Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

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Types of Evictions

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
There are various kinds of evictions, such as for unpaid rent or for a major renovation. Find out how much notice a landlord needs to give to end a tenancy, and how much time a tenant has to dispute the eviction and apply for dispute resolution.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Tenancy Agreements

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
Landlords are required to prepare a written agreement for every tenancy. Even if a landlord doesn’t prepare one, the standard terms of a tenancy agreement still apply. Read more about what should be included and download forms (right-hand column).
Last reviewed March 2024
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Start a New Tenancy

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or landlord when starting a tenancy. There are rules about screening tenants, security deposits, move-in inspections, tenancy agreements, and changing locks and keys.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Past Tenancy Dispute Resolution Decisions

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
Explains past tenancy dispute decisions can be viewed online. Reviewing past decisions will give you insight into what’s likely to happen if you submit an application for dispute resolution. Find out if the RTB has already heard and made a decision on a similar issue by searching past decisions.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Rent Increases

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
Explains landlords can only increase rent if they provide tenants with at least three full months notice. Rent can only be increased once every 12 months and must be within the yearly rent increase limit, as set by the RTB. Topics covered include when rent can be increased, and how to dispute unlawful rent increases.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Tenancy Forms

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
Forms are grouped by topic: starting a tenancy, rent increases, dispute resolution, dispute resolution decisions and orders, ending a tenancy, and condition inspection. Forms listed alphabetically and by number are also available.
Last reviewed March 2024
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End a Tenancy

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
Explains that landlords and tenants must end tenancies lawfully. Learn about landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities when ending a tenancy. Other topics include options for tenants to end a tenancy, evictions, mutual agreement to end a tenancy, special circumstances to end a tenancy, breaking a lease, and more.
Last reviewed March 2024
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During a Tenancy

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
Information for landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities during a tenancy. Covers topics such as rent increases, repairs, landlord’s access to rental properties, possession of the rental unit, quiet enjoyment, changes to the tenancy agreement, serving notices, etc. Includes forms.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Tenancy Dispute Resolution

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
Information about the dispute resolution process. Includes links to the online application.
Last reviewed March 2024
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Tenancy Calculators

Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC)
Find deadlines or calculations for tenancies under the RTA: interest on security deposits, the last date a landlord must return the tenant’s security or pet damage deposit(s), when a landlord can increase rent and the max allowable, when a landlord can apply to the RTB for an order of possession.
Last reviewed March 2024