Utilities in British Columbia Rentals
Your tenancy agreement should spell out exactly how utilities are handled.
Last updated: September 2026
Utilities Must Be Set Out in the Agreement
Under British Columbia's Residential Tenancy Act, the tenancy agreement should clearly state how utilities are paid and by whom. Before signing, confirm exactly which utilities, such as electricity, gas, or water, are included in your rent and which you are responsible for separately.
Sub-Metering
BC's Residential Tenancy Act requires utility arrangements to be set out in the tenancy agreement, but does not appear to publish detailed sub-metering regulations on its official pages. For unit-specific sub-metering questions, contact the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) directly.
In Metro Vancouver (Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond), utility providers are generally FortisBC for gas, BC Hydro for electricity, and the municipality or Metro Vancouver for water and sewer. In Victoria, it is FortisBC for gas, BC Hydro for electricity, and the City of Victoria for water and sewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for utilities in a BC rental?
It depends entirely on what your tenancy agreement says. The Residential Tenancy Act requires the agreement to clearly state how utilities are paid and by whom.
Does BC have specific sub-metering rules?
No official BC government page with specific sub-metering regulations was found. For unit-specific sub-metering questions, contact the Residential Tenancy Branch directly.
Sources
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