Rtb Policy Guidelines

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY POLICY GUIDELINE 1. Landlord & Tenant – Responsibility for Residential Premises GL1-1 July-25

In This Guideline:
A.Takeaway ........................................................................................................................... 2 B. Related Guidelines ........................................................................................................... 2 C. Legislative Framework..................................................................................................... 2 D. Policy Guideline Intention............................................................................................... 2 E. Renovations and Changes to Rental Unit ...................................................................... 4 F. Carpets ............................................................................................................................... 4 G. Internal Window Coverings ............................................................................................ 4 H. Windows ........................................................................................................................... 5 I. Major Appliances ............................................................................................................... 5 J. Walls .................................................................................................................................... 6 Cleaning ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Nail Holes .................................................................................................................................. 6 K. Painting ............................................................................................................................. 6 L. Baseboards and Baseboard Heaters .............................................................................. 7 M. Smoke Detectors ............................................................................................................. 7 N. Furnaces ............................................................................................................................ 7 O. Fireplace, Chimney, Vents and Fans .............................................................................. 7 P. Light Bulbs and Fuses ...................................................................................................... 8 Q. Telephones ....................................................................................................................... 8 R. Security .............................................................................................................................. 9 S. Keys .................................................................................................................................. 10 T. Property Maintenance.................................................................................................... 10 U. Garbage Removal and Pet Waste ................................................................................. 11 V. Septic, Water and Oil Tanks ........................................................................................... 11 W. Fences and Fixtures....................................................................................................... 11 X. Shared Utility Service ..................................................................................................... 13 Y. Services and Facilities ..................................................................................................... 13 Z. Changes to Policy Guideline.......................................................................................... 14

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY POLICY GUIDELINE 1. Landlord & Tenant – Responsibility for Residential Premises GL1-2 July-25

A. Takeaway

This guideline is intended to clarify the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant regarding maintenance, cleaning, and repairs of residential property and manufactured home parks, and obligations with respect to services and facilities. B. Related Guidelines

Policy Guideline 40: Useful Life C. Legislative Framework The following sections describe Landlord and Teant Responsibility for Rental Premises

Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act (MHPTA) • section 27 • section 32 • section 37 • section 21 • section 26 • section 30

D. Policy Guideline Intention

This guideline is intended to clarify the responsibilities of the landlord and tenant regarding maintenance, cleaning, and repairs of residential property and manufactured home parks, and obligations with respect to services and facilities.

The Landlord is responsible for ensuring that rental units and property, or manufactured home sites and parks, meet “health, safety and housing standards” established by law, and are reasonably suitable for occupation given the nature and location of the property. The tenant must maintain "reasonable health, cleanliness and sanitary standards" throughout the rental

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unit or site, and property or park. The tenant is generally responsible for paying cleaning costs where the property is left at the end of the tenancy in a condition that does not comply with that standard. The tenant is also generally required to pay for repairs where damages are caused, either deliberately or as a result of neglect, by the tenant or their guest. The tenant is not responsible for reasonable wear and tear to the rental unit or site (the premises), or for cleaning to bring the premises to a higher standard than that set out in the Residential Tenancy Act or Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act (the Legislation).

Reasonable wear and tear refers to natural deterioration that occurs due to aging and other natural forces, where the tenant has used the premises in a reasonable fashion. An arbitrator may determine whether or not repairs or maintenance are required due to reasonable wear and tear or due to deliberate damage or neglect by the tenant. An arbitrator may also determine whether or not the condition of premises meets reasonable health, cleanliness and sanitary standards, which are not necessarily the standards of the arbitrator, the landlord or the tenant.

Residential Tenancy Agreements must not include terms that contradict the Legislation. For example, the tenant cannot be required as a condition of tenancy to paint the premises or to maintain and repair appliances provided by the landlord. Such a term of the tenancy agreement would not be enforceable. The tenant may only be required to paint or repair where the work is necessary because of damages for which the tenant is responsible. The landlord and tenant may enter into a separate agreement authorizing the tenant to provide services for compensation or as rent.

The section in these guidelines on "Property Maintenance" and "Septic, Water and Oil Tanks" is applicable to both Manufactured Home Park tenancies and traditional residential premises tenancies.
The Residential Tenancy Branch issues policy guidelines to help Residential Tenancy Branch staff and the public in addressing issues and resolving disputes under the Residential Tenancy Act and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act. This policy guideline may be revised and new guidelines issued from time to time.

