To avoid the time and expense of a dispute resolution hearing, landlords and tenants may wish to try to resolve their disagreement by talking to each other.

See also:

Fact Sheet RTB-128: Resolving a Dispute on Your Own (PDF)

How do I apply for dispute resolution?

A landlord or tenant can request a dispute resolution hearing by:

completing an Application for Dispute Resolution form,
filing the form with the Residential Tenancy Branch, and
paying the filing fee.

The Residential Tenancy Branch will then schedule the dispute for a hearing by a dispute resolution officer.

Where can I find the Application for Dispute Resolution form?

There are three different ways to submit an Application for Dispute Resolution:

Complete and submit the online Application for Dispute Resolution form over the web.
Download and print either the Landlord's Application for Dispute Resolution form (PDF) or the Tenant's Application for Dispute Resolution form (PDF).
Obtain a paper Application for Dispute Resolution form at any Residential Tenancy Branch Office, Government Agent’s Office, or Service BC Office.

Who can file an Application for Dispute Resolution form?

A landlord or tenant can complete and file the Application for Dispute Resolution form. The person or company who completes the form is called the Applicant. If the Applicant is a company, only an authorized representative of that company can complete the form.

"File the form" means that the Applicant must provide the completed form to the Residential Tenancy Branch, with any required supporting documentation and evidence, to get approval for a dispute resolution hearing.

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What is the scheduling process for dispute resolution hearings?

If the form is approved, the Applicant can pay the fee. When payment is received, the Residential Tenancy Branch will schedule the dispute resolution hearing and prepare Hearing Documents to notify the Applicant of the hearing date, time and place. The Hearing Documents will include information such as instructions on how to prepare for dispute resolution.

The Applicant will have to serve the Respondent(s) with their Hearing Documents according to the methods and within the time frames specified under the Residential Tenancy Act or Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, as applicable. The Hearing Documents will have to be served within a very short time period (a few days).

See also:

Fact Sheet RTB-119: How to Serve Documents (PDF)
Fact Sheet RTB-123: Residential Tenancy Branch Fees and Fee Waivers (PDF)

Where can I file an Application for Dispute Resolution?

The Applicant can file the Application for Dispute Resolution form and pay the filing fee:

in person at either the Burnaby, Kelowna or Victoria Residential Tenancy Branch Office
in person at a Service BC Office
by mail, with a money order enclosed, to the Burnaby, Kelowna or Victoria Residential Tenancy Branch Office. Please note that personal cheques will not be accepted. It is suggested that time sensitive Applications be submitted in person.

How can I request that applications be joined in one hearing?

Where two or more Applications for Dispute Resolution name the same landlord and the matters are related and it is logical to do so, the Director of the Residential Tenancy Branch can join the Applications into one dispute resolution hearing.

See also:

Fact Sheet RTB-121: Requesting Dispute Resolution Applications be Joined (PDF)

What are the fees for dispute resolution?

The filing fee is $50.00 for all applications for dispute resolution where the Applicant is not claiming a monetary amount, or is claiming an amount of $5,000 or less.

The filing fee is $100.00 for an Application for Dispute Resolution where the Applicant is claiming an amount greater than $5,000.

Where different applicants apply to have their Applications joined in one hearing, the lead applicant pays the full filing fee and each of the other applicants pays a fee of $25.00.

If a person has a very low income, they can apply at any Residential Tenancy Branch Office for a fee waiver. Applicants must provide proof of income before the fee will be waived.

See also:

Fact Sheet RTB-123: Residential Tenancy Branch Fees and Fee Waivers (PDF)

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How can I pay fees for dispute resolution?

When you submit your Application for Dispute Resolution form, you have a number of convenient ways to pay:

Application Submitted	Payment method
In person to the Residential Tenancy Branch	Credit card, debit card, cash, certified cheques or money order
By mail or courier to the RTB	Money order
Via RTB's online e-service	Credit card

The Residential Tenancy Branch does not accept personal cheques.

Applications submitted to a Service BC Office or at Government Agent’s Office can be paid by debit card, cash or certified cheque.

Other forms and fees

The Residential Tenancy Branch has a number of forms to apply for different types of services. You can download them from our forms and fees page.

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