Vancouver Landlord Repair Laws All Tenants Should Know

The heat cuts out in January. Your shower runs cold for a week. A leaking ceiling drips over your bed while your landlord promises to “look into it.” For thousands of Vancouver renters, these problems are more than frustration.

They are clear breaches of safety under Vancouver landlord repair laws. Knowing exactly what your landlord must fix, how fast, and what to do when they ignore repair requests can be the difference between living safely and being left in the cold.

Understanding Vancouver Landlord Repair Laws

Under the Residential Tenancy Act of British Columbia, landlords must keep rental homes in good repair and meet health, safety, and housing standards. That includes working heat, hot water, secure locks, and safe wiring, regardless of what the lease says.

The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) enforces these rules, and Policy Guideline 1 defines the standard used in disputes. The Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC) explains that a livable home must remain structurally sound, clean, and weatherproof. These laws recognise that broken heating or faulty locks are not cosmetic problems but direct safety issues.

What Vancouver Landlords Are Required to Fix by Law

A landlord can postpone cosmetic upgrades but never essential repairs that protect a tenant’s health or safety.

Under BC landlord maintenance laws, these areas must be properly maintained.

1. Heating and Hot Water

Every Vancouver rental must have reliable heat and hot water. If either fails, it becomes a legal breach under the Residential Tenancy Act. Lack of heat during winter is treated as an urgent health and safety issue.

2. Plumbing and Drainage

Leaking pipes, sewage backups, or non-functioning drains are considered essential repairs. Water damage and mould can lead to serious health and structural problems if ignored.

3. Electrical Safety

Landlords are required to ensure outlets, wiring, and lighting are functional and safe. Faulty electrical systems pose significant fire and safety hazards.

4. Locks, Doors, and Windows

Tenants have the right to secure locks and properly closing doors and windows. A broken lock or jammed entryway compromises personal safety, especially for those living alone.

5. Roofs, Walls, and Structural Integrity

Cracked walls, leaks, or structural decay must be repaired promptly. Structural neglect can turn minor damage into serious hazards that violate BC housing standards.

6. Pest Infestations and Mould

When pests or mould arise from building conditions rather than tenant behaviour, the landlord is responsible for cleanup and prevention. The law requires all rental units to remain sanitary and safe for occupants.

These obligations form part of rental property repair obligations BC legislation. High costs or contractor delays do not excuse failure to comply with repair duties.

What Tenants Are Responsible For

Tenants must maintain reasonable cleanliness and report problems quickly. Damage caused by misuse or negligence must be repaired at the tenant’s expense, but normal wear and tear such as fading paint or worn flooring is never their responsibility.

Reporting issues in writing protects both sides. A record of requests, receipts, and photos creates a clear timeline if a dispute arises.

How Long Landlords Have to Make Repairs

The law requires landlords to act within a reasonable time, which varies by urgency.

Urgent Repairs

Heating, hot water, and electrical failures should be fixed within 24 to 48 hours. These affect health and safety directly, particularly during cold Vancouver weather.

Moderate Repairs

Leaks, drafts, or broken windows should be resolved within several days. Though not immediately dangerous, these problems can worsen quickly.

Minor Repairs

Cosmetic issues like paint or cabinetry can take a few weeks. However, repeated delays or inaction can still breach the landlord’s duty to maintain livability.

Many renters describe waiting weeks for help, enduring cold nights or unsafe conditions. Prolonged delays create stress and fear, especially for women living alone. The law exists to prevent those experiences.

What to Do If Your Landlord Will Not Fix Something

Start with a clear written request explaining the problem and setting a reasonable deadline. Keep copies of emails, photos, and receipts. If the landlord still fails to act, tenants can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) for a repair order or compensation.

Withholding rent without following the correct repairs and maintenance rules Vancouver recognises can lead to eviction. Always follow the official process and document everything.

If conditions pose safety risks, renters can also contact Vancouver’s Property Use Inspection Branch or reach out to TRAC for guidance.

Emergency Repairs and When You Can Act Yourself

An emergency repair is one that directly affects health or safety such as a burst pipe, serious leak, or broken exterior lock.

Tenants must attempt to contact their landlord twice and allow a reasonable time for response. If there is no reply, they can arrange the repair, pay for it, and seek reimbursement or deduct the cost from rent.

Keeping receipts and records is essential. The work must be necessary, reasonably priced, and completed safely. Following this process ensures tenants remain protected under Vancouver housing repair requirements.

When Landlords Fail to Comply with Repair Orders

If a landlord ignores an RTB order, tenants can end their tenancy under section 47 of the Residential Tenancy Act or apply to the courts for enforcement. The RTB can issue rent reductions or award financial compensation.

In 2025, a Vancouver renter received $7,735 in compensation after months of living with sewage leaks. The RTB ruled the unit unfit for occupancy and ordered damages, showing that strong documentation and persistence pay off.

Where Vancouver Tenants Can Get Help

1. Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)

Provides legal education, repair request templates, and a tenant hotline. A leading authority on Vancouver tenant repair rights.

2. Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB)

Handles dispute resolution and enforces BC landlord maintenance laws. Their online portal allows tenants to submit claims quickly and track updates.

3. Vancouver Tenants Union

Offers advocacy and community support for renters experiencing unsafe or neglected housing conditions.

4. Legal Aid BC

Provides free legal guidance to low-income tenants facing urgent repair or eviction issues.

Understanding Vancouver landlord repair laws is about more than maintenance. It is about protecting your safety, dignity, and right to live securely in your home. When tenants know their rights, they strengthen not only their own position but the entire community of renters across the city.

Common Questions About Vancouver Landlord Repair Laws

What repairs are landlords legally responsible for in Vancouver?

Landlords must maintain heat, hot water, plumbing, electricity, locks, and structural safety. They must also fix issues that make a home unsafe or unsanitary, such as leaks, pests, or mould.

How long does a landlord have to fix something in BC?

Repairs must be completed within a reasonable time based on urgency. Essential services like heat or water should be fixed within 24 to 48 hours.

Can I withhold rent if my landlord refuses repairs?

Not without following proper steps. You must request repairs in writing and, if ignored, apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for an order or permission to deduct costs.

What counts as an emergency repair?

Emergencies are repairs needed for health or safety, such as broken heating, flooding, electrical failures, or damaged locks that affect security.

Who pays for repairs caused by normal wear and tear?

The landlord is responsible for wear and tear such as faded paint or worn flooring. Tenants only pay for damage they or their guests cause.

Can a tenant end a lease if repairs are not done?

Yes. If a landlord ignores repair orders or fails to keep the home livable, a tenant can apply to the RTB to end the tenancy for cause.

What should I do if my rental has serious safety hazards?

Document the problem, contact your landlord immediately, and file a complaint with the Residential Tenancy Branch or Vancouver’s Property Use Inspection Branch if conditions remain unsafe.