8. RENT INCREASE
1) Once a year the landlord may increase the rent for
the existing tenant. The landlord may only increase
the rent 12 months after the date that the existing
rent was established with the tenant or 12 months
after the date of the last legal rent increase for the
tenant, even if there is a new landlord or a new
tenant by way of an assignment. The landlord must
use the approved Notice of Rent Increase form
available from any Residential Tenancy Branch
office or Service BC office.
2) A landlord must give a tenant three whole months
notice, in writing, of a rent increase. [For example,
if the rent is due on the 1st of the month and the
tenant is given notice any time in January, including
January 1st, there must be three whole months
before the increase begins. In this example, the
months are February, March and April, so the
increase would begin on May 1st.]
3) The landlord may increase the rent only in the
amount set out by the regulation. If the tenant
thinks the rent increase is more than is allowed by
the regulation, the tenant may talk to the landlord or
contact the Residential Tenancy Branch for
assistance.
4) Either the landlord or the tenant may obtain the
percentage amount prescribed for a rent increase
from the Residential Tenancy Branch.
9. ASSIGN OR SUBLET
1) The tenant may assign or sublet the rental unit to
another person with the written consent of the
landlord. If this tenancy agreement is for a fixed
length and has 6 months or more remaining in the
term, the landlord must not unreasonably withhold
consent. Under an assignment a new tenant must
assume all of the rights and obligations under the
existing tenancy agreement, at the same rent. The
landlord must not charge a fee or receive a
benefit, directly or indirectly, for giving this
consent.
2) If a landlord unreasonably withholds consent to
assign or sublet or charges a fee, the tenant may
apply for dispute resolution under the Residential
Tenancy Act.
10. REPAIRS
1) Landlord's obligations:
a) The landlord must provide and maintain the
residential property in a reasonable state of
decoration and repair, suitable for occupation
by a tenant. The landlord must comply with
health, safety and housing standards required
by law.
b) If the landlord is required to make a repair to
comply with the above obligations, the tenant
may discuss it with the landlord. If the landlord
refuses to make the repair, the tenant may
seek an
arbitrator's
order under the
Residential Tenancy Act for the completion
and costs of the repair.
2) Tenant's obligations:
a) The tenant must maintain reasonable health,
cleanliness and sanitary standards throughout
the rental unit and the other residential
property to which the tenant has access. The
tenant must take the necessary steps to repair
damage to the residential property caused by
the actions or neglect of the tenant or a person
permitted on the residential property by the
tenant. The tenant is not responsible for
reasonable wear and tear to the residential
property.
b) If the tenant does not comply with the above
obligations within a reasonable time, the
landlord may discuss the matter with the
tenant and may seek a monetary order
through dispute resolution under the
Residential Tenancy Act for the cost of repairs,
serve a notice to end a tenancy, or both.
3) Emergency Repairs:
a) The landlord must post and maintain in a
conspicuous place on the residential property,
or give to the tenant in writing, the name and
telephone number of the designated contact
person for emergency repairs.
b) If emergency repairs are required, the tenant
must make at least two attempts to telephone
the designated contact person, and then give
the landlord reasonable time to complete the
repairs.
c) If the emergency repairs are still required, the
tenant may undertake the repairs, and claim
reimbursement from the landlord, provided a
statement of account and receipts are given to
the landlord. If the landlord does not reimburse
the tenant as required, the tenant may deduct
the cost from rent. The landlord may take over
completion of the emergency repairs at any
time.
d) Emergency repairs must be urgent and
necessary for the health and safety of persons
or preservation or use of the residential
property and are limited to repairing
i) major leaks in pipes or the roof,
ii) damaged or blocked water or sewer
pipes or plumbing fixtures,
iii) the primary heating system,
iv) damaged or defective locks that give
access to a rental unit, or
v) the electrical systems.
11. OCCUPANTS AND GUESTS
1) The landlord must not stop the tenant from having
guests under reasonable circumstances in the
rental unit