Condition Inspection Reports

Landlords and tenants are now required to complete a Condition Inspection Report of the rental premises at the start of a tenancy and again at the end. Failing to complete either report can have significant consequences.

On the day the tenant becomes entitled to possession of the rental unit, or on another day agreed upon before the tenant moves in, the landlord and tenant (or representative) must conduct an inspection of the rental unit and make a written record of the state and condition of the premises, identifying damages, wear and tear, needed repairs, etc. It is strongly recommended that photographs be taken and that government form RTO - 27 be used. If an inspection can't be carried out on the first day of the tenancy the landlord is required to provide at least two other opportunities for inspection. The completed report is required to be signed by both parties and a copy given to the tenant within 7 days. If the landlord fails to comply with the legislative provisions he loses his right to claim damages against the security and/or pet deposit at the end of the tenancy. If the tenant fails to participate in the condition inspection or send a representative to do so, the tenant loses his right to return of the security and/or pet deposit.

Condition and Inspection Reports are dealt with in sections 23, 24, 35 and 36 of the Residential Tenancy Act of BC. An electronic copy of the Act is found at http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/

- Do-it-yourself Rental Inspection Report Form by LawDepot.com

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Expert Advice - Condition Inspection

Q: This question is reagarding the security deposit. If there was never a move-in inspection done can the landlord refuse to give back less than all of the the original deposit, regardless of damage? And is there even a point in having the move-out inspection done?

A: Inspection reports are critical for Arbitrators because they give a before and after picture of the rental property, from which damages, if any, and any resulting expenses can be ascertained. Since January 1, 2004, move-in and move-out inspection reports are required in residential tenancies. The consequences of failing to conduct a move-in report and/or a move-out report are spelled out in sections 24 and 36 of the Act - both the landlord and/or tenant can lose the right to claim against the security deposit altogether. If you now decide it ain't worth conducting a move-out report, you can kiss your security deposit goodbye.

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