Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB)

The Residential Tenancy Branch is a tribunal operating under the Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, that administers residential tenancy law in British Columbia and resolves disputes between landlords and tenants. The RTB provides dispute resolution services, educational resources, and policy interpretation related to residential tenancies. Verify current RTB contact information and service delivery methods at www.gov.bc.ca before filing any application.

Under the Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, the RTB handles disputes including security deposit claims, unpaid rent or utilities, eviction applications, repairs and maintenance issues, and ending tenancy matters. The RTB does not handle disputes involving rent or eviction in certain excluded housing types such as hotel rooms, some co-op housing, or live-in caregiver arrangements as defined in the Act. Verify whether your specific tenancy type falls under RTB jurisdiction with a BC lawyer or the RTB directly before filing.

As of 2026-07-27 — verify current, the standard RTB application filing fee is $100.00 for most dispute types, though fees may differ for specific application categories. Fee amounts are set by regulation under the Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, and are subject to change. Verify the current RTB fee schedule at www.gov.bc.ca or by contacting the RTB directly before submitting payment.

The Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, prescribes different notice periods depending on the reason and party ending the tenancy: for example, a tenant on a month-to-month tenancy typically gives one full month's notice, while a landlord seeking to end tenancy for personal occupancy must typically give two or three months' notice depending on circumstances (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current). Specific notice forms and timelines are set out in the Act and RTB policy guidelines. Verify the correct notice period and form for your specific situation with a BC lawyer, notary, or the RTB before serving notice.

Under the Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, a purchaser may be entitled to apply to end a tenancy for landlord's use of property (purchaser occupancy) if they meet statutory requirements, including providing proper notice and meeting the criteria in the Act. The RTB adjudicates whether the application complies with the notice and eligibility rules. Verify the current notice requirements, purchaser occupancy rules, and timelines with a BC lawyer or notary before completing a purchase of tenanted property.

Hearing timelines at the RTB vary depending on application type, complexity, and RTB scheduling capacity; hearings may be scheduled weeks or months after filing (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current). The Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, and RTB operational policies govern dispute resolution processes, but do not mandate a fixed hearing timeline for all dispute types. Verify current RTB wait times and scheduling practices by contacting the RTB directly or consulting a BC lawyer before relying on any estimated timeline.

Under the Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, an RTB monetary order may be filed with the BC Supreme Court for enforcement as a court judgment, allowing the successful party to pursue collection remedies such as garnishment or seizure. Non-compliance with a non-monetary order (such as an order for possession) may require additional court proceedings or enforcement steps. Verify enforcement options and timelines for your specific RTB order with a BC lawyer or notary before taking action.

Yes. The Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, and its regulations set the maximum allowable rent increase percentage each year and require landlords to provide proper written notice (typically three full months, as of 2026-07-27 — verify current) before increasing rent. The annual allowable increase percentage is published by the BC government. Verify the current maximum allowable rent increase percentage and notice requirements at www.gov.bc.ca or with the RTB before serving or responding to a rent increase notice.

The Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, provides that a party may apply for review of an RTB decision to the RTB itself within a limited time (typically 2 business days for monetary orders and 5 days for possession orders, as of 2026-07-27 — verify current), or may seek judicial review in BC Supreme Court on grounds of jurisdictional error or procedural unfairness. Appeals on the merits are not available; only limited review grounds apply. Verify applicable timelines and grounds for review or judicial review with a BC lawyer immediately upon receiving an RTB decision.

When a tenanted property is sold in BC, the Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, generally requires that the existing tenancy continues and the new owner assumes the landlord's obligations, including security deposits and the existing lease terms. The RTB administers disputes about notice to end tenancy, security deposit transfers, and compliance with the Act during and after the sale. Verify your obligations as a purchaser of tenanted property, including notice requirements and deposit handling, with a BC lawyer or notary before the completion date.