phone number

ADDRESS OF PLACE BEING RENTED TO TENANT(s) called the 'rental unit' in this agreement:

unit number street number and street name city province postal code

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE of the ■ landlord landlord’s agent:

unit/site # street number and street name city province postal code

daytime phone number other phone number

fax number for service

Residential Tenancy Branch page 1 of 6 pages

#RTB-1 (20
1. APPLICATION OF THE RESIDENTIAL TENANCY ACT
1) The terms of this tenancy agreement and any changes or additions to the terms may not contradict or change any
right or obligation under the Residential Tenancy Act or a regulation made under that Act, or any standard terms. If
a term of this tenancy agreement does contradict or change such a right, obligation or standard term, the term of
the tenancy agreement is void.
2) Any change or addition to this tenancy agreement must be agreed to in writing and initialed by both the landlord
and the tenant. If a change is not agreed to in writing, is not initialed by both the landlord and the tenant or is
unconscionable, it is not enforceable.
3) The requirement for agreement under subsection (2) does not apply to:
a) a rent increase given in accordance with the Residential Tenancy Act,
b) a withdrawal of, or a restriction on, a service or facility in accordance with the Residential Tenancy Act, or
c) a term in respect of which a landlord or tenant has obtained an arbitrator's order that the agreement of the
other is not required.

2. BEGINNING AND TERM OF THE AGREEMENT (please fill in the dates and times in the spaces provided)
This tenancy created by this agreement starts on:
day month year
Check A) and continues on a month-to-month basis until ended in accordance with the Act.
A, B or C
B) and continues on another periodic basis, as specified below, until ended in accordance with the Act.
weekly bi-weekly other:

■ C) and is for a fixed term ending on

day month year
IF YOU CHOOSE C, CHECK AND COMPLETE D OR E
Check ■ D) At the end of this time, the tenancy will continue on a month-to-month basis, or another fixed length of
D or E time, unless the tenant gives notice to end tenancy at least one clear month before the end of the term.
E) At the end of this time, the tenancy is ended and the tenant must vacate the rental unit.
This requirement is only permitted in circumstances prescribed under section 13.1 of the
Residential Tenancy Regulation, or if this is a sublease agreement as defined in the Act.
Reason tenant must vacate (required):

Residential Tenancy Regulation section number (if applicable): Tenant’s

Landlord’s
• If you choose E, both the landlord and tenant must initial here Initials Initials

The tenant must move out on or before the last day of the tenancy.

3. RENT (please fill in the information in the spaces provided)

a) Payment of Rent:
The tenant will pay the rent of $ each (check one) day week ■ month to the landlord on
the first day of the rental period which falls on the (due date, e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, .... 31st) day of each
(check one) day week
month subject to rent increases given in accordance with the RTA.
. If the rent is late, the landlord may issue a Notice to End Tenancy for
Unpaid Rent (form RTB-30) to the tenant, which may take effect 10 days after the date the notice is given.
b) What is included in the rent: (Check only those that are included and provide additional information, if needed.)
The landlord must not terminate, or restrict a service or facility that is essential to the tenant’s use of the rental unit
as living accommodation, or that is a material term of the tenancy agreement.
✘ Water ✘ Natural gas ✘ Garbage collection ✘ Refrigerator Carpets
Cablevision Sewage disposal ✘ Recycling services ✘ Dishwasher Parking for vehicles
✘ Electricity Snow removal Kitchen scrap collection Stove and oven Other:
✘
✘ Internet Storage Laundry (coin-op) ✘ Window coverings Other:

✘ Heat Recreation facilities Free laundry Furniture Other:

✘ ✘
✘ Additional information:

page 2 of 6 pages
4. SECURITY DEPOSIT AND PET DAMAGE DEPOSIT
A. Security Deposits
The tenant is required to pay a security deposit of $
by

day month year

B. Pet Damage Deposit ■ not applicable

The tenant is required to pay a pet damage deposit of $
by

day month year

The landlord agrees

that the security deposit and pet damage deposit must each not exceed one half of the monthly rent payable
for the residential property,
to keep the security deposit and pet damage deposit during the tenancy and pay interest on it in accordance
with the regulation, and
to repay the security deposit and pet damage deposit and interest to the tenant within 15 days of the end of
the tenancy agreement, unless
the tenant agrees in writing to allow the landlord to keep an amount as payment for unpaid rent
or damage, or
the landlord applies for dispute resolution under the Residential Tenancy Act within 15 days of the end
of the tenancy agreement to claim some or all of the security deposit or pet damage deposit.
The 15 day period starts on the later of
the date the tenancy ends, or
the date the landlord receives the tenant's forwarding address in writing.
If a landlord does not comply with subsection (1) , 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.
The tenant may agree to use the security deposit and interest as rent only if the landlord gives written consent.

