New to the rental housing market?

Welcome to your ultimate guide for first-time renters in British Columbia, Canada.

Read our first time renting tips and learn how to:

Determine Your Needs & Budget
Find a Rental Property & Apply
Know Your Rights & Obligations

With our practical advice for first time apartment renters, you’ll manage the entire process like a pro!

Table of Contents

Assess Your Needs

First, take a close look at your needs and priorities.

Is it important for you to be close to work, school, or entertainment?

Do you need a pet-friendly rental?

Start by making a list of your must-haves:

Location: Proximity to work, school, or public transit
Floorplan: Number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square feet
Type of Housing: Apartment, townhouse, or basement suite
Amenities: In-unit laundry, dishwasher, secure parking, or pet-friendly policies

Knowing what you want will help narrow down your options and find a place that suits your lifestyle.

Stay Within Your Budget

Budgeting and managing your own finances are the keys to being a responsible tenant.

Before you start your search, determine how much rent you can afford. A common guideline is to allocate no more than 30% of your monthly income to rent.

For instance, if you earn $5,000 per month, aim to keep your rent around $1,500.

Remember to factor in costs like utilities, internet, groceries and transportation to avoid any financial surprises.

If living on your own is financially out of reach, consider a co-living agreement with a friend, colleague, or peer.

Not sure what your budget will get you? Check our page on Average Rents in Kelowna.

Start Your Search

Once you know what you want, and what you can afford, you can begin your home search.

British Columbia’s rental market is very competitive, so use a variety of resources to stay ahead.

Online rental listing sites like PropertyManagementKelowna.com (that’s our brand in Kelowna) are generally the best places to find rental properties in BC.

Online Platforms: Rental listing websites like Craigslist, Kijiji, and Padmapper are popular in Canada. If you live in Kelowna, BC, browse our inventory of Okanagan rental properties here.
Property Managers: Some property management companies don’t display all of their available properties online, so try picking up the phone and calling to ask what’s available for the start of the next month, or the following month.
Word of Mouth: Let friends, family, and colleagues know you’re searching; they might have leads through friends or family.
Community Boards: In smaller towns, you can check local newspapers, coffee shops or community centers for postings.

In Kelowna, BC, we see the highest availability for rental listings during the spring and summer months.

Note: Be vigilant about potential rental scams — especially with landlords who ask you for a deposit before you get a chance to visit the property. Before signing a lease, meet the landlord at the property, and avoid sending money electronically.

Viewing Rental Properties in BC

What to look for when apartment hunting

When you find a rental that interests you, schedule a viewing with the landlord. This is your chance to evaluate the property in person and ask questions.

Pay attention to the condition of the property, the neighborhood, and any potential red flags with the landlord.

Property Condition

Appliances: Test all appliances (stove, fridge, dishwasher, etc.) for functionality.
Plumbing: Check the faucets, showerheads and toilets for leaks, good water pressure, and drainage. Also check under kitchen and bathroom sinks for signs of leakage or poor plumbing.
Electrical: Test outlets, light switches, and ensure the circuit breaker is labeled.
Heating/Cooling: Confirm the HVAC system works properly and ask about the most recent maintenance.
Walls and Ceilings: Inspect for cracks, water stains, or signs of mold.
Pests: Look for evidence of pests, like droppings, holes, or traps.
Windows and Doors: Look for proper insulation seals, functionality, and security features (e.g., working locks).
Smoke Detectors/CO Detectors: Confirm they are installed and functional.
Common Areas: Cracked ceilings, dirty hallways, and broken amenities are all signs of a lack of care.
Security: Evaluate the locks on doors and windows, and check for additional safety features (e.g., peepholes, deadbolts, security cameras).

Not sure what to look for in a rental? Read our guide: 33 Apartment Hunting Tips

The Neighborhood

Tour the neighborhood you’re considering to know what your daily life will be like there.

Neighborhood Safety: Research crime rates and walk around the area at different times of the day.
Noise Levels: Visit during the day and evening, or on a weekend, to assess noise from neighbors, traffic, or nearby establishments.
Proximity to Essentials: Make sure you have nearby access to grocery stores, transit, schools, or your workplace.

The Landlord

Remember that every landlord is unique, and not always in a good way. First, try asking other tenants about their experiences or read online reviews.

When you ask questions, notice how quickly the landlord responds to your concerns. A good landlord should be professional, accessible and prompt.

Beware of landlords who provide vague lease terms or refuse to sign a written lease. Any landlord who avoids using formal documentation for agreements, payments, or maintenance requests is a massive red flag.

Prepare a Strong Rental Application

In British Columbia’s competitive rental market, standing out as a tenant is crucial.

