Deposit Interest Rate for 2012
January 4, 2012
The 2012 interest rate on security and pet damage deposits is 0.0%.
The rate is set according to regulation part 1, section 4. The online deposit interest calculator has been updated for this year's rate.
If you would like to learn more about security and pet damage deposits, we invite you to read the fact sheets Security Deposits and Pet Damage Deposits and Returning the Security Deposit or Pet Damage Deposit.
LANDLORD TRAINING SESSIONS
Lower mainland locations. . . October 4, 5, 6, 2011
September 26, 2011
The Rental Owners and Managers Society of BC (ROMS), BC Apartment Owners and Managers Association (BCAOMA) and the Residential Tenancy Branch of BC (RTB) are proud to jointly present:
THE LANDLORD’S TOOLKIT
A full day, interactive workshop on tenant selection, tenancy management and dispute resolution. $79 for members of ROMS BC or BCAOMA; $99 for non-members.
REGISTER ONLINE: www.education2011.speedsurvey.com or
CALL: 1-888-330-6707.
Allowable Rent Increases for 2012
September 1, 2011
Conventional Residential Tenancies:
- For a conventional residential tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2012, the allowable increase is 4.3 per cent.
- The annual allowable rent increase for conventional residential tenancies is determined by the formula in the Residential Tenancy Regulation.
- Section 22 of the Residential Tenancy Regulation establishes the annual rent increase formula at inflation plus two per cent. The regulation defines the inflation rate as the “12-month average percent change in the all-items Consumer Price Index for British Columbia ending in the July that is most recently available”. The Consumer Price Index is published by Statistics Canada.
Manufactured Home Park Tenancies:
- For a manufactured home park tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2012, the allowable increase is 4.3 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.
- Section 32 of the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation establishes the annual rent increase formula at inflation plus two per cent plus a proportional amount. The regulation defines the inflation rate as the “12-month average percent change in the all-items Consumer Price Index for British Columbia ending in the July that is most recently available”. The Consumer Price Index is published by Statistics Canada.
- The Notice of Rent Increase – Manufactured Home Site (auto-calculating version) RTB-11A was updated with the 2012 increase on September 1, 2011.
Residential Tenancy Branch forms required for rent increases are available at 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.
New material regarding clarifications, corrections and review consideration of decisions.
July 18, 2011
The Residential Tenancy Branch has updated fact sheets, forms and policy guidelines about Clarifications, Corrections and Review Consideration of decisions made through the dispute resolution process. The law has not been changed in these areas – the new material clarifies information that is required for a successful application.
The Kelowna office was closed July 8th, 2011.
July 8, 2011
Due to an unforeseen facility issue our Kelowna office was closed (Friday, July 8, 2011). We re-opened on Monday, July 11th at 9:00 am. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Change to RTB Office Hours Effective July 4th, 2011
June 27, 2011
Effective Monday, July 4, 2011 Residential Tenancy Branch offices will be open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Fact sheets, forms and E-Service (for applying for dispute resolution) are always available on the Residential Tenancy Branch website, and may be accessed any time of the day or night.
To reach our 24 hour information line call:
Vancouver 604-660-1020
Victoria 250-387-1602
Toll-free from anywhere in BC 1-800-665-8779
All of our offices are closed on government holidays.
Mail strike
June 2, 2011
During the June disruption of service by Canada Post, the Residential Tenancy Branch changed its requirements for service of documents. The ability to serve all documents by courier and fax applied to that period only.
Now that Canada Post is delivering mail, the requirements at this link apply.
The following states the special allowances that were in effect for service requirements during the Canada Post disruption:
• Courier
• Fax transmission, when the party serving the documents can provide evidence to confirm the receiving party provided the fax number to them as a number to be used for the service of documents.
The person serving the documents should obtain receipts that show the documents were served on the other party. Acceptable proof would include a courier receipt showing it was delivered and/or a fax transmission report. It is also a good idea for the party serving documents to follow up with a phone call to the recipient confirming they have received the documents sent by fax.
In the event of a hearing, Dispute Resolution Officers will determine if parties have been sufficiently served with all pertinent documents related to individual disputes, in accordance with the above policy.
CORRECTION TO RTB PUBLICATION - A GUIDE FOR MANUFACTURED HOME PARK LANDLORDS AND TENANTS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA:
April 20, 2011
MHP GUIDE - PAGE 14, SECTION 7.2 (ADDITIONAL RENT INCREASE), PARAGRAPH FOUR, SECOND BULLET, THE LINE SHOULD READ: COMPLETED SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS OR RENOVATIONS THAT WILL NOT RECUR WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD.
The Victoria office has moved.
March 14, 2011
Effective Monday, March 14, 2011 the Victoria office is located at Suite 101 - 3350 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC, V8Z 3L1. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30.
New Fact Sheet comes with Decisions
February 24, 2011
A new fact sheet, called Now that you have your decision..., will be available with decisions issued by the Residential Tenancy Branch.
Deposit Interest Rate for 2011
January 4, 2011
The 2011 interest rate on security and pet damage deposits is 0.0%.
The rate is set according to regulation part1, section 4. The online deposit interest calculator has been updated for this year's rate.
If you would like to learn more about security and pet damage deposits, we invite you to read the fact sheets Security Deposits and Pet Damage Deposits and Returning the Security Deposit or Pet Damage Deposit.
Monetary Order Worksheet
December 10, 2010
A monetary order worksheet has been designed to assist you in presenting and submitting your evidence in a clear and organized manner. We encourage you to use the worksheet when submitting an application for a monetary order.
New Non-Profit Stakeholder Agency
September 30, 2010
To provide you with more specific assistance in creating successful tenancies, the Canadian Pest Management Association has been added to the "More Assistance for Landlords and Tenants" page.
Correction to RTB form Notice of Rent Increase – Manufactured Home Site (auto-calculating version) RTB-11A
September 21, 2010
The allowable rent increase amount for 2011 was announced on the RTB website at the end of August, 2010. The new inflationary increase amount (0.3%) was not updated in the auto-calculating version of the Notice of Rent Increase – Manufactured Home Site RTB-11A form until September 14, 2010. This means that if you used the auto-calculating form between August 30, 2010 and September 14, 2010, to notify tenants of a 2011 rent increase, you will need to re-issue the form to your tenants, using the updated version. Notice of a rent increase that takes effect in January 2011 must be given to tenants before the end of September 2010.
Residential Tenancy Branch forms required for rent increases are available at www.rto.gov.bc.ca/content/formsFees/default.aspx.
The Residential Tenancy Branch regrets any inconvenience that this may have caused for manufactured home park landlords and tenants.
Allowable Rent Increases for 2011
August 30, 2010
Conventional Residential Tenancies:
- For a conventional residential tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2011, the allowable increase is 2.3 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 2011, the allowable increase is 2.3 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 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.
Reminder - the Kelowna office has moved
May 12, 2010
The Kelowna office is now located at 305 - 478 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6N7. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30.
Direct Request Process
February 8, 2010
Direct request for an Order of Possession when rent is not paid. Information available:
Tenants and Landlords - Watch a video and learn about your rights and responsibilities
September 10, 2009
The video illustrates the various aspects of successful tenancies from the start to the end of a tenancy. The video was designed for new tenants. Professionals working with young adults are encouraged to view the video in small group settings or guide viewers to the site.
The video can be viewed in full or by topic segments.