5. PETS 7. PAYMENT OF RENT

Any term in this tenancy agreement that prohibits, or 1) The tenant must pay the rent on time, unless the
restricts the size of, a pet or that governs the tenant's tenant is permitted under the Act to deduct from
obligations regarding the keeping of a pet on the the rent. If the rent is unpaid, the landlord may
residential property is subject to the rights and issue a 10 Day Notice to End Tenancy (form
restrictions under the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act. RTB-30) to the tenant, which may take effect not
earlier than 10 days after the date the tenant
6. CONDITION INSPECTIONS receives the notice.
1) In accordance with sections 23 and 35 of the Act
2) The landlord must not take away or make the ten-
[condition inspections] and Part 3 of the regulation
ant pay extra for a service or facility that is already
[condition inspections], the landlord and tenant must
included in the rent, unless a reduction is made
inspect the condition of the rental unit together
under section 27 (2) of the Act.
a) when the tenant is entitled to possession,
3) The landlord must give the tenant a receipt for rent
b) when the tenant starts keeping a pet during the
paid in cash.
tenancy, if a condition inspection was not
4) The landlord must return to the tenant on or before
completed at the start of the tenancy, and
the last day of the tenancy any post-dated cheques
c) at the end of the tenancy.
for rent that remain in the possession of the land-
2) The landlord and tenant may agree on a different
lord. If the landlord does not have a forwarding
day for the condition inspection.
address for the tenant and the tenant has vacated
3) The right of the tenant or the landlord to claim
the premises without notice to the landlord, the
against a security deposit or a pet damage deposit,
landlord must forward any post-dated cheques for
or both, for damage to residential property is
rent to the tenant when the tenant provides a for-
extinguished if that party does not comply with
warding address in writing.
section 24 and 36 of the Residential Tenancy Act
[consequences if report requirements not met].

