Residential Tenancies Tribunal

I am a Landlord - Landlord Responsibilities

Landlord Responsibilities

What are the landlord’s responsibilities?
The landlord must:

• keep the rental in a good state of cleanliness and repairs and fit for habitation
• keep the stove and fridge and other items provided with the rental in a good state of repair
• keep all common areas (hallways, stairs, entrance) clean and safe
• follow all health, safety, housing and building standards.

Additional responsibilities apply to landlords of rooming houses and boarding houses.

Additional responsibilities apply to landlords of mobile home sites.

These tips will help you earn and keep the respect of your tenants:

• Get the right tenants. When you meet prospective tenants, be sure to get a good feel for the tenants' personality and level of responsibility, both personally and financially. Screen all prospective tenants in the same way so that it is fair and transparent.
• Set reasonable rules. Think about what you will and will not allow in your rental. Talk to other landlords for ideas. All rules should be clearly written down in the lease.
• Keep your property well-maintained. Perform regular maintenance and respond to repair requests quickly. You'll not only keep your tenants happy and healthy, but you'll also get the most out of your property.
• Show your tenants respect. Treat them with kindness and respect and they will be more likely to reciprocate it back to you. Also, be sure to respect their privacy. Don't enter the rental without good reason and without giving proper notice.
• Provide security. Everyone wants to feel safe, and your tenants are no different. Be sure to provide secure premises with adequate lighting.

What are the rights and obligations of landlords of rooming and boarding houses?
Landlords of rooming and boarding houses have the same rights and obligations as other landlords with two exceptions:

• Additional right: Rooming house landlords may enter rooms, without any notice requirement, where housekeeping services are provided by the landlord.
• Additional obligation: For landlords of a room in a rooming or boarding house, it is important that you provide and maintain sufficient doors, locks and other devices to make the room reasonably secure.

What are the landlord's obligations for a mobile home site?
The landlord must:

• keep the site in a good state of repair
• keep any items provided by the landlord in a good state of repair
• keep all common areas (roadway, park) clean and safe
• follow all health, safety, housing and building standards
• repair any damage caused by the landlord to the tenant's mobile home, skirting or any other structure on the site.

What can the tenant do if I’m not fulfilling my obligations?

• The tenant can talk with his/her landlord and try to solve the issue.
• The tenant can give the landlord a written complaint.
• If the landlord doesn't fix the problem within seven days, the tenant can ask the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for help.

Note: In an emergency, the tenant can contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal immediately, without going through the procedure mentioned above.

Can the tenant stop paying rent if the landlord is not making repairs?
No.

Where can I find additional information on my responsibilities?
Please consult the Bulletins under the Forms & Resources section.