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY POLICY GUIDELINE 1. Landlord & Tenant – Responsibility for Residential Premises GL1-4 July-25

E. Renovations and Changes to Rental Unit

Any changes to the rental unit and/or residential property not explicitly consented to by the landlord must be returned to the original condition.
If the tenant does not return the rental unit and/or residential property to its original condition before vacating, the landlord may return the rental unit and/or residential property to its original condition and claim the costs against the tenant. Where the landlord chooses not to return the unit or property to its original condition, the landlord may claim the amount by which the value of the premises falls short of the value it would otherwise have had. F. Carpets
At the beginning of the tenancy the landlord is expected to provide the tenant with clean carpets in a reasonable state of repair.
The landlord is not expected to clean carpets during a tenancy, unless something unusual happens, like a water leak or flooding, which is not caused by the tenant.
The tenant is responsible for periodic cleaning of the carpets to maintain reasonable standards of cleanliness. Generally, at the end of the tenancy the tenant will be held responsible for steam cleaning or shampooing the carpets after a tenancy of one year. Where the tenant has deliberately or carelessly stained the carpet they will be held responsible for cleaning the carpet at the end of the tenancy regardless of the length of tenancy.
The tenant may be expected to steam clean or shampoo the carpets at the end of a tenancy, regardless of the length of tenancy, if they, or another occupant, has had pets which were not caged or if they smoked in the premises. G. Internal Window Coverings
If window coverings are provided at the beginning of the tenancy they must be clean and in a reasonable state of repair.

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY POLICY GUIDELINE 1. Landlord & Tenant – Responsibility for Residential Premises GL1-5 July-25

The landlord is not expected to clean the internal window coverings during the tenancy unless something unusual happens, like a water leak, which is not caused by the tenant.
The tenant is expected to leave the internal window coverings clean when they vacate. The tenant should check with the landlord before cleaning in case there are any special cleaning instructions. The tenant is not responsible for water stains due to inadequate windows.
The tenant may be liable for replacing internal window coverings, or paying for their depreciated value, when they have damaged the internal window coverings deliberately, or have misused them e.g. cigarette burns, not using the "pulls", claw marks, etc.
The tenant is expected to clean the internal window coverings at the end of the tenancy regardless of the length of the tenancy where they, or another occupant smoked in the premises. H. Windows
At the beginning of the tenancy the landlord is expected to provide the tenant with clean windows, in a reasonable state of repair.
The tenant is responsible for cleaning the inside windows and tracks during, and at the end of the tenancy, including removing mould. The tenant is responsible for cleaning the inside and outside of the balcony doors, windows and tracks during, and at the end of the tenancy. The landlord is responsible for cleaning the outside of the windows, at reasonable intervals.
I. Major Appliances
At the end of the tenancy the tenant must clean the stove top, elements and oven, defrost and clean the refrigerator, wipe out the inside of the dishwasher.
If the refrigerator and stove are on rollers, the tenant is responsible for pulling them out and cleaning behind and underneath at the end of the tenancy. If the refrigerator and stove aren't on rollers, the tenant is only

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responsible for pulling them out and cleaning behind and underneath if the landlord tells them how to move the appliances without injuring themselves or damaging the floor. If the appliance is not on rollers and is difficult to move, the landlord is responsible for moving and cleaning behind and underneath it.

The landlord is responsible for repairs to appliances provided under the tenancy agreement unless the damage was caused by the deliberate actions or neglect of the tenant. J. Walls Cleaning

The tenant is responsible for washing scuff marks, finger prints, etc. off the walls unless the texture of the wall prohibited wiping. Nail Holes

Most tenants will put up pictures in their unit. The landlord may set rules as to how this can be done e.g. no adhesive hangers or only picture hook nails may be used. If the tenant follows the landlord's reasonable instructions for hanging and removing pictures/mirrors/wall hangings/ceiling hooks, it is not considered damage and they are not responsible for filling the holes or the cost of filling the holes.
The tenant must pay for repairing walls where there are an excessive number of nail holes, or large nails, or screws or tape have been used and left wall damage.
The tenant is responsible for all deliberate or negligent damage to the walls. K. Painting

The landlord is responsible for painting the interior of the rental unit at reasonable intervals. The tenant cannot be required as a condition of tenancy to paint the premises. The tenant may only be required to paint or repair where the work is necessary because of damages for which the tenant is responsible.

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY POLICY GUIDELINE 1. Landlord & Tenant – Responsibility for Residential Premises GL1-7 July-25

L. Baseboards and Baseboard Heaters

The tenant must wipe or vacuum baseboards and baseboard heaters to remove dust and dirt. M. Smoke Detectors

If there are smoke detectors, or if they are required by law, the landlord must install and keep smoke alarms in good working condition. Regular maintenance includes: • annual inspection of the system • annual cleaning and testing of the alarm • replacing batteries at least annually and according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The tenant must not prevent the smoke alarm from working by taking out batteries and leaving them out, or by replacing them with batteries that are dead or the wrong size. For their own safety and the safety of others, the tenant must tell the landlord when a smoke alarm needs new batteries, or that it seems to need to be repaired or replaced. N. Furnaces
The landlord is responsible for inspecting and servicing the furnace in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, or annually where there are no manufacturer’s specifications, and is responsible for replacing furnace filters, cleaning heating ducts and ceiling vents as necessary.
The tenant is responsible for cleaning floor and wall vents as necessary.