page 3 of 6 pages
8. RENT INCREASE seek an arbitrator's order under the
1) Once a year the landlord may increase the rent for Residential Tenancy Act for the completion
the existing tenant. The landlord may only increase and costs of the repair.
the rent 12 months after the date that the existing 2) Tenant's obligations:
rent was established with the tenant or 12 months a) The tenant must maintain reasonable health,
after the date of the last legal rent increase for the cleanliness and sanitary standards throughout
tenant, even if there is a new landlord or a new the rental unit and the other residential
tenant by way of an assignment. The landlord must property to which the tenant has access. The
use the approved Notice of Rent Increase form tenant must take the necessary steps to repair
available from any Residential Tenancy Branch damage to the residential property caused by
office or Service BC office. the actions or neglect of the tenant or a person
2) A landlord must give a tenant three whole months permitted on the residential property by the
notice, in writing, of a rent increase. [For example, tenant. The tenant is not responsible for
if the rent is due on the 1st of the month and the reasonable wear and tear to the residential
tenant is given notice any time in January, including property.
January 1st, there must be three whole months b) If the tenant does not comply with the above
before the increase begins. In this example, the obligations within a reasonable time, the
months are February, March and April, so the landlord may discuss the matter with the
increase would begin on May 1st.] tenant and may seek a monetary order
3) The landlord may increase the rent only in the through dispute resolution under the
amount set out by the regulation. If the tenant Residential Tenancy Act for the cost of repairs,
thinks the rent increase is more than is allowed by serve a notice to end a tenancy, or both.
the regulation, the tenant may talk to the landlord or 3) Emergency Repairs:
contact the Residential Tenancy Branch for a) The landlord must post and maintain in a
assistance. conspicuous place on the residential property,
4) Either the landlord or the tenant may obtain the or give to the tenant in writing, the name and
percentage amount prescribed for a rent increase telephone number of the designated contact
from the Residential Tenancy Branch. person for emergency repairs.
b) If emergency repairs are required, the tenant
9. ASSIGN OR SUBLET must make at least two attempts to telephone
1) The tenant may assign or sublet the rental unit to the designated contact person, and then give
another person with the written consent of the the landlord reasonable time to complete the
landlord. If this tenancy agreement is for a fixed repairs.
length and has 6 months or more remaining in the c) If the emergency repairs are still required, the
term, the landlord must not unreasonably withhold tenant may undertake the repairs, and claim
consent. Under an assignment a new tenant must reimbursement from the landlord, provided a
assume all of the rights and obligations under the statement of account and receipts are given to
existing tenancy agreement, at the same rent. The the landlord. If the landlord does not reimburse
landlord must not charge a fee or receive a the tenant as required, the tenant may deduct
benefit, directly or indirectly, for giving this the cost from rent. The landlord may take over
consent. completion of the emergency repairs at any
2) If a landlord unreasonably withholds consent to time.
assign or sublet or charges a fee, the tenant may d) Emergency repairs must be urgent and
apply for dispute resolution under the Residential necessary for the health and safety of persons
Tenancy Act. or preservation or use of the residential
property and are limited to repairing
10. REPAIRS
i) major leaks in pipes or the roof,
1) Landlord's obligations:
ii) damaged or blocked water or sewer
a) The landlord must provide and maintain the
pipes or plumbing fixtures,
residential property in a reasonable state of
iii) the primary heating system,
decoration and repair, suitable for occupation
iv) damaged or defective locks that give
by a tenant. The landlord must comply with
access to a rental unit, or
health, safety and housing standards required
v) the electrical systems.
by law.
b) If the landlord is required to make a repair to 11. OCCUPANTS AND GUESTS
comply with the above obligations, the tenant 1) The landlord must not stop the tenant from having
may discuss it with the landlord. If the landlord guests under reasonable circumstances in the
refuses to make the repair, the tenant may rental unit

page 4 of 6 pages
 2) The landlord must not impose restrictions on 3) The landlord may inspect the rental unit monthly in
guests and must not require or accept any extra accordance with subsection (2) (a).
charge for daytime visits or overnight 4) If a landlord enters or is likely to enter the rental unit
accommodation of guests. illegally, the tenant may apply for an arbitrator's
2.1) Despite subsection (2) of this section but subject to order under the Residential Tenancy Act, to
section 27 on the Act [terminating or restricting change the locks, keys or other means of access to
the rental unit and prohibit the landlord from obtaining
services or facilities], the landlord may impose
entry into the rental unit. At the end of the tenancy, the
reasonable restrictions on guests' use of common
tenant must give the key to the unit to the landlord.
areas of the residential property.
3) If the number of occupants in the rental unit is 14. ENDING THE TENANCY
unreasonable, the landlord may discuss the issue 1) The tenant may end a monthly, weekly or other
with the tenant and may serve a notice to end a periodic tenancy by giving the landlord at least one
tenancy. Disputes regarding the notice may be month's written notice. A notice given the day before
resolved through dispute resolution under the the rent is due in a given month ends the tenancy at
Residential Tenancy Act. the end of the following month. [For example, if the
tenant wants to move at the end of May, the tenant
LOCKS
must make sure the landlord receives written notice
The landlord must not change locks or other
on or before April 30th.]
means of access to residential property unless
2) This notice must be in writing and must
the landlord provides each tenant with new keys
a) include the address of the rental unit,
or other means of access to the residential property.
b) include the date the tenancy is to end,
The landlord must not change locks or other
c) be signed and dated by the tenant, and
means of access to a rental unit unless the tenant
d) include the specific grounds for ending the
agrees and is given new keys.
tenancy, if the tenant is ending a tenancy
The tenant must not change locks or other means of
because the landlord has breached a material
access to
term of the tenancy.
common areas of residential property, unless the
3) If this is a fixed term tenancy and the agreement
landlord consents to the change, or
does not require the tenant to vacate at the end of
his or her rental unit, unless the landlord consents
the tenancy, the agreement is renewed as a monthly
in writing to, or an arbitrator
tenancy on the same terms until the tenant gives
has ordered, the change.
notice to end a tenancy as required under the
LANDLORD’S ENTRY INTO Residential Tenancy Act.
RENTAL UNIT 4) The landlord may end the tenancy only for the
For the duration of this tenancy agreement, the rental reasons and only in the manner set out in the
unit is the tenant's home and the tenant is entitled to Residential Tenancy Act and the landlord must use
quiet enjoyment, reasonable privacy, freedom from the approved notice to end a tenancy form available
unreasonable disturbance, and exclusive use of the from the Residential Tenancy Branch.
rental unit. 5) The landlord and tenant may mutually agree in
The landlord may enter the rental unit only if one writing to end this tenancy agreement at any time.
of the following applies: 6) The tenant must vacate the residential property by
at least 24 hours and not more than 30 days before 1 p.m. on the day the tenancy ends, unless the
the entry, the landlord gives the tenant a written landlord and tenant otherwise agree.
notice which states 15. LANDLORD TO GIVE TENANCY
the purpose for entering, which must be
reasonable, and
AGREEMENT TO TENANT
the date and the time of the entry, which must The landlord must give the tenant a copy of this
be between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. unless the agreement promptly, and in any event within 21 days of
tenant agrees otherwise; entering into the agreement.
there is an emergency and the entry is necessary 16.
to protect life or property;
the tenant gives the landlord permission to enter at
the time of entry or not more than 30 days before;
the tenant has abandoned the rental unit;
the landlord has an order of an arbitra or
or court saying the landlord may enter the unit;

