Residential Tenancies Branch

s. 58, The Residential Tenancies Act

Definitions

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Carpets and Drapes

A landlord is not expected to clean carpets or drapes during a tenancy, unless something unusual happens, like a water leak or flooding.

If a tenant wants to clean their carpets or drapes, they should check with their landlord in case there are any special cleaning instructions.

Mold

The Branch generally refers complaints about mold contamination/build-up to the local environmental health authorities. Sometimes mold happens because of a repair problem. For example: a broken bathroom exhaust fan. If repairs are required, the Branch follows the procedures under Landlord’s Responsibility for Repairs.

Windows

A tenant in a single-family one-storey home must clean the inside and outside of all windows.

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A tenant in a multi-level residential complex must clean the inside glass and tracks of all windows.

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A tenant is responsible for cleaning the outside of doors and windows that open onto a balcony.

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A landlord of a multi-level residential complex is responsible for cleaning the outside of windows (including those on the main floor), except for balcony doors and windows. The landlord is responsible even though the windows may be sliding windows.

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Cleaning windows once a year is considered to be part of maintaining the appearance of the rental unit. A tenant doesn’t have to live in a unit for a specific period of time before they can ask the landlord to clean the windows. Either the landlord or tenant can ask the Branch to decide if the tenant’s request is reasonable.

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Eaves trough

A landlord is responsible to clean leaves or other debris from eaves troughs, if required, to ensure that water can flow freely to downspouts.

Procedure

Overview

This policy is included as information for landlords, tenants and officers. If a tenant and landlord aren’t able to solve a problem with cleaning during a tenancy on their own, they can ask the Branch for help.

Steps ▼

1.The officer encourages the landlord and tenant to share information, and to discuss the problem, to try to come to an agreement.

2.If the landlord and tenant can’t agree on a tenant’s request for window cleaning or cleaning an eaves trough, the officer determines if the tenant’s request is reasonable. If the officer doesn’t find the tenant’s request to be reasonable, the officer issues a decision denying the tenant’s request. If the officer decides the request is reasonable, they may order the landlord to clean the windows or eaves trough by a specific date.

3.The officer then follows the procedures under Landlord’s Responsibility for Repairs.

Forms & Form Letters

X-Referencing

For information on mediation, see Section 1.

Policy Developed

September, 1992

Last Revision

July, 2023

Other Resources

None

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