What BC Tenancy Law Says About Moving Out
In British Columbia, the Residential Tenancy Act sets out what a tenant has to do when they leave. Section 37(2)(a) says that when a tenant vacates, they must leave the rental unit reasonably clean, and undamaged except for reasonable wear and tear
. Section 37(1) adds that, unless the landlord and tenant agree otherwise, the tenant must move out by 1 p.m. on the day the tenancy ends.
Section 35 requires the landlord and tenant to inspect the condition of the unit at the end of the tenancy, before a new tenant moves in, either on or after the day the tenant stops living there or on another day they agree. That inspection is where small repairs get noticed.
This is a summary, not legal advice. Read your tenancy agreement, and see the Residential Tenancy Branch’s guidance, including its Policy Guideline 1 on landlord and tenant responsibilities, for details. Sources checked 27 October 2026.
Wear and Tear vs Damage
The law allows for reasonable wear and tear, the slow decline that comes from normal living over time. Damage is different. Where the line falls is decided case by case, but some patterns are common:
Often treated as normal wear
- Paint that has faded or dulled with age
- Light scuffs where furniture sat
- Minor wear on floors in walkways
- Door hardware loosened by everyday use
More likely treated as damage
- Holes punched or kicked in walls
- Large anchor holes from mounting without permission
- Broken doors, hinges or closet tracks
- Gouges, burns or water damage from a spill left too long
When in doubt, talk to your landlord before you move out, and fix what’s clearly yours to fix.
Room-by-Room Repair Checklist
Walls and ceilings
- Fill nail and screw holes from art and shelves.DIY
- Patch larger anchor holes, doorknob holes and dents properly.Book it
- Touch up patched spots so they blend in, or repaint the wall if they won’t.Book it
- Remove hooks, adhesive strips and tape without pulling paint.DIY
Doors, trim and closets
- Tighten loose handles and hinges.DIY
- Fix doors that rub, stick or won’t latch.Book it
- Put closet doors back on their tracks.Book it
- Repair damaged baseboards and door casing.Book it
Kitchen and bathroom
- Re-caulk the tub, shower and sink if the caulk is cracked or stained.Book it
- Tighten or replace loose towel bars and cabinet hinges.Book it
- Clean grout and wipe down tile.DIY
Mounted items
- Take down TVs and brackets you installed, then patch the holes.Book it
- Remove curtain rods and blinds you added, unless the landlord wants them left.DIY
- Remove wall anchors for furniture straps and patch.Book it
Outside (houses and townhouses)
- Repair a gate or fence section damaged during the tenancy.Book it
- Sweep and clear the deck or patio.DIY
A Simple Move-Out Timeline
- Three to four weeks before. Walk through with this checklist. Book your elevator or moving slot if you’re in a strata building. Book any repairs you won’t do yourself.
- One to two weeks before. Repairs done while there’s still furniture to move around; paint touch-ups need time to dry.
- Moving week. Remove mounted items as furniture leaves, patch the last holes, clean.
- Move-out day. Final clean, keys back, and the condition inspection with the landlord.
For Landlords: Turning a Unit Around
Between tenants, a unit is empty and easy to work in, which makes it the best time to catch up on everything at once. A typical turnover list is patching and painting, door and hardware adjustments, re-caulking the bathroom, and replacing anything broken. Booking it for the days right after the move-out inspection means the unit is ready to show sooner.
We can meet you or your property manager at the unit, go through the condition report together and work through every item in one visit.
For Sellers: Small Repairs Before You List
Buyers notice small things: a door that won’t latch, a dent by the front door, scuffed trim, a stained ceiling. Fixing them before photos and showings costs little and takes away easy objections. Focus on the entry, the main living space and the bathrooms first.
A good pre-listing list is short and visible: patch and touch up the walls people see first, fix every door so it opens and latches smoothly, replace any cracked or stained caulk in the bathrooms, tighten loose handles and towel bars, and repair anything outside that a buyer walks past on the way in, like a wobbly step railing or a gate that drags.
What We Can and Can’t Help With
We handle drywall, painting, doors and trim, mounting and removing installed items, caulking, and small exterior repairs. We don’t do electrical, gas or plumbing work. Those trades need a licensed specialist, and we’re happy to tell you when a job on your list needs one.