BC Residential Tenancy Agreement (RTB-1)
Put a British Columbia residential tenancy in writing using the Residential Tenancy Branch form.
Opens a fillable version in your browser. Free, no account, and free to download. This is a helper, not the official form.
About BC Residential Tenancy Agreement (RTB-1)
The BC Residential Tenancy Agreement, form RTB-1, is the standard residential tenancy agreement from the BC Residential Tenancy Branch. It records the landlord and tenant details, the rental unit, the rent, the deposits, and the services included. It also sets out the standard terms that apply to the tenancy under the Residential Tenancy Act.
This page is a free fillable helper and a general template, not legal advice. For a British Columbia tenancy, download and use the current official RTB-1 form from the BC Residential Tenancy Branch before you sign. The standard terms of the Residential Tenancy Act apply to the tenancy even if they are not written into the agreement, and some rules and limits can change over time.
Who needs to complete it
- Landlords renting out a residential unit in British Columbia.
- Tenants who want a written record of the rent, deposits, and terms.
- Property managers preparing a tenancy agreement for an owner.
- Roommates or co-tenants who need their names and shares set out clearly.
How to fill out BC Residential Tenancy Agreement (RTB-1)
- 1Enter the legal names and contact details of the landlord and every tenant on the agreement.
- 2Write the full address of the rental unit, including any unit or site number and the postal code.
- 3Choose whether the tenancy is a fixed term or month to month, and set the start date and, for a fixed term, the end date and what happens after it.
- 4Set the rent amount, the day of the month it is due, and the accepted ways to pay.
- 5List which services and utilities are included in the rent, such as heat, electricity, water, laundry, or parking.
- 6Record the security deposit and, if pets are allowed, any pet damage deposit, keeping in mind the limits set under the Residential Tenancy Act.
- 7Note any lawful terms about pets, smoking, or occupants, and complete a condition inspection report at move in and move out.
- 8Read the standard terms included with the form, which apply to the tenancy whether or not they are filled in.
- 9Add any additional terms in the space provided, making sure they follow the Residential Tenancy Act, since terms that break the law are not enforceable.
- 10Have the landlord and each tenant sign and date the agreement, and give the tenant a copy within the time the Act requires.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use the RTB-1 form?
You are not required to use the RTB-1 form itself, but the standard terms under the Residential Tenancy Act apply to your tenancy no matter what agreement you use. The RTB-1 is the standard form and is the simplest way to cover everything the Act expects.
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
BC deposits are capped by law. The security deposit and any pet damage deposit each have a limit set under the Residential Tenancy Act, and the landlord must handle and return them as the Act requires. Confirm the current limit before you pay.
Can a landlord charge a pet deposit?
Yes, if pets are allowed, a landlord may collect a pet damage deposit. It is separate from the security deposit and is limited by the Residential Tenancy Act. It cannot be used for ordinary wear and tear.
Do we need a condition inspection report?
Yes. The landlord and tenant should complete a condition inspection report together at move in and move out. It protects both sides if there is a later dispute about the deposit or the state of the unit.
Can the landlord add extra terms?
Yes, in the space provided, but any added term must follow the Residential Tenancy Act. A term that removes a right the Act gives a tenant, or that adds an unlawful charge, cannot be enforced.
Is this the official BC form?
No, this page is a general helper. Download and use the current official RTB-1 from the BC Residential Tenancy Branch before you sign, since the form and the rules can change.