Rentals
Landlords are encouraged to inspect their tenanted suites regularly
As part of the building maintenance program, an inspection technician enters each suite a few times per year to perform routine inspections and preventive maintenance of the fire alarm systems and other building systems. While the purpose of these inspections is certainly not to spy on residents, it has been unavoidable to notice the state of disrepair and the overcrowding in several tenanted suites.
Absentee landlords, particularly ones that use the services of an agent, might be very surprised to learn that several people are occupying their suite without their knowledge. In some cases suites are even being “sublet” without the owner’s agreement or knowledge.
Overcrowding wears down your suite, puts your investment at risk and affects the quality of life of every resident in the building. You are also susceptible to heavy fines if you are found to be in breach of occupancy bylaws.
The BC Residential Tenancy Act is clear: landlords are free to conduct monthly inspections of their suite if the following conditions are met:
Read more about landlord access to tenanted suites by clicking here
It is highly encouraged that each non resident owner join BCOMA for access to tenancy applications forms, agreements and condition inspection reports, receipt books and copies of the Residential Tenancy Act, Regulations and Policy Guidelines. In addition, approximately 30 different forms are available to help make your job as a landlord easier and in compliance with Vancouver's rental requirements.
Credit Checks
The screening process for locating good tenants has become so important with the rise of marijuana grow operations and other problems in the community. BCOMA, in partnership with TVS (Tenant Verification Service Inc), provides a credit check service seven days a week, which gives you valuable information on a prospective tenant's complete credit history. Also included is information on outstanding debts to past owners, provided from a delinquent tenant list. Click here to register online with TVS. Note: make certain to advise TVS of your BCAOMA membership number in order to receive a discount.
Did you know?
FAILURE by the landlord to offer and participate in a condition inspection and give a copy of the inspection report to the tenant will result in the landlord losing any right to claim against the tenant's security Deposit and/or pet damage deposit.
FAILURE by the tenant to participate in a condition inspection will result in the tenant forfeiting the security deposit and/or pet damage deposit.
- As a landlord, you are responsible for the actions of your rental tenants in a privately owned building. If your tenants become a nuisance to surrounding suites (excessive noise, causing leaks, pulling fire alarms, etc.), or have been caught destroying property, the strata council will issue fines and bill all repair costs back to the owner, including any costs incurred to evict disruptive tenants.
- In an effort to curb potential rental problems with poor tenants or landlords, Council has decided to formally name in the minutes from the strata meetings the problem units. Please note that if your unit / tenants appear in the minutes more than 3 times, Strata Council will proceed with eviction notice against the strata lot / tenants at the owner's expense.
- If you are planning to purchase a unit for investment or for rental, please make sure that you screen your tenants and fill out the proper form.
- It is not enough to rent the unit, collect the rent, and take no further interest. If you are non-resident Owner, please keep in close contact with your tenants to ensure that all is in order.
Landlords are encouraged to inspect their tenanted suites regularly
As part of the building maintenance program, an inspection technician enters each suite a few times per year to perform routine inspections and preventive maintenance of the fire alarm systems and other building systems. While the purpose of these inspections is certainly not to spy on residents, it has been unavoidable to notice the state of disrepair and the overcrowding in several tenanted suites.
Absentee landlords, particularly ones that use the services of an agent, might be very surprised to learn that several people are occupying their suite without their knowledge. In some cases suites are even being “sublet” without the owner’s agreement or knowledge.
Overcrowding wears down your suite, puts your investment at risk and affects the quality of life of every resident in the building. You are also susceptible to heavy fines if you are found to be in breach of occupancy bylaws.
The BC Residential Tenancy Act is clear: landlords are free to conduct monthly inspections of their suite if the following conditions are met:
- the tenant is at home and agrees to let the landlord in; or
- the tenant agreed, not more than 30 days before, to let the landlord enter; or
- if the tenant does not voluntarily agree to let the landlord enter, the tenant is given at least 24 hours written notice stating the purpose for entering.
Read more about landlord access to tenanted suites by clicking here
It is highly encouraged that each non resident owner join BCOMA for access to tenancy applications forms, agreements and condition inspection reports, receipt books and copies of the Residential Tenancy Act, Regulations and Policy Guidelines. In addition, approximately 30 different forms are available to help make your job as a landlord easier and in compliance with Vancouver's rental requirements.
Credit Checks
The screening process for locating good tenants has become so important with the rise of marijuana grow operations and other problems in the community. BCOMA, in partnership with TVS (Tenant Verification Service Inc), provides a credit check service seven days a week, which gives you valuable information on a prospective tenant's complete credit history. Also included is information on outstanding debts to past owners, provided from a delinquent tenant list. Click here to register online with TVS. Note: make certain to advise TVS of your BCAOMA membership number in order to receive a discount.
Did you know?
FAILURE by the landlord to offer and participate in a condition inspection and give a copy of the inspection report to the tenant will result in the landlord losing any right to claim against the tenant's security Deposit and/or pet damage deposit.
FAILURE by the tenant to participate in a condition inspection will result in the tenant forfeiting the security deposit and/or pet damage deposit.