Off-campus housing guide: I found a place to live – now what?

What is a tenancy agreement, and what to expect

What is a tenancy agreement? 

Also known as a lease, a tenancy agreement is an official contract between the tenant and landlord for the right to occupy a rental unit. A tenancy agreement can be written, oral, or merely implied. Once a tenant pays a security deposit, a tenancy has been established. 

The most common type of tenancy agreement is a written one. In BC, landlords can either use the Residential Tenancy Branch’s (RTB) standard agreement or write their own that must include all the standard terms to keep the landlords and tenants safe and to ensure the agreement is equitable

It is imperative for you to read the agreement thoroughly, as it has essential information that the tenant should know about. 

What to expect in a tenancy agreement 

Now that you have secured a place, you may be wondering what to look for and expect in a contract/rental agreement. Before you sign the lease, you must understand that it is a legal document and that you need to understand everything in it before you sign.

Things to check for in the tenancy agreement:

  • Names of the tenants and the landlord
  • Date the agreement was signed
  • Address of the rental unit
  • Rental agreement start and end dates
  • Address and telephone number of the landlord/property manager
  • Tenancy period (i.e., weekly, monthly, or as arranged)
  • Type of agreement (fixed term or month-to-month)
  • Amount of rent to be paid
  • Security deposit details
  • Rent variation based on the number of tenants
  • When is the rent due?
  • What facilities are included in the rent?
  • Information about the pet damage deposit or whether pets are allowed

Get everything in writing 

When dealing with your landlord, it is important to document everything in writing to simplify the process if you ever have any problematic situations with your landlord and need to apply for dispute resolution.  

Not only should you have a copy of the tenancy agreement and condition inspection report with you filed in a secure place, but if you decide to change anything on the tenancy agreement, need permission to do something, or want to let the landlord know about an issue in the unit, it is best to have those documented as well.  

If it is not possible to document an interaction in writing, you can bring along a witness who can later confirm what was said and done. A witness should be 19 years or older.  

More tenancy agreement resources

More tenant resources

Security deposits and fees

A security deposit, also known as a damage deposit, is an up-front cost usually paid to the landlord after signing the tenancy agreement. The security deposit can be no more than half a month’s rent. This money is held by the landlord until the end of the rental period, and the amount that is given back to the tenants is dependent on the condition of the rental unit. If there are damages to the property, the landlord can withhold some or all the security deposit from you.  

Learn more about deposits and other fees in BC

Move-in inspections

Either the day you move in or a few days after, you and the landlord are required to complete an inspection report. That is, you and the landlord walk around the unit, inspect every inch and cranny, discuss, write down your observations on the Condition Inspection Report form, sign your names, and date the document.  

Documenting the condition of the unit before moving in and when moving out is not only required by law in BC but is also an essential process to ensure you get your security deposit back in full.  

Learn more about Move-in inspections in BC

Tenant insurance

Tenant insurance is a recommended purchase for any renter as it provides security to your possessions, like how housing insurance protects your house and the belongings in it. The greatest difference between tenant insurance and housing insurance is that tenant insurance does not protect the building itself, only your possessions within it. This means that if your belongings are ruined by a flood, a fire, or stolen, you have a means to get back the money lost as your items have been insured. Some landlords will require tenant insurance in your tenancy agreement.

Learn more about tenant insurance in BC

A few more things

Internet and utilities

Internet is often not included in the monthly rental fee. In these cases, the tenant is typically expected to secure internet for themselves. Some of the common options that students and landlords recommend in Kelowna are Telus, Bell, and Rogers.   

Sometimes, tenants will need to pay for electricity or natural gas services on their own as well. Electricity in Kelowna is supplied by FortisBC or BCHydro. You can set up an account on their respective websites to start the connection and pay for monthly services. 

Know your rights

As a tenant, you have rights and responsibilities outlined in the Residential Tenancy Act, which is a provincial law that establishes the legal relationship between tenants and landlords. This law protects both the tenant and the landlord through a set of rules that must be followed throughout a tenancy. Being familiar with these rights and responsibilities will make your off-campus housing experience much easier when unpleasant situations occur. To learn more, visit the Residential Tenancy Branch and the Tenancy Resource & Advisory Centre.

Top questions about rights as a tenant include:

What information should I provide to my landlord?

Organizations, in our case landlords, must follow the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) when collecting, storing, using, or disclosing personal information. Under PIPA, a landlord must securely store your information and keep it confidential.

Relevant information a landlord is allowed to ask for:

  • References
  • Credit check (If you are not able to provide an adequate reference, or employment or income verification)
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN) (If a landlord asks for a credit check, they can also ask for your SIN. However, you are not required to provide it).
  • ID (A landlord is allowed to check your ID, but they cannot take a photocopy or write done the number).
  • Employment verification

Landlords are NOT allowed to ask for your credit card number.

When can my landlord increase rent?

Landlords can only increase rent every 12 months. Also, the amount of extra rent the landlords are allowed to add is dependent on BC law.

A landlord must notify you about the increase in rent three months before the change using a Notice of Rent Increase form.

Learn more about rent increases