Renters' Hub

People living together have individual tenancy agreement with landlord for their share of the unit.

Covered by Residential Tenancy Act:
 Yes.

Does RTA’s Dispute Resolution Process apply:  
Yes – for issues related to the tenancy or with landlord.

How rent is paid: 
Each tenant/roommate pays rent directly to landlord and is not responsible for the other tenant.

If a roommate moves out? 
No impact on other tenants. 

Who chooses a roommate:
Landlord advertises and selects roommate. Landlord may ask for input from other tenant(s), but this is not required.

Who is responsible for damage:
Each tenant is responsible for cost of damage they cause. 
 

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 RTA’s Dispute Resolution Process apply:
Yes, partially – for issues related to the tenancy or with landlord. Does not apply for issues between  co-tenants.

How rent is paid: 
Tenants decide how to split the cost of the rent, but all are responsible for paying the rent on time. 

If a roommate moves out:
If the tenant leaving gives proper notice, the tenancy will end for the other co-tenants, even if they do not wish to leave. To stay, they will need to sign a new tenancy agreement with landlord. If tenant leaves without proper notice, the tenancy will continue and remaining co-tenants will be responsible for paying the full rent on time. The remaining co-tenants can request an amendment to 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 damage caused by any of the co-tenants.
 

A tenant lives with roommates. One person (tenant) has a tenancy agreement signed with landlord for whole unit. With the landlord’s permission, the tenant finds roommates to live with and share the rent.

Covered by RTA:
No (Tenant is covered but roommates are not).

Does RTA’s Dispute Resolution Process apply: 
No.

How rent is paid:
Tenant pays the full rent to landlord and collects portions of rent from roommates as per their arrangement.

If a roommate moves out:
If tenant gives proper notice to the landlord, all roommates must move out too. If roommates move out, the tenant may find another roommate.

Who chooses a roommate:
Tenant advertises and selects roommate. 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.
 

Website provides basic and clear information about tenancy, income assistance, disability benefits (provincial and federal) and other income supports. Has videos, FAQs, fact sheets, and links to other services and resources. Learn more about Askanadvocate.ca by SOURCES. 

The Residential Tenancy Branch provides tenants and landlords with information and dispute resolution services. Call 250.387.1602 or Learn more about the Residential Tenancy Branch. 

TAPS is one of the largest providers of free, face-to-face legal advocacy for people with income assistance, disability benefits, and tenancy issues in Victoria. Provides legal education and representation, helping tenants to navigate Residential Tenancy Branch hearings. Call 250.361.3521 or Learn more about TAPS. 

TRAC educates individual and community organizations about Residential Tenancy Law, promotes tenants’ legal rights and affordable housing in BC. Some legal representation is available. Provides videos & publications in 21 languages. Call 1.800.665.1185 or Learn more about Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre. 

Subsidized housing is rental housing where rent is calculated to be no more than 30% 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 applying to Housing Registry.  

Helps make rents affordable for BC seniors with low to moderate incomes. Provides monthly payments to subsidize rents for eligible BC residents aged 60 or over and who pay rent for their homes. Call 604.433.2218 or Learn more about SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters). 

Provides eligible low-income, working families with help to pay their rent. To qualify, families must have a gross household income of $40,000 or less, at least one dependent child, and employed at some point over the last year.  Call 1.800.257.7756 or Learn more about the Rental Assistance Program. 

Offers one-time loans or grants to individuals and families who are at risk of eviction for reasons such as non-payment of rent or essential utilities. The loan can also be used as a damage deposit and/or first month’s rent to move to safe and sustainable housing. Eligibility criteria including having a steady source of income to repay the loan. Call 250.383.6166 or Learn more about the Greater Victoria Rent Bank. 

The Law Centre is a free poverty law clinic which provides legal representation in the areas of residential tenancy, human rights, family (limited), criminal and other civil matters to individuals in Greater Victoria. The Law Centre is located at 225-850 Burdett Avenue. Intakes are by appointment and can be booked by calling 250.385.1221.  Learn more about the Law Centre here.