The Renters' Hub is here to help inform and guide you through the ins-and-outs of your rights and responsibilities as a renter in Victoria.
Eviction from Redevelopment: Rights and Resources
Rental Homes: Maintenance and Repair
Community Resources
Victoria has several organizations and programs that offer specialized, renter specific supports.
Legal information about renter rights and responsibilities
Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre provides education and resources about Residential Tenancy Law, promotes tenants’ legal rights and affordable housing in B.C., and provides some legal representation. Their videos and publications are available in 21 languages.
Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) provides free legal education, advocacy and representation for individuals receiving income assistance or disability benefits who are experiencing tenancy issues in Victoria. TAPS helps tenants navigate Residential Tenancy Branch hearings and issues such as eviction notices, return of security deposits, lack of service and repairs, and more.
The Law Centre is a free poverty law clinic that provides legal representation in areas such as residential tenancy, human rights, criminal and other civil matters to individuals in Greater Victoria.
Ask an Advocate provides basic information about tenancy, income assistance, provincial and federal disability benefits, and other income supports. The site has videos, FAQs, fact sheets and links to other resources.
Help with finding rental housing you can afford
B.C. Housing
Subsidized housing is rental housing where rent is calculated to be no more than 30 per cent of gross household income. Subsidized housing units, operated by non-profit housing providers, are filled from a central Housing Registry administered by BC Housing. Learn more about the Subsidized Housing Registry.
Helps make rents affordable for BC seniors with low to moderate incomes. The SAFER program provides monthly rent subsidies for eligible B.C. residents aged 60 or over.
The Market Rent Housing program is for people who have a moderate income and are looking for an affordable long-term tenancy.
Other housing providers working in Greater Victoria
The CRHC develops and manages affordable housing in Greater Victoria for low- to moderate-income households. Operates subsidized and non-subsidized (market) housing.
M'akola Housing Society is the largest Indigenous affordable housing provider in British Columbia, managing over 1,600 homes serving both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Pacifica Housing owns and operates a portfolio of affordable rental housing aimed at low- and moderate-income individuals, families and persons with disabilities.
Greater Victoria Housing Society offers subsidized and non-subsidized (market) housing for a range of incomes and tenants.
Cool Aid provides a wide range of housing services including emergency shelters and transitional, supportive, seniors and subsidized housing.
Threshold Housing Society works to prevent adult homelessness by providing safe housing, support services and community to youth.
Financial assistance for renter households
BC Housing’s Rental Assistance Program provides eligible low-income, working families with help to pay their rent. Visit their website for more information on eligibility.
Greater Victoria Rent Bank offers one-time loans or grants to individuals and families who are at risk of eviction or trying to secure safe and sustainable housing. Visit their website to learn more about terms and eligibility.
Looking for services not covered here?
Dial or text 211 for a free, confidential, multilingual information and referral line to a full range of community, social and government services. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about BC 211.
Frequently Asked Questions
Landlord and tenant agreements are governed by the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA). All forms, changes to the RTA and other tenancy rules can be found on the provincial government’s website.
TRAC offers Renting it Right, a free online course about tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities. Information about your rights as a tenant during redevelopment is available on our website.
Residential tenancies in British Columbia are governed by the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) and administered by the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB). The RTB provides information and resources on all areas of residential tenancies and handles rental disputes through its formal dispute resolution process.
There are very good reasons for tenants to have tenant insurance. The building insurance that landlords carry does not protect you or your personal property in case of an accident or disaster, liability (where you are at fault for damage) and displacement if you have to evacuate your unit.
A tenancy agreement is a contract between a landlord and a tenant. To be covered under the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), an individual needs to be named as a tenant on the tenancy agreement with the landlord.
Tenants in Common
People living together that have individual tenancy agreements with the landlord for their respective shares of the unit
Covered by the Residential Tenancy Act:
Yes.
Does the RTA’s Dispute Resolution Process apply:
Yes, for issues related to the tenancy or with the landlord.
How rent is paid:
Each tenant/roommate pays rent directly to the landlord and is not responsible for the rent of the other tenant.
If a roommate moves out:
No impact on other tenants.
Who chooses a roommate:
The landlord advertises and selects a roommate. The landlord may ask for input from other tenant(s), but this is not required.
Who is responsible for the damage:
Each tenant is responsible for the cost of damage they cause.
Co-tenants
People living together have one tenancy agreement. All co-tenants are listed and have signed the agreement collectively with the landlord.
Covered by RTA:
Yes, partially.
Does the RTA’s Dispute Resolution Process apply:
Yes, partially – for issues related to the tenancy or with the landlord. Does not apply to issues between co-tenants.
How rent is paid:
Tenants decide how to split the rent cost, but all are responsible for paying the rent on time.
If a roommate moves out:
If the tenant leaving gives proper notice, the tenancy may end for the other co-tenants, even if they do not wish to leave. To stay, they may need to sign a new tenancy agreement with the landlord. If the tenant leaves without providing proper notice, the tenancy will continue, and the remaining co-tenants will be responsible for paying the full rent on time. The remaining co-tenants can request an amendment to the tenancy agreement to add a replacement roommate.
Who chooses a roommate:
Co-tenants apply together to rent the unit.
Who is responsible for damage:
All tenants are financially responsible for any damage caused by any of the co-tenants.
Occupants/Roommates
A tenant lives with roommates. One person (the tenant) has a tenancy agreement signed with the landlord for the whole unit. With the landlord’s permission, the tenant finds roommates to live with and share the rent.
Covered by RTA:
No. The tenant is covered, but roommates are not.
Does the RTA’s Dispute Resolution Process apply:
No.
How rent is paid:
The tenants pay the full rent to the landlord and collect portions of rent from roommates as per their arrangement.
If a roommate moves out:
If the tenant provides proper notice to the landlord, all roommates must also move out, too. If roommates move out, the tenant may find another roommate.
Who chooses a roommate:
Tenant advertises and selects a roommate. The tenant must ensure their tenancy agreement does not prohibit additional occupants.
Who is responsible for damage:
Tenant is responsible for damages caused by all roommates.
For concerns about your tenancy ending due to redevelopment, visit Eviction from Redevelopment: Rights and Resources page.
For concerns related to renovations or building permits for a rental building, visit the Building & Renovating page.
For concerns related to tenant rights (deposits, late fees or disputes), contact the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre or Together Against Poverty Society. Information about tenant rights is available on the RTB website.
For face-to-face legal advice for tenancy issues (eviction notices, return of security deposits, lack of service and repairs, etc.), contact the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre.
For dispute resolutions and other legal inquiries, contact the Provincial Government’s Residential Tenancy Branch.