Here’s what you should have ready for your rental application:

Photo Identification: A government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
References: Previous landlords, employers, or character references who can vouch for you.
Proof of Income: Pay stubs or employment letters that prove you can afford the rent. If you’re self-employed, provide bank statements or a Notice of Assessment from the CRA.
Credit Check: Some landlords may ask to check your credit history. You can get a free copy from Equifax or TransUnion.

Some applicants include a rental cover letter and rental resume to personalize the application and reassure landlords of their financial responsibility.

Landlords often aim to fill their rental suites fast, so having these documents ready during your viewing can expedite the application process and give you a leg up on the competition.

Security Deposit Rules

Landlords can charge up to half of one month’s rent as a security deposit at the beginning of the tenancy. If you bring a pet along, your landlord can charge an additional one month’s rent as a pet deposit.

At the end of tenancy, your landlord has to return your deposit, unless they have permission to keep your deposit due to damages beyond normal “wear and tear”.

Learn more about Damage Deposit Rules in BC, Canada.

Renters Insurance

While tenant insurance isn’t mandatory in BC, many landlords make it a condition of signing the lease — especially in multi-unit properties like apartment buildings.

Tenant insurance typically costs $300 to $400 per year, per tenant, and covers against risks like theft, fire, water damage, and liability.

If you accidentally cause damage to the property or harm to others (e.g., a kitchen fire or a visitor’s injury), renters insurance protects your personal belongings and makes sure you’re not financially burdened in unexpected situations.

The Residential Tenancy Agreement (RTA)

In BC, a Residential Tenancy Agreement (RTA) is a standardized legal contract between you and the landlord. You can download the RTB-1 form (PDF) directly from the BC Government website.

Your completed contract should include:

Rent Amount and Due Date
Security Deposit Details
Term of Tenancy: Fixed-term or month-to-month.
Responsibilities: Maintenance duties and rules about pets or smoking.

Before signing a lease, make sure you understand all the terms & conditions and ask for clarification if anything is unclear.

Your Responsibilities Under the RTA

Maintain Cleanliness: You’re responsible for keeping the rental unit clean and in good condition.
Report Maintenance Issues: Report any repairs or maintenance issues to the landlord to prevent further damage or safety hazards.
Respect Quiet Hours: Tenants should be mindful of noise levels and respect designated quiet hours (usually 11pm to 7am) to avoid disturbing other tenants and neighbors.
No Subletting Without Permission: You can’t sublet a rental unit or assign the tenancy without the landlord’s written consent.
Paying Rent on Time: Tenants must pay their rent in full and on time as outlined in their tenancy agreement.

Learn more about Landlord vs Tenant Responsibilities in BC

Your Rights Under the RTA

Here are some of your basic rights as a tenant that you should know before moving in:

Right to Quiet Enjoyment: Tenants have the right to live peacefully in their rental unit without unnecessary disturbances from others — including other tenants in neighboring units.
Right to Privacy: Landlords must provide at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering a rental unit, except in emergencies.
Repairs & Maintenance: Landlords are responsible for maintaining the rental unit in a state of repair that meets health, safety, and housing standards.
Right to Protection from Illegal Lockouts: Landlords cannot lock tenants out of their rental unit or physically remove them.
Right to Security Deposit Return: Landlords must return the security deposit within 15 days of the end of the tenancy, provided the tenant has provided a forwarding address.

Rules on Rent Increases

In BC, your landlord can only increase the rental rate by a certain amount every year, which is mandated by the Residential Tenancy Branch.

The annual allowable rent increase for 2025 in BC is 3%, and was 3.5% in 2024. Before increasing rent, landlords must provide you with at least three months’ notice to tenants.

Disputes & Resolution

If you experience any disagreements with your landlord due to repairs, owed rent, or visits without notice, try to resolve them amicably first.

If that doesn’t work, you can seek help from the Residential Tenancy Branch. When the rules are in your favor, the RTB can help protect you from unprofessional or downright bad landlords.

Either the tenant or landlord can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for dispute resolution.

Ending Your Tenancy

When it’s time to move and end your tenancy, you need to give proper notice, thoroughly clean the property, and take photos of the condition before you leave.

For month-to-month agreements, you need to provide at least one month’s notice.

If you fail to provide adequate notice to your landlord, you can be held legally liable for paying rent until the end of the tenancy.

In some cases, tenants can end a lease early without penalty, such as if there’s a significant breach of the agreement by the landlord (e.g., failure to provide a habitable space).

Conclusion

Renting for the first time can be a bit overwhelming, but with the right attitude and preparation, it can be a fun and exciting adventure — especially if you’re moving out on your own as an adult for the first time.

Further resources worth checking out…

BC Housing Tenant Handbook
Tenant Survival Guide | Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre – TRAC

Happy renting!

First-Time Renters Guide for Tenants in British Columbia