Creston Housing Hub

Rental Laws & Procedures

The Rental Standards of Maintenance Bylaw sets minimum standards of maintenance for rental units and residential properties.

The purpose of this bylaw is to ensure the health, safety and protection of tenants, increase the standard of living for the rental community and improve regulation of residential rental businesses.

The bylaw aligns with the Residential Tenancy Act, which requires landlords to provide and maintain residential properties that meet the required health, safety, and housing standards.

The Rental Standards of Maintenance Bylaw applies to all rental units and residential properties regulated by the Residential Tenancy Act.

The Residential Tenancy Act in British Columbia outlines the legal framework for the rental housing market in the province. The act provides a set of rules and regulations for both landlords and tenants, covering a wide range of topics such as:

    • Rent Increases: Rules for rent increases, including the maximum amount of rent that can be charged, the notice required for rent increases, and the procedures for challenging rent increases.

    • Security Deposits: Regulates the use of security deposits by landlords and sets out the conditions under which a security deposit may be returned to the tenant.

    • Evictions: Outlines the grounds for eviction and sets out the procedures that a landlord must follow to end a tenancy, including providing proper notice and obtaining a court order.

    • Maintenance and Repairs: Requires landlords to keep rental units in good repair and habitable condition and sets out the procedures for tenants to request repairs.

    • Tenant Rights: Outlines the rights of tenants, including the right to quiet enjoyment of the rental unit, the right to privacy, and the right to make changes to the rental unit (with the landlord’s permission).

    • Landlord Obligations: Outlines the obligations of landlords, including the obligation to provide a safe and habitable rental unit, the obligation to comply with building and housing codes, and the obligation to provide a receipt for rent paid.

The Residential Tenancy Act provides a fair and neutral way to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants and helps to enforce the rights and responsibilities of both parties.

If you have a concern regarding compliance with one of the Town Bylaws, the Bylaw Compliance Department requires you to fill out a written Bylaw Complaint Form with your name, address, and phone number as well as a detailed description of the alleged bylaw violation. You can get a Bylaw Complaint Form online or at the Town Hall.

Forms may be received in various ways:

  • In person at the Town Office (Monday to Friday, excluding holidays from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
  • By email: info@creston.ca
  • By fax at (250) 428-9164

It is recommended that each resident of the Town of Creston attempt to resolve their issues before contacting the Town Office for assistance.

Everyone has the right to be free from discrimination when renting an apartment, house, co-op unit, or other space.

Landlords and others have a duty not to discriminate regarding tenancy. This includes a duty to take all reasonable steps to avoid a negative effect based on a personal characteristic. This is called the “duty to accommodate”.

Tenancy discrimination refers to poor treatment based on a personal characteristic regarding renting a space, the terms and conditions of a tenancy, or being evicted. If the poor treatment is justified, then there is no discrimination.

These are the personal characteristics protected in tenancy:

  • Indigenous Identity
  • Race
  • Colour
  • Ancestry
  • Place of Origin
  • Sex
  • Gender Identity or Expression
  • Sexual Orientation
  • Physical Disability
  • Mental Disability
  • Marital Status
  • Family Status
  • Age
  • Religion
  • Lawful personal characteristics


Learn more:


To file a human rights complaint see HERE for further information.