Should You Tell Your Landlord You Are Moving?

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If you’re a tenant, when is the best time to tell your Landlord you’re buying a house and are going to be moving out? Should you tell your Landlord you are moving? The short answer is – that depends. Tenancy Agreement First of all, if you have a fixed term tenancy agreement with a specific end date, you can’t end the tenancy before that date without being responsible for the rent if the Landlord can’t re-rent the place right away. Let your real estate agent know when your end date is and you may be able to work your purchase closing date…

5 Common Mistakes Tenants Make

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Renting a home can be an eye opening experience. If you’re a Tenant considering renting a property, here are 5 mistakes Tenants make – that are easy to make and avoid! Mistakes Tenants Make Not knowing what your Tenancy Agreement says. If you listened to your parents growing up, you know never to sign anything you haven’t read. Make sure you go through the whole tenancy agreement before you sign it and clarify any areas of concern. Once you’ve signed it, it’s too late and you’re bound by the conditions in the agreement. Not getting copies of the Tenancy Agreement…

Tenants – How can You Save Money by Going Green?

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We all know that reducing our energy and water consumption is great for the environment and it can also save you money.  Do you know how to save money by going green? If you are ready to make changes to lessen your impact on the world around you, here are just a few tips to get you started. Lights Turn off unnecessary lights. If you’re not in the room or there’s enough natural light, don’t use lights you don’t really need. You can further cut costs by using LED light bulbs.  Did you know that: LED lights use 75% less…

How to Get Along with your Landlord or Property Manager

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Sometimes it can feel like you butt heads with your Landlord, maybe repairs aren’t being done as quickly as you’d like, or they don’t call you back “fast enough”.  How can you get along with your landlord and foster a smooth relationship? Get along with your Landlord Here are some of the best ways to ensure you and your Landlord, or Property Manager, will get along: Pay the rent on time and in full. You agreed, when you entered into your Tenancy Agreement, to pay the rent on or before the first of each month, so make sure you do….

5 Things Tenants Need to Know About Renters Insurance

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If you don’t own the property you live in, do you really need renters insurance? If so, why? Can a Landlord make you carry Tenant Insurance? Before we look at the five things tenants need to know about renters insurance, let’s take a quick look at what Tenant Insurance is. Tenant Insurance is generally made up of two components: Contents coverage for your belongings in the event of damage or theft Liability insurance to protect you against claims relating to damage to the property, or to people (bodily injury) What should you know about renters Insurance? Do you really need insurance? The answer is…

RTA Part 5 – Rent Increases

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For our final installment of the 5 key sections of the Residential Tenancy Act, we’ll take a look rent increases. How often can rent be increased? How much can rent increases be increased by? How much notice does the Landlord have to provide the Tenant before they increase the rent? Rent increases A Landlord may only increase your rent once per year in an amount established by the Residential Tenancy Office each year. For 2016 the allowable increase is 2.9%. This means if your rent is $1000, it can only be increased to $1029 – not a huge amount. If you…

RTA Part 3 – Move In and Move Out Inspections

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Last article we discussed the Landlord’s right to enter or inspect the rental premises. In Part 3 of the Residential Tenancy Act, we’ll take a look at move in and move out inspections. Are you aware of your responsibilities as a Tenant or those of the Landlord? Inspection report At the beginning and end of a tenancy, a condition inspection of the rental property must be completed and a report signed by both the Landlord and Tenant. This documents the condition of the rental unit and includes any damages or repairs which may be necessary. Any new damages that are as…

RTA Part 1 – Giving Notice to Vacate

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It’s time to move out of the place you’re living in and you want to give notice to the Landlord. But what’s the right way to do it? You want to make sure you do it correctly so you don’t get stuck staying another month, or worse, you end up paying rent on two places. Giving notice to vacate – what is the correct way to notify your Landlord? Notice in Writing A tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by giving the Landlord one months’ notice in writing. The notice must be received by the Landlord on or before the last…

Residential Tenancy Act – 5 Key Sections Tenants Should Be Aware Of

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The Residential Tenancy Act is long and complicated. But as a Tenant, there are a few key sections you should be aware of. This is not a legal opinion or advice, but rather a general overview. For exact wording, legal interpretations or to find out about your own personal situation, please contact the Residential Tenancy Office at 1-800-665-8779, or check their website at www.rto.gov.bc.ca 5 key sections Giving your Landlord notice to vacate. How do you give proper legal notice? Does it have to be in writing? Can you send it by email? In this article we’ll deal with the…

Screening Tenants – A Landlords Time Investment

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If you are already a landlord you know that looking after your investment and screening tenants can be extremely time-consuming and at times even disappointing. Everything could be great; the rent comes in on time, the house and yard look well-maintained and then your tenant gives notice to vacate. You post ads, re-word the advertisement, enter it on other websites trying to attract attention and still no one calls.  You might even pay money to advertise in the newspaper. Is the rent negotiable? Screening tenants to find the right tenant can be a challenge. You may get questions such as, “Can…

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