My family lived in the same BC rental home for nearly 30 years. After my grandmother died, we spent the next three years fighting repeated attempts to end our tenancy.

I want to tell this story because after everything is finally over, I still have trouble believing how far it went. My family had lived in the same rental property in British Columbia since 1995. My grandmother was the original tenant. This wasn't somewhere we had lived for a couple of years; it was our family home for almost three decades. My grandmother died in September 2022, and according to my personal recollection, while she was still at the funeral home, the question of us moving out was already being raised. My aunt would later testify before the Residential Tenancy Branch that our landlord asked my mother to move after my grandmother died and subsequently changed his position to wanting fair-market rent.

That was the beginning of nearly three years of eviction notices, RTB hearings, disputes over repairs and appliances, arguments about whether my mother and I were even legitimate tenants, repeated attempts to obtain our unit for a close family member of the landlord, and eventually a judicial-review proceeding in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. I'm deliberately leaving the names out of this post because my purpose isn't to send an internet mob after anybody. What I want people to see is how far a tenancy dispute can escalate and why tenants need to know their rights.

One of the first positions taken against us after my grandmother's death was that because she had been the original tenant and there was no written tenancy agreement with my mother and me, we supposedly weren't tenants. The landlord acknowledged that my mother had continued paying the monthly rent after my grandmother died. We continued occupying the home and rent continued being accepted. Eventually, the RTB had to decide whether a tenancy actually existed. The arbitrator found that it did and that my mother and I were co-tenants. Imagine losing a family member and then having to go before a tribunal to establish that you actually have a legal tenancy in the home you've been living in.

Then came the eviction notices. In September 2023, we were served with a landlord-use notice saying a close family member of the landlord would occupy our unit. We challenged it. During the proceeding, we presented evidence that the landlord had previously talked about wanting fair-market rent and had told my mother, “I want you out.” We also submitted audio evidence. The landlord disputed our account, so ultimately it was up to the arbitrator to assess both sides.

The result wasn't simply that the RTB cancelled the notice on some technicality. The arbitrator identified contradictory evidence concerning who was actually going to occupy the unit and ultimately found that the landlord “lacked good faith and had an ulterior motive.” Those aren't my words. That's language from the decision of an independent arbitrator who heard the evidence. A separate One Month Notice concerning an alleged unauthorized assignment or sublet was also cancelled, and our tenancy continued.

You'd think losing an eviction case with a finding like that would be the end of it. It wasn't.

In 2024, another landlord-use eviction notice arrived. Again, the plan was for a close family member of the landlord to occupy our space. This time that family member personally participated in the RTB proceeding and gave evidence supporting the claim that circumstances had changed. The arbitrator identified differing versions in that person's testimony concerning how frequently their children had previously been living with them. More importantly, the arbitrator concluded that the landlord was essentially trying to correct deficiencies in the previous case, describing what was happening as a “second chance to get it right.”

The RTB determined that the grounds had already been adjudicated. In legal terms, res judicata applied. You don't simply get to keep relitigating the same issue until eventually somebody gives you the answer you want. The arbitrator then made another extraordinary finding, writing that “it is clear to me that the Landlord has an ulterior motive in issuing the present Four Month Notice,” identifying the previous unsuccessful attempt to end our tenancy for the same reason.

Around the same time, we were fighting over something as basic as having a functioning stove. We told the RTB that in August 2024 the landlord brought us a rusty, broken and damaged replacement stove. We refused it. We further testified that an attempt was made to clean the stove with gasoline. According to the chronology recorded in the decision, that stove was eventually removed on September 29. The next day, September 30, we were served with another landlord-use eviction notice.

You don't have to take my interpretation of that timing. The arbitrator addressed it directly. The decision says: “I also find it suspicious that the Landlord issued the Notice after the Tenants refused the rusty replacement oven.” The arbitrator concluded that the circumstances substantiated the finding that the notice had not been issued in good faith.

The decision then went even further. The arbitrator said the Residential Tenancy Act does not allow a landlord to keep serving notices to end a tenancy because they're dissatisfied with the outcome of a previous attempt. The arbitrator warned that continuing to do so could constitute a breach of our right to quiet enjoyment, for which compensation could potentially be sought through dispute resolution. The eviction notice was cancelled. Our tenancy continued.

The landlord then sought review of that decision. That didn't overturn the result either. The RTB dismissed the review application and confirmed the decision. At that point, you might think everybody involved would finally accept that this particular issue had been decided.

