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Difference between revisions of "Preparing to Rent"
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Do <span class="noglossary">trust</span> your instincts—if your first meeting with a potential landlord is not good, it’s likely you’ll have problems with that person and should not rent from them. Don’t sign an agreement or pay a deposit unless you are absolutely sure you want to move in to the place. | Do <span class="noglossary">trust</span> your instincts—if your first meeting with a potential landlord is not good, it’s likely you’ll have problems with that person and should not rent from them. Don’t sign an agreement or pay a deposit unless you are absolutely sure you want to move in to the place. | ||
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A dispute resolution hearing is like a landlord-tenant "court". You and your landlord explain your problem to a dispute resolution officer, who is hired by the BC government. The dispute resolution officer decides what to do about the problem, based on your evidence and what the law says. The dispute resolution officer’s decision is legally binding. For more information on dispute resolution hearings, see the section [[Dispute Resolution for Tenants|Dispute Resolution]]. | A dispute resolution hearing is like a landlord-tenant "court". You and your landlord explain your problem to a dispute resolution officer, who is hired by the BC government. The dispute resolution officer decides what to do about the problem, based on your evidence and what the law says. The dispute resolution officer’s decision is legally binding. For more information on dispute resolution hearings, see the section [[Dispute Resolution for Tenants|Dispute Resolution]]. | ||
==Are you covered by the law?== | ==Are you covered by the law?== | ||
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There are other situations when the Act does not apply. | There are other situations when the Act does not apply. | ||
''See Section 4 of the [[Residential Tenancy Act|RTA]].'' | ''See Section 4 of the [[Residential Tenancy Act|RTA]].'' | ||
==What a landlord can ask== | ==What a landlord can ask== | ||
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'''Adults only''': A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because you have children, unless the building is reserved for people over 55 years old. It’s illegal for a landlord to advertise “adult only” or to write “adult only” in a tenancy agreement, unless the building is for tenants over 55 years old. | '''Adults only''': A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because you have children, unless the building is reserved for people over 55 years old. It’s illegal for a landlord to advertise “adult only” or to write “adult only” in a tenancy agreement, unless the building is for tenants over 55 years old. | ||
==Application fees== | ==Application fees== | ||
A potential landlord cannot ask you to pay a fee to simply apply to rent a place. If you pay an application fee and the landlord will not give it back to you, you can apply for dispute resolution to have it returned. At a dispute resolution hearing you can remind the dispute resolution officer that the application fee was collected from you illegally and should be returned. Of course you need to know the | A potential landlord cannot ask you to pay a fee to simply apply to rent a place. If you pay an application fee and the landlord will not give it back to you, you can apply for dispute resolution to have it returned. At a dispute resolution hearing you can remind the dispute resolution officer that the application fee was collected from you illegally and should be returned. Of course you need to know the | ||
landlord’s proper legal name and address and have proof that you paid the fee. Many potential tenants pay these fees in cash and do not know to whom they are paying the fees. Therefore, it is best to not pay an application fee and not rent from someone who asks for it. Take it as an indication of problems to come. (See also page 17 for application deposits.) ''See Section 15 of the [[Residential Tenancy Act|RTA]].'' | landlord’s proper legal name and address and have proof that you paid the fee. Many potential tenants pay these fees in cash and do not know to whom they are paying the fees. Therefore, it is best to not pay an application fee and not rent from someone who asks for it. Take it as an indication of problems to come. (See also page 17 for application deposits.) ''See Section 15 of the [[Residential Tenancy Act|RTA]].'' | ||
==Information for visiting students== | ==Information for visiting students== | ||
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Remember that you are entering into a contract—a business deal with a landlord. It is important to make sure everything about the deal is clear from the beginning so that there is little chance of an argument or dispute later. | Remember that you are entering into a contract—a business deal with a landlord. It is important to make sure everything about the deal is clear from the beginning so that there is little chance of an argument or dispute later. | ||
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== Legislation and links == | == Legislation and links == | ||
