🍁 For rentals in British Columbia, Canada
Everything a BC tenant needs before moving in
A simple checklist for renters in British Columbia: your lease, deposit, move-in inspection, utilities, insurance, and knowing your rights.
An independent BC resource — not affiliated with the government.
Free, with official links.
Tenant checklist: before you move in
🖨 Print this checklistEleven steps to a smooth move-in, from viewing to day one. Check them off as you go.
Before you sign
Always view the unit (or take a live video tour) before signing anything or sending money. Never pay a deposit for a place you have not seen — "pay first, view later" is the most common BC rental scam.
What to check at the viewing
- Run the shower and taps — water pressure and hot water
- Check your cell signal in every room
- Look for mold or damp: closets, window sills, bathroom fan
- Windows, locks and the deadbolt all work
- Heating type — and who pays for heat and hydro
- Laundry: in-suite, shared (cost?), or none
- Listen for noise: traffic, neighbours — visit at a second time of day if you can
- Parking and storage: included or extra?
- Test the appliances: stove burners, fridge, oven
- Meet the landlord or manager — who do you call for repairs?
Read every term before signing. BC has a standard agreement (RTB-1), and certain terms are required by law no matter what the document says.
Add it up before you commit: first month of rent, security deposit (half a month), pet deposit if any, building move-in fee, movers, and utility setup. Knowing the real number prevents day-one surprises.
Calculate my move-in cost
- First month’s rent
- —
- Security deposit (max ½ month)
- —
- Pet deposit (max ½ month)
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- Total due around move-in
- —
By law, deposits are capped at half a month’s rent each. A landlord cannot ask for more.
🔒 Nothing you type is stored or collected — the math happens in your browser and never leaves it.
Signing a place soon?
Create a free tenant account. Read every term in plain language before you agree to anything, sign from your phone, keep the signed copy, and get a move-in checklist built from your actual agreement.
Create a free tenant accountTenants pay nothing, ever.
Landlord hasn’t sent you anything yet? Invite them from your account.
Before move-in day
Condo and strata buildings often require elevator bookings, move-in forms, a move-in fee or deposit, proof of insurance, and fob/key sign-out. Ask the landlord or building manager a week ahead.
Open or move your electricity account before move-in day so the power is in your name from day one. Check whether gas, internet, and water are separate.
See BC providers
Electricity & gas
- BC HydroMost of BCNew serviceMove service
- FortisBCSouthern Interior + gas province-wideNew serviceMove service
Internet & TV
- NovusMetro VancouverNew serviceMove service
- TELUSNew serviceMove service
- Rogersformerly ShawNew serviceMove service
- BellNew service
Your landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings. Tenant insurance is inexpensive and many landlords require proof of it before move-in.
Square One is the one we’d pick ourselves — and they pay us a small commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. The other options are here because it’s worth getting more than one quote. look them up without our link ↗
See BC providers
Tenant insurance
- Square OneGet a quote
- BCAAGet a quote
- DuuoGet a quote
Square One is the one we’d pick ourselves — and they pay us a small commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. The other options are here because it’s worth getting more than one quote. look them up without our link ↗
Agree on how rent is paid (e-transfer, pre-authorized debit, cheques) and set it up before the first of the month. Keep every receipt or confirmation — they matter in disputes.
Forward mail from your old address with Canada Post so you never miss tax slips, renewals, or government letters.
Use BC’s one-stop service for your driver’s licence, MSP, and other provincial records. Then update it where the province can’t: your bank, credit cards, and employer, so statements and pay keep reaching you.
Move-in day & after
Do the walkthrough with your landlord and make sure existing damage is written into the Condition Inspection Report. It protects your deposit when you move out.
On move-in day, photograph the hydro/gas meters and every room with timestamps. Together with the inspection report, this is the evidence that protects your deposit.
Ending a tenancy instead? Notice rules, the final inspection and deposit return →
Checklist complete — well done! 🎉
You’ve set yourself up for a smooth tenancy — organized, protected, and ready for day one. Most renters never get this far.
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From checklist to signed lease
LeaseSimple is a guided online flow for BC renters — understand your lease, document your move-in, and keep everything in one place, free.
- Review the agreement in plain language before you sign it
- Sign electronically — no printer or scanner needed
- A move-in checklist built from your actual agreement
- Move-in photos and files, shared safely with your landlord
- Reminders for rent and deposit dates
- Your rights, explained in plain English
Never fill another BC tenancy PDF
Build your BC lease online — the official RTB-1, filled in for you and e-signed on any phone. Free to build and download; your tenant pays $0.
Build your BC leaseAll guides
- Deposit not returned in BC: what actually works
- Eviction notices in BC: deadlines and your real options
- Is your BC rent increase illegal? Check, then act
- The BC landlord checklist: forms and steps
- What you can (and cannot) expense as a BC landlord
- The BC move-in inspection (RTB-27), step by step
- Move-out notice in BC: tenant and landlord rules
- BC rent increase rules: the 2026 guide
- The BC Residential Tenancy Agreement, explained
- BC security deposit rules, explained
- The BC tenant checklist: before you move in