O. Fireplace, Chimney, Vents and Fans

The landlord is responsible for cleaning and maintaining the fireplace chimney at appropriate intervals.
The tenant is responsible for cleaning the fireplace at the end of the tenancy if they have used it.

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY POLICY GUIDELINE 1. Landlord & Tenant – Responsibility for Residential Premises GL1-8 July-25

The tenant is required to clean the screen of a vent or fan at the end of the tenancy.
The landlord is required to clean out the dryer exhaust pipe and outside vent at reasonable intervals.

P. Light Bulbs and Fuses

The landlord is responsible for: • making sure all light bulbs and fuses are working when the tenant moves in. • replacing light bulbs in hallways and other common areas like laundry and recreational rooms; and • repairing light fixtures in hallways and other common areas like laundry and recreational rooms.
The tenant is responsible for: • Replacing light bulbs in their premises during the tenancy, • Replacing standard fuses in their unit (e.g. stove), unless caused by a problem with the stove or electrical system, and • Making sure all fuses are working when they move out, except when there is a problem with the electrical system. Q. Telephones
Where provided under the tenancy agreement, the cost of repairing telephones, jacks and wiring, are the responsibility of the landlord.
If the tenant wants to install extra jacks or change jacks, they must get written permission from the landlord. If the landlord allows the installation, the tenant must pay for it, unless otherwise agreed. The tenant must leave the changes / additions at the end of the tenancy, unless there is an agreement to the contrary, in which case the tenant must repair the damaged wall etc.
The tenant is responsible for problems with their own telephone and cord and any wiring and/or jacks provided by them.

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY POLICY GUIDELINE 1. Landlord & Tenant – Responsibility for Residential Premises GL1-9 July-25

The landlord shall not unreasonably withhold consent for extra jacks or change of jacks where these are reasonably required by the tenant. R. Security
The tenant must get the landlord's approval, in writing, before installing a security system or alarm.
The tenant who has installed an alarm system, and then moves out, must either: • leave the system in the unit; or • remove the system and repair any damage caused to the unit during installation or removal.
Unless an arbitrator has ordered otherwise1, the tenant must give the landlord the access code to their alarm.
If a security system is provided in the premises when the tenant moves in, the landlord is responsible for maintaining and repairing the security system unless the security system is damaged by the tenant or a person permitted in the premises by the tenant, in which case the tenant shall be responsible for the cost of repair.
If the tenant requests that the locks be changed at the beginning of a new tenancy, the landlord is responsible for re-keying or otherwise changing the locks so that the keys issued to previous tenants do not give access to the residential premises. The landlord is required to pay for any costs associated with changing the locks in this circumstance. The landlord may refuse to change the locks if the landlord had already done so after the previous tenant vacated the rental premises.
The landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining adequate locks or locking devices on all exterior doors and windows of a residential premises provided however that where such locks or locking devices are damaged by the actions of the tenant or a person permitted on the premises by the tenant, then the tenant shall be responsible for the cost of repairs.

1 RTA, s. 31(3).

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY POLICY GUIDELINE 1. Landlord & Tenant – Responsibility for Residential Premises GL1-10 July-25

In a multi-unit residential premises, in addition to providing and maintaining adequate locks or locking devices on all doors and windows of each individual unit within the premises, the landlord is responsible for providing adequate locks or locking devices on all entrances to common areas in the premises and on all storage areas. S. Keys

The landlord must give each tenant at least one set of keys for the rental unit, main doors, mail box and any other common areas under the landlord's control, such as recreational or laundry rooms. The tenant must return all keys at the end of the tenancy, including those they had cut at their own expense. T. Property Maintenance

The tenant must obtain the consent of the landlord prior to changing the landscaping on the residential property, including digging a garden, where no garden previously existed.
Unless there is an agreement to the contrary, where the tenant has changed the landscaping, they must return the garden to its original condition when they vacate.
Generally the tenant who lives in a single-family dwelling is responsible for routine yard maintenance, which includes cutting grass, and clearing snow. The tenant is responsible for a reasonable amount of weeding the flower beds if the tenancy agreement requires a tenant to maintain the flower beds.
Generally the tenant living in a townhouse or multi-family dwelling who has exclusive use of the yard is responsible for routine yard maintenance, which includes cutting grass, clearing snow.
The landlord is generally responsible for major projects, such as tree cutting, pruning and insect control.
The landlord is responsible for cutting grass, shovelling snow and weeding flower beds and gardens of multi-unit residential complexes and common areas of manufactured home parks.

