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Multi-Language Information
June 15, 2009
The Residential Tenancy Guide
The Guide provides a summary of the key features of the Residential Tenancy Act and how they affect landlords and tenants in British Columbia.
The Guide is available in English Chinese Traditional Punjabi
What Everyone Needs to Know Fact Sheet
This fact sheet outlines legislative requirements on tenancy agreements, security deposits, condition inspections, rent payments and maintenance for both landlords and tenants.
The fact sheet is available in 12 languages English French Arabic Chinese Simplified Chinese Traditional Filipino Japanese Portuguese Punjabi Russian Spanish Vietnamese
Direct Request Launch
January 19, 2009
Faster resolution when rent not paid
Landlords can now use a new process when submitting a dispute resolution application for an order of possession for unpaid rent or utilities. The Direct Request process is administered exclusively from written materials submitted along with the application. There is no need to participate in a conference call or an in-person hearing.
With the new streamlined approach, the turnaround time for a landlord to get a decision might be as short as seven days. To use the Direct Request process, landlords must serve the new 10 Day Notice for Unpaid Rent or Utilities form.
To find out more about the process, [click here] for the fact sheet.
To access the new 10 Day Notice for Unpaid Rent or Utilities form [click here].
Deposit Interest Rate for 2009
January 5, 2009
The interest rate on security and pet damage deposits for 2009 is 0.0%.
The online deposit interest calculator has been updated for this year's rate.
Deposit interest rates are set according to the Residential Tenancy Regulation. The Regulation states that rates of interest payable to a tenant on security or pet damage deposits are 4.5% below the prime lending rate of the principal banker to the Province on the first day of each calendar year, compounded annually.
The prime business lending rate on January 2 was 3.5%. The Residential Tenancy Branch calculated the deposit interest rate for 2009 as 0.0%.
You can Search Decisions Made by Dispute Resolution Officers
October 24, 2008
Effective today you can search decisions made by Dispute Resolution Officers. Information is available by topic.
To search the decisions, visit section 2.1.5 of the Resolving Issues page.
Allowable Rent Increases for 2009
September 2, 2008
Conventional Residential Tenancies:
- For a conventional residential tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2009, the allowable increase is 3.7 per cent.
- The annual allowable rent increase for conventional residential tenancies is determined by the formula in the Residential Tenancy Regulation.
Manufactured Home Park Tenancies:
- For a manufactured home park tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2009, the allowable increase is 3.7 per cent plus a proportional amount. For a definition of the proportional amount and for more information please see the Rent Increase Formula for Manufactured Home Parks fact sheet.
- The annual allowable rent increase for manufactured home park tenancies is determined by the formula in the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation.
Residential Tenancy Branch forms required for rent increases are available at http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/content/formsFees/default.aspx.
Tenants aged 60 and over may be eligible for rent subsidies under the BC Housing SAFER program. Low-income families may be eligible for rent subsidies through the Rental Assistance Program. Further information is available from BC Housing at 1-800-257-7756 or www.bchousing.org.
Important Notice : eService Temporarily Will be Unavailable
August 19, 2008
The Residential Tenancy Branch is upgrading eService for online applications for dispute resolution.
This eService will not be available from 5:00 pm to midnight on Thursday August 21, 2008.
eService will be available for new applications and existing applications following this upgrade. During the upgrade period all forms will be available for people wishing to submit a printed version to the Residential Tenancy Branch.
We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Updating E-Service: Payment Process
April 9, 2008
As of April 14, 2008 The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) will require payment for an Application for Dispute Resolution when the application is made, regardless of whether you apply on-line or at a Residential Tenancy Branch office.
Administrative Penalties
March 10, 2008
Most landlords and tenants understand their rights and responsibilities and they choose to comply with the Residential Tenancy Act and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act. When landlords and tenants disagree, they sort it out on their own or use the dispute resolution services offered by the Residential Tenancy Branch.
In serious repeated cases of non-compliance with Residential Tenancy Act or the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act, the Residential Tenancy Branch may consider applying administrative penalties. Administrative penalties are not an alternative to dispute resolution.
Administrative penalties may be as much as $5,000 a day.
Deposit Interest Rate for 2008
January 2, 2008
The interest rate on security and pet damage deposits for 2008 is 1.5%.
The online deposit interest calculator has been updated for this year's rate.
Deposit interest rates are set according to the Residential Tenancy Regulation. The Regulation states that rates of interest payable to a tenant on security or pet damage deposits are 4.5% below the prime lending rate of the principal banker to the Province on the first day of each calendar year, compounded annually.
The prime business lending rate on January 2 was 6.00%. The Residential Tenancy Branch calculated the deposit interest rate for 2008 as 1.5%.
Update for Dispute Resolution Application Form
October 1, 2007
The form used by landlords and tenants wishing to apply for dispute resolution has been updated. The basic information required remains the same: the applicant must supply contact information for both the landlord and the tenant.
The applicant must also describe the nature of the dispute-whether they are looking for support for a specific action, such as ending the tenancy, or whether they are seeking money from the other party. This is done through a checklist as well as providing ‘Details of the Dispute’.
