Finding the right tenants for your rental property is one of the most important parts of being a landlord.

The quality of your tenants can make or break your rental experience — finding the right ones isn’t just about luck; it’s about strategy.

Good tenants pay rent on time, respect your property, don’t cause nuisance, and uphold their end of the lease agreement.

Between 2016 and 2021, 10.5% of renter households in British Columbia reported being evicted, which is nearly double the national average of 5.9% — highlighting the need to find great tenants in our province.

Read on to learn how to find great tenants for your rental property in BC, Canada.

What Makes a Good Tenant?

A good tenant is someone who demonstrates reliability, responsibility, and respect for the property and lease terms. Here are the key qualities of a good tenant:

Timely Rent Payments: A good tenant consistently pays rent on time without requiring reminders, follow-ups, or eviction notices. Check their credit history and confirm income stability with pay stubs or bank statements.
Respect for the Property: They take care of the rental unit, report maintenance issues promptly, and avoid causing unnecessary damage.
Clear Communication: Open and respectful communication is essential, especially when discussing lease terms, repairs, or other concerns.
Stable Income: Having a steady and sufficient income means they can meet financial obligations without difficulty.
Good References: A history of positive relationships with previous landlords indicates reliability and good behavior.
Adherence to Rules: Good tenants follow the terms of the lease agreement, such as noise limits, pet policies, and occupancy limits.
Polite & Courteous: Great tenants show consideration for other neighbors in the building or neighborhood, fostering a community atmosphere and making living conditions better for everyone.
Long-Term Commitment: Tenants willing to stay longer help reduce turnover and associated costs, contributing to stability for landlords.

8 Steps to Find a Good Tenant

Step 1: Know the Tenancy Laws in BC, Canada

Before you start looking for tenants, familiarize yourself with the Residential Tenancy Act and other relevant tenancy laws in British Columbia. Knowing your legal rights and responsibilities as a landlord will help you make informed decisions and avoid potential legal issues. Make sure to stay up-to-date with any changes in the law to ensure compliance and protect both you and your tenants.

Step 2: Offer a Well-Maintained Property

First impressions are everything.

A clean and well-maintained property sets the tone for the kind of audience you want to attract: clean and responsible tenants who take good care of your rental unit.

Here are some key steps:

Update Critical Areas: Consider renovations that appeal to renters, such as modernizing the kitchen, upgrading flooring, or adding fresh paint. See our Best Renovations for Rental Properties
Deep Clean: A spotless property creates an excellent first impression.
Conduct Basic Repairs: Fix leaky faucets, broken fixtures, and squeaky doors.
Curb Appeal: Ensure the landscaping, siding, windows, and doors are neat and inviting.

For a full checklist, see our blog on Preparing Your House for Rent.

Step 3: Decide on Renting Furnished or Unfurnished

Decide which option aligns with your target market. A furnished rental may attract short-term tenants, while an unfurnished one often appeals to long-term renters.

Deciding whether to rent your property furnished or unfurnished depends on your target market and financial goals.

Furnished rentals command higher monthly rents and attract short-term tenants like executives or students.

Unfurnished units are more appealing to long-term tenants — offering lower turnover and more stable income.

Learn more about the pros and cons of Furnished vs. Unfurnished Rentals.

Step 4: Create a Detailed Listing & Price It Right

A clear and comprehensive listing is crucial for attracting serious inquiries.

Highlight your property’s best features, take high quality photos, and provide all necessary details:

Key Metrics: number of beds, baths, square footage, yard space
Visual Appeal: Use high-quality photos and videos to showcase your property in the best light.
Amenities: parking, gym, laundry, etc.
Sustainability: Emphasize any eco-friendly features for today’s environmentally conscious renters, such as energy-efficient appliances or water-saving fixtures. Learn about Sustainable Property Management.

To make sure renters actually click on your listing, write a compelling headline that sells your property’s most desirable aspects, which could be the neighborhood, amenities, newness, or yard size.

e.g. “New 2-bed Downtown Kelowna Condo for Rent: Pool, Gym & Secure Parking”

To make sure your listing is competitive on price, compare your rental property to other similar listings in your area. Check your local listings pages and CMHC rental market reports for recent pricing data.

