Insulation is now compulsory in all rental homes.

Landlords should make sure their rental home can be well heated and ventilated. Tenants are responsible for ventilating the home during their tenancy.

Working smoke alarms or detectors are compulsory in all rental homes. New smoke alarms must be photoelectric and have a long battery life, or be hard-wired.

Rental homes need to be free from mould and dampness before being rented out. During a tenancy, tenants need to keep the house well-aired and remove any mould straight away.

Landlords must provide and maintain rental properties in a reasonable state of repair. This means making sure they’re safe and healthy to live in.

If something gets damaged in a rental property, or needs repairing, it’s important to know who’s responsible for fixing and paying for the problem.

Landlords can enter their rental properties at certain times, for certain things. They must give the right amount of notice or get their tenant’s permission. They must also respect the tenant’s reasonable peace, comfort and privacy.

Regular property inspections are important for a healthy rental and a good relationship between landlord and tenant.

Landlords need to make sure the property is free from pests at the start of the tenancy and maintain the property to help prevent infestations.

Tenants need to keep their house in a condition that doesn’t encourage pests and know what to do if there is an infestation.

Both landlords and tenants are responsible for keeping the house secure.

Landlords need to comply with various legal obligations. Find out about the laws and bylaws that apply to renting a property.

Quiet enjoyment means being able to enjoy reasonable peace, comfort and privacy, and allowing others to enjoy the same.