Maintenance

In a business context, maintenance means the upkeep and repair of property, buildings or equipment. In a commercial lease, the lease decides who maintains and repairs what, for example the tenant for the interior of the premises and the landlord for the structure and common areas, and how those costs are shared through operating costs.

How BC law treats it

Commercial leases in BC are governed mainly by the lease and the common law, with the Commercial Tenancy Act, RSBC 1996, c 57 dealing with limited matters; the Residential Tenancy Act does not apply. Spousal and child support under the Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c 25 is a separate family law topic with no bearing on business maintenance obligations.

What it means for your business

Before signing a lease or equipment contract, confirm exactly which repairs and replacements fall to you, since these costs can be significant over the term.

Risks and common mistakes

Vague repair clauses, especially for roofs, HVAC systems and capital replacements, often lead to disputes over who pays when major work is needed.

For the full explanation, see our entry on Lease.

General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.