Tenancy guide

British Columbia: Rental Inspection and Deposit Rules

BC requires the landlord and tenant to inspect the unit together at move-in and at move-out, and the landlord must complete a condition inspection report.

Last reviewed October 19, 2026

Governing law
Residential Tenancy Act
Where disputes are heard
Residential Tenancy Branch

Deposits

  • A security deposit can be at most half of one month’s rent. A pet damage deposit, if any, can also be at most half of one month’s rent.
  • Within 15 days after the later of the end of the tenancy and the day the landlord receives your forwarding address in writing, the landlord must either return your deposits with any interest owed, or apply for dispute resolution to keep some of it. A landlord who does neither must pay you double the deposit.

Inspections and the unit’s condition

  • The landlord must offer you at least two opportunities to do each inspection.
  • Both of you sign the condition inspection report. The landlord must give you a copy within 7 days of the move-in inspection, and within 15 days of the later of the move-out inspection and receiving your forwarding address in writing.
  • If the landlord doesn’t offer the inspections or complete the report, the landlord loses the right to claim against your deposits for damage. If you don’t take part after two offered opportunities, you lose the right to have your deposits returned.

Disputes

  • In a dispute, the signed condition inspection report is evidence of the unit’s condition unless either side has a preponderance of evidence to the contrary. Your dated photos can be that evidence.
  • Deposit and damage disputes are decided through the Residential Tenancy Branch’s dispute resolution process.

How LeaseWit helps

  • Your LeaseWit report does not replace the official condition inspection report. Do the inspection with your landlord, and use LeaseWit to keep your own dated photos of every room.
  • If you disagree with something in the official report, your photos help you show it.
  • Compare move-in and move-out side by side to show what changed, and what didn’t.
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