Renting out a home in the Okanagan Valley? Check the Average Rent in Kelowna, BC.

Step 5: Advertise Widely

Leverage multiple advertising channels to reach a wider audience of potential tenants:

Online Platforms: Post your listing on rental websites like Craigslist, Kijiji, PadMapper, and Facebook Marketplace.
Social Media: Share your property on platforms like Instagram and Facebook for added visibility.
Local Newspapers: Consider both traditional and online local news to target older demographics.
Property Management Companies: Partnering with a professional property management service can save you time, expand your reach, and help you select the very best tenants in your area.

Step 6: Reply to Queries Professionally

When you start getting replies to your advertisements, respond to tenant queries in a timely manner with a professional and friendly tone.

Balance Your Tone: Avoid sounding too desperate for a tenant, as this might raise concerns about the property. Similarly, don’t appear too indifferent, which can make tenants question your reliability as a landlord.
Be Informative: Answer their questions clearly and provide all necessary details about the property, rental terms, and viewing arrangements.
Stay Organized: Keep track of communication with each applicant so you can follow up with them in a timely and consistent manner.

Be approachable, but remember to set professional boundaries to establish a landlord-tenant dynamic early on.

Step 7: Screen Your Applicants Thoroughly

Effective tenant screening is vital to avoid future issues. Follow these steps:

Meet Applicants in Person: Use this opportunity to gauge their character and professionalism.
Verify Income and Credit: Confirm that they can afford the rent and have a history of financial responsibility. How to Verify Tenant Income
Check References: Speak with previous landlords to learn about their behavior as tenants.
Watch for Red Flags: Be cautious of inconsistent information, reluctance to provide references, or a history of late payments. Learn more about Tenant Red Flags and Screening Tenants Effectively.

As a landlord in BC, you cannot judge potential tenants based on race, religion, gender, or other protected things under the Human Rights Code.

Step 8: Use a Standardized Lease Agreement & Get a Deposit

Once you’ve selected a tenant, ensure all terms are clearly outlined in a standardized lease agreement. Specify the rent amount, payment schedule, and rules for property use.

In British Columbia, we use form RTB-1 for residential tenancy agreements, which you can download (PDF) here.

Next, perform a walkthrough with your tenant, taking note of your property’s current condition.

Finally, collect a half-month security deposit to cover potential damages or unpaid rent, as allowed under BC’s tenancy regulations. If your tenant owns a pet, you can collect an additional half-months rent as a pet damage deposit.

The Hidden Costs of Bad Tenants

Bad tenants can lead to significant financial losses and headaches for landlords.

Here are some of the potential costs:

Unpaid Rent: If a tenant fails to pay rent for several months, it can cost you thousands of dollars in lost income.
Property Damage: Tenants who don’t take care of the property can cause extensive damage, often beyond the security deposit. Depending on the extent of the damage, repair costs can run from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Legal & Administrative Fees: If you have to evict a bad tenant, you’ll likely have to pay legal fees and administrative costs. Hiring a lawyer can cost from $400 to $500 per hour.
Lost Income Due to Vacancy: When you finally evict a bad tenant, you’ll lose rental income during the vacancy while you find a new tenant.
Stress and Lost Time: Dealing with bad tenants is financially draining, time-consuming and stressful. Handling disputes, coordinating repairs, and managing legal processes through the RTB can take a toll on BC landlords.

Wrapping Up

Finding good tenants requires effort, but the payoff is worth it.

Remember to trust Your instincts when you select new tenants: Sometimes your intuition can play a crucial role in identifying the right and wrong people.

Be sure to keep up-to-date with changes in the Residential Tenancy Act to ensure compliance and protect both you and your tenants.

For tips on retaining tenants and reducing turnover, check out How to Reduce Tenant Turnover.

Vantage West Property Management

Need help finding reliable tenants? Contact Vantage West Realty today for expert property management services in Kelowna & Vernon, BC.

How to Find Good Tenants in BC, Canada (2025 Guide)