Renting out a strata lot: what BC landlords must do

Last reviewed November 10, 2026, against the current Strata Property Act, Strata Property Regulation and Standard Bylaws on BC Laws.

Your right to rent

The strata corporation must not screen tenants, set screening criteria, require approval of tenants, require terms in tenancy agreements or otherwise restrict the rental of a strata lot (section 141). Old rental limit bylaws are unenforceable. Three limits remain:

• Short-term accommodation such as vacation rentals may be prohibited or limited by bylaw, with fines up to $1,000 a day. See short-term rental bylaws.
• Age restriction bylaws (55 and over) apply to tenants.
• All other bylaws apply to your tenant: pets, smoking, noise, parking, moves.

Check the bylaws before advertising, so the tenancy agreement does not promise something the strata prohibits.

The landlord's checklist

1. Before the tenancy: give the prospective tenant the current bylaws and rules, and a Notice of Tenant's Responsibilities (Form K).
2. Have the tenant sign the Form K.
3. Within two weeks of renting: give the strata a copy of the signed Form K.
4. Give the strata your mailing address outside the strata plan, and an email address for notices if you wish.
5. Tell the tenant the practical rules: move-in booking and any fee, parking, garbage, fobs.
6. Tell your insurer the unit is rented.
7. Update the strata when the tenant changes, with a new Form K each time.

If you skip the Form K

The tenant is still bound by the bylaws and rules. But the tenant may, within 90 days of learning of your failure to give the bylaws and Form K or to return it to the strata, end the tenancy without penalty, and you must pay the tenant's reasonable moving expenses up to one month's rent (section 146). A strata may also treat the failure as a bylaw matter if its bylaws so provide. See Form K.

You answer for your tenant

• The strata may fine the tenant for contraventions by the tenant, the tenant's visitors and occupants.
• It must give you and the owner notice of the complaint before fining the tenant (section 135). Read those letters. They are your early warning.
• It may collect the fine or the cost of remedying a contravention from the tenant, the landlord or the owner, up to the total. If you pay, the tenant owes you the amount (section 131).
• This responsibility cannot be assigned to the tenant.
• If your tenant causes an insured loss, the strata may seek the insurance deductible from you as the owner responsible. See insurance deductibles.

Put a clause in the tenancy agreement requiring the tenant to comply with the bylaws and reimburse fines and costs, and require tenant insurance.

Ending a tenancy over bylaw problems

A repeated or continuing contravention of a reasonable and significant bylaw or rule by a tenant of a residential strata lot allows you to give notice to end the tenancy for cause under the Residential Tenancy Act (section 137). In serious cases the strata itself can give that notice (section 138). Keep the strata's letters as your evidence.

Fees, levies and voting

• Strata fees and special levies remain yours. You cannot pass a mid-tenancy increase to the tenant outside the rent increase rules.
• You keep your vote and your right to stand for council unless you assign them.
• Notices go to the address you give. A notice mailed to an out-of-date address still counts as given. See giving notice to owners.
• Minutes. Council must inform owners of council minutes within two weeks. Make sure you are on the email list.

Assigning your rights to the tenant

You may assign some or all of your powers and duties under the Act to your tenant, such as voting, standing for council or inspecting records, by written notice to the strata naming the tenant, the powers and the period (section 147). A lease of three years or more assigns them automatically for the term, once the tenant notifies the strata (section 148). Think carefully before doing so: a tenant with your vote decides your levies.

Insurance

An owner-occupier policy may not cover a rented unit. A landlord policy should cover improvements, loss of rental income, liability, and strata deductible and loss assessments. Give your broker the strata's current deductibles. See owner insurance.

Other laws

The Residential Tenancy Act governs your relationship with the tenant: deposits, rent increases, entry, repairs and ending the tenancy. Provincial and municipal rules may also apply to vacant homes and to short-term rentals. Those are outside the strata's control and yours to follow.

Questions councils and owners ask

Do I need strata permission to rent my unit in BC?

No. A strata corporation cannot restrict long-term rentals or require approval of tenants.

What must I give my tenant?

The current bylaws and rules, and a Form K to sign, before the tenancy begins.

When must the Form K go to the strata?

Within two weeks of renting.

Am I responsible for my tenant's strata fines?

The strata may collect them from the tenant, the landlord or the owner. The tenant then owes you what you paid.

Can I pass special levies on to my tenant?

No. Levies are owed by the owner.

This page is general information for BC strata corporations, not legal advice. Your strata's own filed bylaws may differ from the Standard Bylaws. See the current text of the Strata Property Act and the Strata Property Regulation on BC Laws.

Related guides

Form K
Tenant Rights
Rental Bylaws
Short-Term Rental Bylaws
Owner Insurance
Giving Notice to Owners