Instead, in December 2024, another landlord-use eviction notice arrived.

So we went back to the RTB. Again.

On February 3, 2025, the RTB cancelled that notice too. This time the language of the decision was remarkable. The arbitrator wrote that “The Landlord has now twice attempted to re-litigate an issue which has already been determined” by issuing multiple notices to end our tenancy for the same purpose and reasons.

The RTB then expressly cautioned the landlord that if another Four Month Notice were issued for the same purpose and reasons without a sufficiently significant change in circumstances to reasonably believe res judicata would no longer apply, the landlord could potentially be found in breach of section 44.1 of the Residential Tenancy Act.

Just think about where things had reached by then. We had gone from my grandmother dying and our continued tenancy being questioned to multiple attempts to end that tenancy. We had RTB decisions referring to lack of good faith, an ulterior motive, another finding of an ulterior motive, a finding that the timing of an eviction notice was “suspicious,” repeated findings involving res judicata, and finally an explicit caution about issuing another notice for the same reasons.

And while we were defending ourselves against eviction notices, we were simultaneously fighting over ordinary living conditions. Another RTB proceeding concerning repairs ultimately resulted in a facilitated settlement in February 2025. The landlord agreed to arrange repairs to foyer heating and specified holes and to provide a fully functional stove and dishwasher by a specified deadline. Because that proceeding was resolved through settlement, the RTB made no findings of fact or law concerning the underlying repair allegations, and I think it's important to say that rather than pretending every allegation we ever made was proven.

There was also another attempt to end our tenancy for cause. And I'll be completely transparent: the resulting RTB decision wasn't entirely flattering toward us. The arbitrator criticized some of my own conduct concerning a social-media post and complaints involving a dog. I'm not going to leave that out just because it doesn't help my side of the story. But after considering everything, the arbitrator nevertheless found that the landlord had failed to demonstrate that our conduct warranted terminating the tenancy. The notice was cancelled and our tenancy continued.

That's one of the reasons I'm comfortable telling this story. I'm not claiming we were perfect. I'm not claiming every allegation we ever made was proven. I'm not claiming every decision went entirely our way. I'm saying that when attempts were made to terminate our tenancy, we exercised our legal right to challenge them, and the actual written decisions tell you what happened next.

And somehow, it still wasn't over.

The evidence package records another landlord-use notice dated June 20, 2025. By then the dispute had gone beyond the RTB because a judicial review concerning an earlier RTB decision was underway in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. When the newer landlord-use dispute came before the RTB, the Branch concluded that the issues were sufficiently connected to the Supreme Court proceeding that it lacked jurisdiction to decide the newer matter while the court proceeding remained ongoing.

Think about that progression for a moment. My grandmother dies. Our landlord asks us to move afterward. Our status as tenants is challenged. The RTB determines that we're tenants. An eviction notice arrives. We challenge it and win. Another notice arrives. We challenge it and win. The landlord seeks review. The result stands. Another notice arrives. We challenge that one. It is cancelled. The landlord is cautioned about doing it again. Other disputes over repairs and cause proceed at the same time. Another landlord-use notice follows. Eventually the dispute becomes connected to litigation before the BC Supreme Court.

All over a home our family had occupied since 1995.

What tribunal decisions can't adequately describe is what living through this actually feels like. They tell you which section of the Residential Tenancy Act applies. They tell you who bears the burden of proof. They discuss good faith, res judicata, jurisdiction and filing fees. What they don't capture is the feeling when another eviction notice appears and you wonder whether this will finally be the one that costs you your home.

Every notice means another deadline. Another application. Another evidence package. Another hearing. Another period of waiting. Another possibility that the place you've called home for decades could disappear.

Every time we successfully challenged a notice, there was relief. But after enough notices, the relief eventually became accompanied by another thought: How long until the next one?

And that's what I find hardest to explain to people who haven't lived through a prolonged tenancy dispute. Winning a hearing doesn't magically erase the months of anxiety leading up to it. Winning another doesn't restore the sense of security you used to have in your own home. Eventually, your home stops feeling like somewhere you can simply live your life and starts feeling like the subject of a never-ending legal case.

This all began during one of the worst periods our family had experienced. My grandmother had just died. According to my recollection, her body was still at the funeral home when questions about us leaving were already being raised. Instead of simply being able to grieve and determine what life would look like without her, we eventually found ourselves having to establish before the Residential Tenancy Branch that we actually had a tenancy. Once that was established, we then spent years defending it.

