Difference between revisions of "Preparing to Rent"

'''Verbal Tenancies:''' Although [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section13 section 13] of the ''RTA'' requires landlords to prepare tenancy agreements in writing, [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section1 section 1] of the ''RTA'' also says that a tenancy agreement can be “oral, express or implied”. This means that you do not have to sign a written agreement to establish a tenancy. Despite the fact that verbal tenancies are covered by the ''RTA'', it is still always best to have a written agreement with your landlord.

It is important to understand the difference between the terms “owner”, “landlord”, and “agent”. All tenancies under the ''[[Residential Tenancy Act]] (RTA)'' have an owner who is automatically considered a landlord. In addition, some tenancies will include agents acting as secondary landlords on behalf of the owner. For example, if you rent a unit in a large apartment building, there is a good chance the owner will hire a property management company to manage the building. In this situation, the owner and the property management company, acting as the owner’s agent, are considered your landlords. This means that if you have any problems during your tenancy, you can list both of them on an application for dispute resolution. See [http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_02078_01#section1 section 1] of the ''RTA'' for more information.