services and the entry is for that purpose and at

a reasonable time.

page 5 of 6 pages
17. ADDITIONAL TERMS
a) Write down any additional terms which the tenant and the landlord agree to. Additional terms may cover matters
such as pets, yard work, smoking and snow removal. Additional pages may be added.
b) Any addition to this tenancy agreement must comply with the Residential Tenancy Act and regulations, and must
clearly communicate the rights and obligations under it. If a term does not meet these requirements, or is
unconscionable, the term is not enforceable.
c) Attached to this tenancy agreement, there is is not an Addendum
If there is an Addendum attached , provide the following information on the Addendum that forms part of this
tenancy agreement:
Number of pages of the Addendum: Number of additional terms in the Addendum:
By signing this tenancy agreement, the landlord and the tenant are bound by its terms.
LANDLORD(S): (if entry for landlord is a business name, use the ’last name’ field box to enter the full legal business name)

last name first and middle name(s)

Signature: Date:

last name first and middle name(s)

Signature: Date:

TENANT(S):

last name first and middle name(s)

Signature: Date:

last name first and middle name(s)

Signature: Date:

General Information about Residential Tenancy Agreements

Important Legal Document – This tenancy agreement is an important legal document. Keep it in a safe place.
Additional Terms – Any additional terms cannot contradict or change any right or duty under the RTA or this tenancy agreement.
Amendment of the RTA – The RTA or a regulation made under the RTA, as amended from time to time, may take priority over th
terms of this tenancy agreement.
Condition Report – The landlord and tenant are required to inspect the residential unit together at the beginning and end of the
tenancy and complete a written condition report. If the landlord allows the tenant to have a pet after the start of the tenancy, an
inspection report must be done on the day the tenant starts keeping a pet or on another day mutually agreed to by the landlord and
tenant, unless the tenancy started on or after January 1, 2004, and a condition inspection report was completed at that time. A report
may describe any damage, how clean each room is, and the general condition of the residential unit including: the floors, carpets,
appliances, and paint on the walls. The report must be signed and dated by both the landlord and the tenant who made the inspection,
and each should keep a copy.
Change of Landlord – A new landlord has the same rights and duties as the previous one and must follow all the terms of this
agreement unless the tenant and new landlord agree to other terms.
Resolution of Disputes – If problems or disagreements arise, the landlord and tenant should try to talk to each other to find a solution.
If they still cannot agree, either may contact the Residential Tenancy Branch for clarification of their rights and responsibilities or an
intervention. If no agreement is reached, a landlord or a tenant may apply for a dispute resolution to get a decision. Many, but not all,
kinds of disagreements can be decided by dispute resolution.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
RTB website: www.gov.bc.ca/landlordtenant
Public Information Lines 1-800-665-8779 (toll-free) Greater Vancouver 604-660-1020 Victoria 250-387-1602

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