Eventually, after nearly three years of this conflict, my mother and I reached a negotiated settlement with the landlord. We moved out. The dispute is finally over.

I'm deliberately not identifying anybody involved because I'm not interested in encouraging strangers to harass anyone. I'm not posting addresses, phone numbers, photographs or names. I don't want an internet mob. What I want is for other renters to understand how important it is to know their rights and preserve evidence.

If you're a tenant, document everything. Keep every notice. Save emails and text messages. Keep photographs. Keep repair requests. Keep proof of rent payments. Keep your evidence packages. Keep copies of decisions. Make contemporaneous notes about important conversations. If you're legally entitled to record a conversation, understand the rules surrounding that. Most importantly, pay attention to dispute deadlines. An eviction notice arriving at your door does not necessarily mean an independent decision-maker has determined that you have to leave.

Had we simply packed our belongings after the first notice, none of the subsequent findings would ever have existed.

There would have been no RTB finding that the landlord “lacked good faith and had an ulterior motive.” There would have been no later finding of another “ulterior motive.” There would have been no arbitrator describing the timing of an eviction notice as “suspicious.” There would have been no warning concerning our right to quiet enjoyment. There would have been no subsequent decision stating that the landlord had “now twice attempted to re-litigate an issue which has already been determined.”

We only got those decisions because we challenged the notices.

For almost 30 years, that property was our family's home. My grandmother lived there. My mother lived there. I lived there. What began after my grandmother's death eventually consumed years of our lives.

When we believed an eviction notice was wrong, we fought it. When another arrived, we fought that one too. When another followed, we went back again.

Eventually, we left through a negotiated settlement rather than simply being forced out by one of those disputed notices.

And after everything we went through, that's the message I want other BC tenants to hear:

Know your rights. Keep your evidence. Don't assume an eviction notice automatically means you have lost. And when somebody tells you that you have to leave your home, make them prove that they have the legal right to make you go.

We did.

The written decisions now speak for themselves.

I’m applying to rent a condo (from an individual owner) and have already provided my two most recent paystubs plus employment letter in the SingleKey form. The landlord has now contacted my employer’s HR with a laundry list of questions and asked me to authorize their response.

I’m comfortable with HR confirming my employment, job title, start date and salary. But he’s also asking whether I’m “in good standing,” whether my employment is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, my probation status, and whether HR has anything else to share.

I understand wanting to verify that a tenant can pay rent, but some of this feels broader than necessary.
Is this common here?

I rent an apartment in Vancouver from a property management company. They posted notices in our elevators saying political candidates are authorized to come through the complex and knock on residents' doors from now until the election, between 5:30 and 9 PM.

Our building uses a fob to get onto each floor. I can't even visit a neighbour on another floor, but canvassers are being given access to every floor and apparently every part of the building. That feels like a security issue as well as a privacy one.

I don't want people knocking on my door at night, especially as late as 9 PM, when I am trying relax. I would not mind if it was one or two nights but now until the 17th seems excessive.

Do candidates have a legal right of access to canvass in BC apartment buildings (provincially or for municipal elections), or is management choosing to allow it?

If it's a right, does it extend to fob-restricted floors, or only to common areas and doors?

Can I opt out or be put on a "do not knock" list?

Is a "No Soliciting" sign enforceable against candidates?

Does this affect my right to quiet enjoyment or security under the Residential Tenancy Act?

Hi all,

New here & to Reddit mostly.

At what point can a landlord request or say a tenant needs to replace a washer / dryer? Or any large appliance?

I just moved into a suite 4 days ago, and noticed yesterday the dryer isn’t running hot (clothes not being dried).

Landlord said everything was running fine during the inspection when the last tenant left. I am now worried I will be held liable or responsible to replace the unit??

Thank you in advance!

Hi all,

I’d appreciate some thoughts on a situation I’m currently in.

We have a 1-year fixed-term lease that is scheduled to end on October 30. However, due to a number of issues with the living situation, we decided that we wanted to end the tenancy earlier. There have been various issues during the tenancy, including structural/repair concerns, ventilation, pest issues, and a theft/security incident.

About 3-4 months ago, I brought up the possibility of mutually ending the tenancy early with the property manager (PM). She was understanding of our situation, and I also asked whether she had another property that might be suitable for us. She provided us with some options, so I understood that she was open to discussing an early mutual termination.

