Renting in a strata: tenant rights and responsibilities in BC

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

Before you rent

Before renting all or part of a residential strata lot, your landlord must give you:

• the current bylaws and rules, and
• a Notice of Tenant's Responsibilities (Form K) to sign (section 146).

If the landlord does not, you are still bound by the bylaws and rules, but you may end the tenancy without penalty by giving notice within 90 days of learning of the failure, and the landlord must pay your reasonable moving expenses up to one month's rent. See Form K.

Read the bylaws before you sign a lease. Pets, smoking, move-in fees, parking, short-term guests and age restrictions are all in there, and your tenancy agreement cannot override them.

Bylaws and rules apply to you

The Standard Bylaws and most strata bylaws are addressed to "an owner, tenant, occupant or visitor". You must not cause a nuisance or unreasonable noise, must keep pets within the limits, must allow authorized entry on proper notice, and must follow rules for common areas. You are answerable for your visitors and for other occupants of the unit.

The strata cannot screen you, require council's approval of you, or require particular terms in your tenancy agreement (section 141). On request, you must tell the strata your name (Standard Bylaw 4).

Fines and your rights

The strata may fine a tenant for a contravention by the tenant, the tenant's visitors, or an occupant (section 130). Before it does, it must:

• have received a complaint,
• give you the particulars in writing and a reasonable opportunity to answer, including a hearing if you request one, and
• give notice of the complaint to your landlord and the owner (section 135).

It must then give written notice of its decision. The strata may collect your fine from you, your landlord or the owner, and if they pay, you owe them the amount (section 131). So an unpaid strata fine can become a dispute with your landlord. See strata fines and how to dispute one.

Information you can get

• Bylaws and rules. Any tenant may ask the strata for them, and the strata must provide them within one week (section 36).
• Other records, such as minutes and financial statements, only if your landlord has assigned you the right to inspect records, or with the owner's written authorization.
• Your own personal information held by the strata, under the Personal Information Protection Act.
• New rules and bylaw amendments. The strata must inform owners and tenants as soon as feasible.

Meetings and hearings

• General meetings. Under Standard Bylaw 26, tenants and occupants may attend annual and special general meetings whether or not they can vote, may speak if the chair permits, and must leave if the meeting so resolves by majority.
• Council meetings. The Standard Bylaws give the right to observe to owners, not tenants.
• Hearings. A tenant may request a hearing at a council meeting in writing, and council must hold it within four weeks (section 34.1).
• The tribunal. A tenant may bring a strata dispute to the Civil Resolution Tribunal, generally after requesting a hearing (section 189.1).

Assigned rights: voting and council

A landlord may assign to a tenant some or all of the landlord's powers and duties under the Act, bylaws and rules, such as the right to vote, to stand for council and to inspect records (section 147). It takes effect when the landlord gives the strata written notice naming the tenant, the powers assigned and the period. A tenant under a lease of three years or more is assigned those powers automatically for the term, once the tenant gives the strata written notice (section 148). Responsibility for fines and remediation costs cannot be assigned away from the landlord.

Repairs and problems

• Inside the unit: ask your landlord. The landlord's duties are under the Residential Tenancy Act.
• Common property (leaks from above, broken entry doors, elevators): report to your landlord and to the strata manager. The strata's duty to repair is owed under the Act, and your landlord can press it.
• Other residents' behaviour: you may complain to the strata in writing like any resident. See filing a bylaw complaint.

Eviction for bylaw contraventions

A repeated or continuing contravention of a reasonable and significant bylaw or rule by a tenant of a residential strata lot allows the landlord to give notice to end the tenancy for cause (section 137). Where the contravention seriously interferes with another person's use and enjoyment, the strata corporation itself may give the tenant notice terminating the tenancy under the Residential Tenancy Act (section 138). The tenant can dispute the notice through the Residential Tenancy Branch.

Fees

Strata fees and special levies are the owner's responsibility. A strata may charge reasonable user fees set out in a bylaw or ratified rule, such as a move-in fee, to whoever uses the facility. A fee aimed only at tenants is open to challenge. See move-in fees.

Questions councils and owners ask

Do tenants have to follow strata bylaws in BC?

Yes. Tenants are bound by the bylaws and rules, whether or not the landlord gave them a copy.

Can the strata fine a tenant?

Yes, after giving the tenant written particulars and an opportunity to answer, and notifying the landlord and owner.

Can a tenant attend the strata AGM?

Yes, under the Standard Bylaws, though only to vote if the landlord's voting right has been assigned.

Can the strata evict a tenant?

For a repeated or continuing contravention of a reasonable and significant bylaw that seriously interferes with others, the strata may give notice to end the tenancy.

Can a tenant get the strata bylaws from the strata?

Yes, within one week of a request.

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
Landlord Responsibilities
Rental Bylaws
Strata Fines
Who Can Attend an AGM
Getting Strata Bylaws