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY POLICY GUIDELINE 1. Landlord & Tenant – Responsibility for Residential Premises GL1-11 July-25

U. Garbage Removal and Pet Waste

Unless there is an agreement to the contrary, the tenant is responsible for removal of garbage and pet waste during, and at the end of the tenancy. V. Septic, Water and Oil Tanks

The landlord is responsible for emptying a holding tank that has no field and for cleaning any blockages to the pipe leading into the holding tank except where the blockage is caused by the tenant’s negligence. The landlord is also responsible for emptying and maintaining a septic tank with a field.
The landlord is responsible for winterizing tanks and fields if necessary.
The tenant must leave water and oil tanks in the condition that they found them at the start of the tenancy e.g. half full. W. Fences and Fixtures

A fixture is defined as a “thing which, although originally a movable chattel, is by reason of its annexation to, or association in use with land, regarded as a part of the land”2.

For the purposes of determining whether chattels annexed to realty remain personal property or become realty, chattels are divided into two classes:

Chattels, such as brick, stone and plaster placed on the walls of a building, become realty after annexation. In other words, where personal property does not retain its original character after it is annexed to the realty or becomes an integral part of the realty, or is immovable without practically destroying the personal property, or if all or a part of it is essential to support the structure to which it is attached then it is a fixture.
Other personal property, that does not lose its original character after

2 R.A. Brown, Law of Personal Property, 2nd ed. (Chicago: Callaghan, 1955), 137.

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attachment may continue to be personal property, if the owner of the personal property and the landowner agree.

Fixtures that have been considered tenant’s fixtures are: • Trade fixtures - where the tenant has attached them for the purposes of their trade or business. • Ornamental and domestic fixtures which are whole and complete in themselves and which can be removed without substantial injury to the building. Examples of a chattel which can be moved intact and are more likely to be considered a tenant’s fixture are blinds and a gas stove.

The landlord is responsible for maintaining fences or other fixtures erected by them.
The tenant must obtain the consent of the landlord prior to erecting fixtures, including a fence.
Where a fence, or other fixture, is erected by the tenant for their benefit, unless there is an agreement to the contrary, the tenant is responsible for the maintenance of the fence or other fixture.
If, at the end of the tenancy, the tenant removes the fixture erected by them, they are responsible for repairing any damage caused to the premises or property.
If the tenant leaves a fixture on the residential premises or property that the landlord has agreed they could erect, and the landlord no longer wishes the fixture to remain, the landlord is responsible for the cost of removal, unless there is an agreement to the contrary.
If the tenant leaves a fixture on the residential premises or property that the landlord did not agree the tenant could erect, and the landlord wishes the fixture removed, the tenant is responsible for the cost of removal.
If the tenant leaves a fixture on the residential premises or property at the end of the tenancy, and the landlord does not remove it prior to the commencement of the following tenancy, the landlord is responsible for future repairs, unless the fixture only remains because the in-coming tenant

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agreed to maintain it, in which case it may be found that the ownership of the fixture passes to the in-coming tenant.

Where a fence or fixture is placed on the premises or property by the tenant, at the request of the landlord, the landlord may be held responsible for its repair and maintenance. X. Shared Utility Service
A term in a tenancy agreement which requires a tenant to put the electricity, gas or other utility billing in their name for premises that the tenant does not occupy, is likely to be found unconscionable3 as defined in the Regulations.
If the tenancy agreement requires one of the tenants to have utilities (such as electricity, gas, water etc.) in their name, and if the other tenants under a different tenancy agreement do not pay their share, the tenant whose name is on the bill, or their agent, may claim against the landlord for the other tenants' share of the unpaid utility bills. Y. Services and Facilities
A landlord must continue to provide a service or facility that is essential to the tenant's use of the rental unit as living accommodation.
If the tenant can purchase a reasonable substitute for the service or facility, a landlord may terminate or restrict a service or facility by giving 30 days' written notice, in the approved form, of the termination or restriction. The landlord must reduce the rent in an amount that is equivalent to the reduction in the value of the tenancy agreement resulting from the termination or restriction of the service or facility.4

3 Refer also to Guideline 8. 4 RTA, s. 27; MHPTA, s. 21.

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Z. Changes to Policy Guideline

Section Change Notes Date Guideline Changed

All Del Removed gendered language
July 2025 All Am Formatted to new template July 2025 Change notations am = text amended or changed del = text deleted new = new section added