THE MYTH
“The landlord can ask for last month's rent up front.”
WHAT'S TRUE
BC has no 'last month's rent.' Landlords can collect a security deposit (max half a month's rent) and a pet damage deposit (another half month). That's it.
THE DETAIL
Under the Residential Tenancy Act section 19, a landlord can require a security deposit of no more than one-half of one month's rent. A separate pet damage deposit of up to one-half month's rent is allowed under section 19(3). No other up-front payment is permitted. 'Last month's rent' is not a valid charge in British Columbia, even if a lease tries to require it.
Primary source
Related myths
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Common to both sides
Fixed-term leases automatically become month-to-month at the end of the term in almost every case. The landlord can only require move-out if a strictly-limited 'vacate clause' applies.
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Common to both sides
Landlords can restrict pets in the tenancy agreement. If pets are allowed, the landlord can require up to a half-month pet damage deposit (on top of the security deposit).