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→Landlords and tenants
When you rent a home or an apartment, you are a tenant, also referred to as a renter. If you own a home or apartment and you rent it to someone else, you are a landlord.
There is a department of the provincial government that is responsible for making sure landlords and tenants follow these laws. It is called the ''[[Residential Tenancy Branch]]''.
===Find out what the law says===
The main law that gives the rules for landlords and tenants is called the Residential Tenancy Act. The Residential Tenancy Branch and Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre can provide you with important, free information.
:'''Residential Tenancy Branch'''
:Vancouver: 604-660-1020
:Victoria: 250-387-1602
:Toll-free: 1-800-665-8779
:[http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca www.rto.gov.bc.ca]
===Looking for a place to rent?===
===Making an agreement to rent===
When a tenant finds a suitable house or apartment to rent, the tenant and the landlord make a contract. A contract is a legal agreement. A contract between a landlord and tenant is called a ''tenancy agreement''.
A tenancy agreement must follow the rules about renting in the ''[[Residential Tenancy Act ]]'' and Regulations.
The Residential Tenancy Branch has a tenancy agreement form that you and your landlord can use. The form is called Residential Tenancy Agreement. It is available from their website:[http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/documents/RTB-1.pdf www.rto.gov.bc.ca/documents/RTB-1.pdffrom their website].
A tenant and a landlord can sign a month-to- month agreement or a fixed term agreement, also known as a ''lease''. If you sign a lease, you can’t move out until your lease is finished without paying extra money.
:'''For example: ''' if you sign a one year lease, you have to stay until the end of the one year. If you decide to move out before the end of the lease, you may have to pay your landlord some extra money to cover the difference between what you agreed to in writing and what you now want to change.
A tenancy agreement must be in writing. The tenant and the landlord sign it and date it. The landlord must give the tenant a copy of the tenancy agreement within 21 days. The agreement will say how much the rent is and when you must pay it. The agreement should also include what the law says about such things as ''security deposits'', ''rent increases'', and repairs.
You should read the agreement before you sign it. Get someone to help if you need to.