The updated form allows a person involved in a dispute to focus on the key problem and to describe important details. It is available on line as well as through the Residential Tenancy Branch’s e-service.
Allowable Rent Increases for 2008
September 4, 2007
The allowable rent increases for 2008 for conventional residential tenancies and manufactured home park tenancies are as follows:
- For a conventional residential tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2008, the allowable increase is 3.7 per cent.
- For a manufactured home park tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2008, the allowable increase is 3.7 per cent plus a proportional amount. For a definition of the proportional amount and for more information please see the Rent Increase Formula for Manufactured Home Parks fact sheet.
The annual allowable rent increase for conventional residential tenancies is determined by the formula in the Residential Tenancy Regulation.
The annual allowable rent increase for manufactured home park tenancies is determined by the formula in the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation.
Residential Tenancy Branch forms required for rent increases are available at http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/content/formsFees/default.aspx.
Tenants aged 60 and over may be eligible for rent subsidies under the BC Housing SAFER program. Low-income families may be eligible for rent subsidies through the Rental Assistance Program. Further information is available from BC Housing at 1-800-257-7756 or www.bchousing.org.
Rent Increase Formula for Manufactured Home Parks
August 13, 2007
Effective July 18, 2007, landlords are able to pass through increases in the cost of property taxes and utilities to tenants, as stated in Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation section 32. Please see Fact Sheet #RTB-131, Rent Increase Formula for Manufactured Home Parks, for details.
Deposit Interest Rate for 2007
January 3, 2007
The interest rate on security and pet damage deposits for 2007 is 1.5%.
The online deposit interest calculator has been updated for this year's rate.
Deposit interest rates are set according to the Residential Tenancy Regulation. The Regulation states rates of interest payable to a tenant on security or pet damage deposits are 4.5% below the prime lending rate of the principal banker to the Province on the first day of each calendar year, compounded annually.
The prime business lending rate on January 1 was 6.00%. The Residential Tenancy Branch calculated the deposit interest rate for 2007 as 1.5%.
Amendments to RTA and MHPTA in force October 1, 2006
October 23, 2006
On October 1, 2006, several amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act came into force. This website has been updated to include revised publications, including:
- Fact Sheets
- Forms - Application for Dispute Resolution and Notices to End Tenancy
- E-service - Application for Dispute Resolution
- Links to updated legislation
- Guide for Landlords and Tenants in British Columbia
- Guide for Manufactured Home Park Landlords and Tenants in British Columbia
- Dispute Resolution Rules of Procedure
Other RTB publications and forms are under review.
Changes to Tenancy Statutes Effective October 1, 2006
August 30, 2006
Download this one-page update (PDF) and the Order in Council (PDF) for more information about changes to tenancy statutes effective October 1, 2006.
Allowable Rent Increases for 2007
August 24, 2006
The allowable rent increases for 2007 for conventional residential tenancies and manufactured home park tenancies are as follows:
- For a conventional residential tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2007, the allowable increase is 4%.
- For a manufactured home park tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2007, the allowable increase is 4%.
The annual allowable rent increase for conventional residential tenancies is determined by the formula in the Residential Tenancy Regulation.
The annual allowable rent increase for manufactured home park tenancies is determined by the formula in the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation.
Tenants aged 60 and over may be eligible for rent subsidies under the BC Housing SAFER program. Further information is available from BC Housing at 1-800-257-7756 or www.bchousing.org.
New Residential Tenancy Guide for Landlords & Tenants
June 19, 2006
The publication, Residential Tenancy Act: A Guide for Landlords & Tenants in British Columbia, was updated.
Assisted Living and Supported Living Tenancies
June 7, 2006
Update on Amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act
Amendment to Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation
June 2, 2006
The Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation sets out the formula for the allowable annual rent increase for manufactured home park tenancies. Section 32(2) of the Regulation has been amended to change that formula. This section now reads:
For the purposes of section 36(1)(a) of the Act, a landlord may impose a rent increase that is no greater than the amount calculated as follows:
inflation rate + 2 per cent.
Under this amendment, manufactured home park owners will be permitted to adjust rents by two per cent, plus the rate of inflation. Effective immediately, the maximum rent increase for 2006 is four per cent.
Landlords must give tenants three months advance notice of a rent increase. Rents may be increased only once in a 12 month period.
- June 2, 2006 Information Bulletin
- Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation (updated version will be posted as soon as it is available)
Amendments to RTA and MHPTA introduced
April 26, 2006
Supportive housing and assisted living facilities will now be covered under the Residential Tenancy Act, providing more protection for seniors and people with disabilities Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman said today.
- Letter from Minister Coleman with summary of amendments (PDF 1,000 KB)
- Letter from Minister Coleman (only) (PDF 260 KB)
- Summary of amendments (only) (PDF 35 KB)
- News Release
- Bill 27: Tenancy Statutes Amendment Act, 2006
New Security Deposit Interest Calculator
December 23, 2005
The Residential Tenancy Branch has a new Security Deposit Interest Calculator. The calculator is web-based and works with all major web browsers and operating systems. It also displays the interest earned on deposits for each year they are held and allows results to be printed.
Follow this link to the calculator.
