British Columbia (BC) eviction guide
Quick answer
In BC, a landlord can serve a 10-Day Notice for unpaid rent (RTB Form 30); the tenant has 5 days to dispute. If unchallenged, the landlord applies via the RTB Direct Request process (fee $100) for an Order of Possession. The Residential Tenancy Branch governs the process, and a court-approved bailiff enforces any order.
| Legal grounds | Unpaid rent or utilities, non-compliance with tenancy agreement or RTA, landlord or purchaser occupancy, demolition or conversion, major renovations |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 10 days (RTB Form 30, unpaid rent); 1 month (RTB Form 33, cause/non-compliance); 3 months (landlord or purchaser occupancy) |
| Where to file | Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) |
| Filing fee | $100 (dispute resolution or direct request application) |
| Typical timeframe | 2 to 8 weeks for non-payment (direct request); 2 to 4 months for disputed hearings |
Tenant has 5 days from receipt to dispute by applying to the RTB; if no dispute is filed the landlord may proceed with a direct request for an Order of Possession.
Used for non-compliance with the tenancy agreement or RTA obligations; tenant has 10 days to dispute.
Landlord or purchaser must genuinely intend to occupy the unit; tenant has 21 days to dispute.
Requires RTB application and hearing when the tenant disputes; tenant has 30 days to file a dispute.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve the written RTB notice form | Day 1 | Use the correct RTB form, sign and date it, and deliver it in person, by mail, or by posting on the rental unit door. |
| 2. Wait for the tenant dispute window to close | 5 days (unpaid rent notice) to 30 days (demolition notice) | If the tenant files a dispute application the matter proceeds to a full RTB hearing; if not, the landlord may proceed to the direct request process. |
| 3. File a Direct Request or Dispute Resolution application with the RTB | After dispute window closes or as needed | Pay the $100 filing fee; a Direct Request for an Order of Possession is available when the tenant does not dispute the 10-day notice. |
| 4. Attend RTB hearing (if disputed) | Within 12 days (emergency); 2 to 4 months (standard) | Both parties present evidence by phone or video; the RTB arbitrator issues a written decision. |
| 5. Obtain and register the Order of Possession | After RTB decision | File the RTB Order of Possession in BC Supreme Court to obtain a Writ of Possession, which authorizes enforcement. |
| 6. Hire a court-approved bailiff to enforce | After Writ of Possession issued | Only a court-approved bailiff can physically remove the tenant; the landlord must not touch the tenant's belongings or bar entry before the bailiff acts. |
The RTB application fee is $100 for both dispute resolution and direct request applications. Additional costs include BC Supreme Court filing fees to register the Writ of Possession and the bailiff's enforcement fee.
After the RTB issues an Order of Possession, the landlord registers it in BC Supreme Court to obtain a Writ of Possession, and a court-approved bailiff carries out the physical eviction. Self-help eviction including changing locks, removing the tenant's property, or denying access is illegal under the Residential Tenancy Act and can result in an RTB order requiring the landlord to pay compensation to the tenant.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Residential Tenancy Act, S.B.C. 2002, c. 78. Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
British Columbia eviction FAQ
The landlord must give a 10-Day Notice (RTB Form 30) and the tenant has 5 days from receipt to file a dispute with the RTB.
The application fee is $100 for both a Direct Request and a full dispute resolution application.
Yes, if the tenant pays all outstanding rent before the landlord files a Direct Request or dispute application, the notice is cancelled.
Only a court-approved bailiff acting on a Writ of Possession can physically remove a tenant; the police can assist to keep the peace but do not independently execute evictions.
An uncontested non-payment eviction via the Direct Request process can be resolved in 2 to 4 weeks; a fully disputed eviction hearing typically takes 2 to 4 months.
Revun screens tenants, automates rent reminders, and logs every notice, so fewer tenancies ever reach court.
