Moving In and Out
Moving In and Out
A tenant and a landlord do an inspection together when a tenant moves in and when a tenant moves out. They check to see that everything is working. Make sure that you get a copy of this inspection. Before you move in or move out, call the Residential Tenancy Branch or the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre for information about the rules for the inspection.
Moving Out
When you want to move out of a house or apartment that you are renting, the law requires that you tell your landlord in writing. This is called giving notice. You have to write your address and the date you will move out and sign your name. If you are in a month-to-month tenancy, you must give it to the landlord at least one month before you will move out. The first day of the month before you plan to move out is too late.
For example: Raj Gill has decided to move out of his apartment on December 31. He will give his notice to his landlord on November 30. Giving notice December 1 is too late. If he is late, Raj has to pay an extra month’s rent.
It’s best to give the notice to the landlord or the building manager yourself. You may want to ask someone to go with you in case the landlord denies receiving the notice. Keep a copy of the notice. If you mail the notice via registered mail, make sure you keep the receipt and a copy of the notice. Remember that if the landlord denies you gave proper notice, you will need evidence to prove that you did.
Residential Tenancy Branch
604-660-1020 (in the Lower Mainland),
250-387-1602 (in Victoria) or
1-800-665-8779 (toll free in BC).
www.rto.gov.bc.ca
Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre
604-255-0546 (in the Lower Mainland)
1-800-665-1185 (toll free in BC)
www.tenants.bc.ca.
Discrimination in Renting
Sometimes a house or an apartment is for rent. The landlord can’t refuse to rent it to people because of their sex, age, race, religion, birthplace, sexual orientation (gay, bisexual, or straight), marital or family status (single, married, or living common-law), or mental or physical disability. Unless it is a seniors’ building, a landlord can’t refuse to rent to people because they have children. The landlord also can’t refuse to rent to you because you are on welfare. BC law says this is discrimination. A landlord can’t charge a different price or make different rules for tenants of different races, skin colours, religions, sexes, and so on. This is the law. You can complain to the BC Human Rights Tribunal if you think a landlord has discriminated against you.
BC Human Rights Tribunal
604-775-2000 (in the lower mainland)
1-888-440-8844 (toll free in BC)
www.bchrt.bc.ca