Housing Information & Help
Find information for landlords, tenants, stratas, co-ops, and mobile homes.
Landlord information & help
Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a landlord in BC.
General Information
- Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) BC government site
- Includes guides for being a new landlord, rent increases, forms, dispute resolution, and the Residential Tenancy Branch contact info. Also has rental agreement forms.
- Renting It Right video courses
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- Free video courses on finding a home, tenancy law in BC, & dispute resolution.
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- TRAC (Tenant Resource and Advisory Center)
- Aimed at tenants but has good information for landlords on starting & ending a tenancy, rights & responsibilities of tenants & landlords, dispute resolution info.
- People’s Law School
- Guides, webinars, and templates covering topics like renting in BC, disputes, evictions, etc. Aimed at tenants but information is relevant to landlord roles also.
- BC Housing
- Includes tenant hand books with information relevant to landlords, including ones in Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Punjabi, and Tagalog.
Books
- Books from our Library catalogue
BC Legal & Govenment Framework
- Human Rights Code
- Human Rights Code Responsibilities for landlords from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
Dispute Resolution
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- Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) from the Government of BC
- BC Human Rights Tribunal
- Supreme Court of British Columbia
Taxes, Rebates, & Grants
- BC Assessment for property valuation information by address.
- BC Government – Home Owners Grant – Apply online or call 1-888-355-2700 to reduce the property tax owing on your principal residence. Additional grant is available to seniors.
- BC Government – Property Tax Deferment Program – A low-interest tax deferral program for eligible homeowners in BC.
- Government of Canada – Homeowners A list of tax credits, rebates, grants, and other topics of potential relevance to homeowners.
Associations
- Rent BC (formerly Landlord BC)
- Professional association for landlords in BC. Their website provides education, resources, and support to landlords and property managers. Topics include rental property management, landlord rights, tenant rights, advocacy for increased rental housing, and more. Most information is available to members only.
Tenant information & help
Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in BC.
Watch this webinar in partnership with the Tenant Resource and Advocacy Centre on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant
General information
- Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) BC government site
- Includes guides for being a new landlord, rent increases, forms, dispute resolution, and the Residential Tenancy Branch contact info. Also has rental agreement forms.
- Renting It Right video courses
-
- Free video courses on finding a home, tenancy law in BC, & dispute resolution.
-
- TRAC (Tenant Resource and Advisory Center)
- Starting & ending a tenancy, rights & responsibilities of tenants & landlords, dispute resolution info.
- Roommate agreement template
- Sample forms & communications
- Tenant Infoline: 604-255-0546
- People’s Law School
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- Guides, webinars, and templates covering topics like renting in BC, disputes, evictions, etc. Aimed at tenants but information is relevant to landlord roles also.
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- BC Housing
- BC Housing works in partnership with the private and non-profit sectors, provincial health authorities and ministries, other levels of government and community groups to develop a range of housing options.
- Includes tenant hand books, including ones in Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Punjabi, and Tagalog.
BC Legal & Govenment Framework
- Human Rights Code
- Human Rights Code Responsibilities for landlords from BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
Dispute Resolution
- Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) from the Government of BC
- BC Human Rights Tribunal
- Supreme Court of British Columbia
- Access Pro Bono Residential Tenancy Program
- Free legal assistance and representation to low and modest income tenants who are contending with tenancy law issues before the Residential Tenancy Branch.
- People’s Law School
- Lots of information on common tenancy dispute topics.
Cohabitation & Living with Roommates
- Living Together, Living Apart: common law relationships, marriage, separation, and divorce (from Legal Aid BC)
- TRAC’s Roommates page
- Information for starting a tenancy, rights and responsibilities, disputes, and roommate agreement template.
Rent Help
- BC Housing’s list of programs
- BC Rent Bank
- BC Housing for subsidized, affordable, and market rate housing.
Finding Housing
- General
- 211 from BC United Way In Explore Resources, click “Housing”. In the results page, enter community name to find services in your neighborhood.
- BC Housing for subsidized, affordable, and market rate housing.
- Indigenous specific
- M’akola Housing Society – provides safe, affordable and appropriate homes primarily for Indigenous people and families.
- Salish Lelum Housing Society – provides essential services to Nanaimo and area Indigenous population
- Senior and disability specific
- Independent Living BC Program (BC Housing)
- Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations
- For landlords and tenants
- Seniors Housing Directory of BC
- Includes regular market rental, subsidized, assisted living, hospice, etc. with the option to filter for places that are wheelchair-accessible, allow pets, or permit indoor smoking.
- Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) from BC Housing
- Lower income seniors renting in the private market may be eligible for a rent supplement through SAFER.
- Temporary Housing Program from Seniors Services Society
- Unhoused and at risk specific
- 211 from BC United Way In Explore Resources, click “Homelessness”. In the results page, enter community name to find services in your neighborhood.
- BC Housing Shelter Map
- Supportive Housing (BC Housing)
- Seniors Services Society Temporary Housing Program
- Women leaving violence/abusive relationships
- BC housing resources, including shelters, transitional and second stage housing, and long-term housing.
- Youth-specific
- Roommate Agreement template from TRAC
- Aging out of Foster Care
- AGEDOUT – Learn life skills, seek out information on housing and other topics for youth
- Government of BC resources
- SAJE Housing Supports & Rent Supplement Program
- BC Government Child and Youth Mental Health Clinics – provides referrals for youth to access subsidized housing and healthcare supports
- Nanaimo area
- Nanaimo Youth Services Association Housing Centre -provide safe, supportive and/or affordable housing and personal development options to youth between the ages of 16 and 25 years old.
- Tillicum Lelum Nanaimo – Various programs for Indigenous youth
- Regional District of Nanaimo Youth Housing Support- Several organizations in the region (covering Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Lantzville and surrounding areas) may be able to help you find housing and other supports you may need.
Stratas, Co-op/Co-operative Housing, Mobile/Manufactured Home information & help
Learn about your rights, responsibilities, and laws regarding these specialized forms of housing.
Books
- Books from our Library catalogue on strata properties and co-ops
Associations
- Condominium Home Owners Association of BC
- Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association
- Co-Op Housing Federation of BC
- BC Active Manufactured Home Owners Society for owners, tenants, and landlords of mobile/manufactured homes
BC Legal Framework
- Strata Property Act
- Strata Property Regulation
- Cooperative Association Act
- Cooperative Association Regulation
- Manufactured Home Act
- Manufactured Home Regulation
- People’s Law School –stratas, co-ops, and mobile homes
- Guides, webinars, and templates covering topics from buying a strata home, living in a strata, complaints, and changing bylaws.
Advocacy & Help
Resources
- Povnet Find and Advocate Tool – PovNet is an online community of advocates and front-line workers that addresses poverty and promotes access to justice for vulnerable residents of British Columbia.
- TRAC Advocacy – TRAC’s Housing Law Clinic Lawyer can provide free legal advice and/or representation
- Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association
- BC Homeless Blog – Find an Advocate Guide – Most resources are province-wide. Legal aid and other information.
- Access Pro Bono Residential Tenancy Program
- TAPS – Together Against Poverty Society
Updated Nov. 2, 2026 by DNL.