In BC, a landlord must keep every gas appliance in a rental in safe condition, post a permanent notice on safe operation near each appliance, and keep accurate maintenance and service records, under section 55 of the Gas Safety Regulation. Technical Safety BC advises servicing by a licensed gas contractor at least once a year.
The Residential Tenancy Act adds a general duty: under s.32(1), a BC landlord must keep the rental in a state of repair that complies with the health, safety and housing standards required by law. A furnace, boiler or water heater that is not maintained can leak carbon monoxide (CO), a gas you cannot see or smell.
BC Landlord Gas and CO Safety Checklist
A one-page checklist for BC landlords: servicing gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters, the Gas Safety Regulation s.55 notice and records, CO alarms and what to do if an alarm sounds.
Get Free PDF →What do you need before you start?
To meet your gas safety duties in a BC rental, you need a list of every gas appliance, a licensed gas contractor, and a place to keep records. Have ready:
- a list of each fuel-burning appliance: furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace, range, dryer;
- the manufacturer's instructions for each (they set the service interval);
- the name of a licensed gas contractor (Technical Safety BC licenses them);
- a binder or folder for service records, one per property;
- Canadian-certified CO alarms, if the rental does not already have them.
How does a BC landlord meet the gas safety duties, step by step?
- Book a service for every gas appliance. Technical Safety BC recommends servicing at least annually, or as the manufacturer's instructions say, by a licensed gas contractor. A furnace service checks burners, venting, the heat exchanger and CO levels.
- Give the tenant written notice of entry. Under RTA s.29(1)(b), give at least 24 hours' and no more than 30 days' written notice, with a reasonable purpose and a time between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m., unless the tenant agrees otherwise.
- Post the safe-operation notice. Gas Safety Regulation s.55(a) requires a permanent notice on safe operation, in a conspicuous place where anyone using the appliance can see it.
- File the service record. Section 55(c) requires accurate records of maintenance and servicing on the gas system. Keep the contractor's invoice and checklist.
- Install and test CO alarms. Technical Safety BC recommends alarms on every level, near sleeping areas and in mechanical rooms with gas appliances, tested monthly and replaced at expiry.
- Tell the tenant. Explain which appliances use gas, what the CO alarm sounds like, and who to call. RTA s.33(2) requires you to post or give in writing the name and phone number for emergency repairs.
Who is responsible for what in a BC rental?
In a BC rental, the landlord is responsible for keeping gas appliances safe and serviced, and the tenant is responsible for reporting problems and not disabling alarms.
| Task | Landlord | Tenant |
|---|---|---|
| Keep gas appliances in safe condition | Yes (Gas Safety Regulation s.55(b)) | No |
| Post safe-operation notice and keep service records | Yes (s.55(a), (c)) | No |
| Repair damage the tenant caused | No | Yes (RTA s.32(3)) |
| Report a problem, keep alarms connected, keep vents clear of snow and debris | Respond promptly | Yes (Technical Safety BC guidance) |
Are carbon monoxide alarms required in BC rentals?
In BC, CO alarms are currently required in new residential buildings that contain a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage, under the BC Building Code and Fire Code; Vancouver has its own requirements. Technical Safety BC is consulting on a change to the Gas Safety Regulation that would require CO alarms in existing residential buildings with gas appliances, with building owners responsible for installing, testing and maintaining them; that is a proposal, not yet law. Our guide to smoke and CO alarms in BC rentals covers alarm duties in detail.
Tips
- Never do gas work on a rental yourself: the homeowner permit in Gas Safety Regulation s.24 is limited to an owner who lives in a fully detached home.
- Have a licensed contractor check ventilation after renovations, such as a new kitchen exhaust fan.
- Keep furnace and boiler rooms clear of storage so air can reach the appliance.
- Watch for recalls on heaters and boilers; see space heater and gas boiler recalls.
Troubleshooting
The CO alarm goes off. Technical Safety BC says everyone should get outside right away, call 911 from outside, and not go back in until responders say it is safe. Then have a licensed gas contractor inspect before the appliance is used again. A broken primary heating system is an emergency repair under RTA s.33(1).
The tenant will not allow entry. Serve written notice under s.29; in an emergency to protect life or property, s.29(1)(f) allows entry without notice.
For the wider repair duty, see repairs and maintenance in BC, and our BC Landlord Resource Center.
Frequently asked questions
How often must a BC landlord service a gas furnace?
The Gas Safety Regulation requires appliances to be kept in safe condition but does not set a fixed interval. Technical Safety BC advises servicing at least once a year, or as the manufacturer's instructions say, by a licensed gas contractor.
What records does a BC landlord have to keep?
Gas Safety Regulation s.55(c) requires the owner of rental premises to keep accurate records of maintenance and servicing performed on the gas system. Keep each invoice and service checklist for the property.
Who pays for gas appliance servicing in a BC rental?
The landlord does, because the duty to keep appliances safe falls on the owner of the rental premises under s.55(b). A tenant pays only to repair damage they or their guests caused (RTA s.32(3)).
Can a tenant install their own CO alarm?
Yes. Technical Safety BC suggests tenants without an alarm speak with the landlord or use a battery-operated or plug-in alarm, which needs no installation.
BC Landlord Gas and CO Safety Checklist
A one-page checklist for BC landlords: servicing gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters, the Gas Safety Regulation s.55 notice and records, CO alarms and what to do if an alarm sounds.
Get Free PDF →Keep your BC rental safe and your paperwork in order
Free BC landlord forms and guides, from entry notices to repairs.
Free • No signup required