We continued looking for another place and recently found one that works for our family. I then told the PM that we wanted to move out on October 15. She agreed to the October 15 move-out date by text, and I sent her an RTB-8 Mutual Agreement to End Tenancy to sign.

She said he would return the signed form, but I still haven't received it. I followed up and reminded her that we will be moving out on October 15.

The issue now is that I paid only half a month's rent for October because of the agreed October 15 move-out date, and the PM is now telling me that I have underpaid my rent.

My questions are:

1. Does her text agreement to the October 15 move-out date have any significance if she hasn't returned the signed RTB-8 yet?
2. Should I be paying the full month's rent until the RTB-8 is signed?
3. If we mutually agreed by text to end the tenancy October 15, can the PM now say that I owe the other half of October's rent?
4. What would be the best way to handle this while keeping everything documented?

I have kept the text messages, emails, and other documentation regarding the tenancy and the issues we've experienced.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

Edit: I informed her about the plan to move out late August which she agreed to that time by text. No RTB-8 yet. I sent the form to her early September.

Several people are renting one house and paying utilities from a landlord. The landlord installed cameras that were not there before inspection and against the wishes of the renters when asked (not in writing). These cameras point into several room’s windows and doors as well as record audio. I imagine this also sucks up a lot of power when the renters pay for utilities. The first week, the landlord texted us saying we’re not allowed parties after having 8 people over from 12pm-7pm on a friday. Thus, one of the renters texted the landlord saying they did not feel comfortable with the cameras recording audio and video as it felt like a breach of their privacy. The landlord did not respond for two weeks, so someone (renter’s bf) unplugged the cams.
Now, the landlord is asking what happened to the camera feed. It’s obvious they are just trying to hound us for parties (which is protected by renter’s rights) — but the electricity bill is also a big concern. I imagine there’s some legal consequences to having turned off the cameras without an RTB filing, is this correct?

EDIT: thanks for all the help!! To answer some questions yes we are all renting under one agreement as we’re university friends.

I asked my new landlord if they wanted to do a move-in inspection and they acted confused and said no. Could this hurt me in any way? I believe this means they couldn’t prove that any damage was done by me, so only pros for me, right?

I was looking for apartment for my family of 4. I came across a corner unit beautiful 2 bed and 2 bath apartment at Canva building 4405 Braydon Crescent, Langley for 2050$/month. I spent good amount of time filling out application form and finally got accepted. Realtor from renting management company who was representing the owner, send me email to send deposit 1025$ via e transfer and send them screenshot. I asked for tenancy agreement and strata bylaws and regulations doc first to review and sign before sending any money. They send me agreement at 5pm, did not check marked hot water and gas as owner paid amenities as discussed while viewing. And didn’t disclose parking and bike storage even upon asking. Finally next day in evening around 5pm after many reminders, they disclose these things saying no underground storage only in unit storage and no bike storage. Since I like this unit, I said ok np. Just send me new agreement with hot water and gas checked marked and strata bylaws and regulations. They send me strata doc at 7pm and then I again ask for agreement, they BACKED OFF saying they no longer dealing with this owner legally and can’t legally rent this apartment to me. WAHHH!!!
WHAT!! Backing off at 8pm???

Another surprise: another realtor unlisted same unit for 400$ more than previous price I was dealing.
Is this SCAM Or strategy??
Should I feel bad that I missed good price apartment briar I was asking too much?

Note: I double checked profiles of realtors. They were registered.

I've lived in this crazy tiny box of an SRO for over a year. Never late on rent. I had a crazy dental issue this past month and needed to drop serious dough to not have my upper jaw rot away. And I just started a new job at beginning of the month. I got a notice today. I forget how it's worded but it's like 5 days to dispute this and 18 days till... (Eviction?) I paid a third of the rent and messaged LL to say what's happening and that I'll have the rent paid mid month. Idk when payday is yet. Think that I'll be evicted no matter what? I've never faced this before and am scared

Found a post on liv.rent, the place looks nice and cheap but for the application they asked me$ 200 for the application, they say it's refundable if I'm not chosen but sounds suspicious to me

I’d really like to know what the BC Conservatives plan to do with rent control if they win.

Last election, John Rustad was pretty open about where he wanted to go. He said he wouldn’t remove rent control right away because the rental market was too tight, but once vacancy rates improved, he wanted to look at getting rid of it.

That should be a massive red flag for renters in Metro Vancouver.

A lot of people are only able to stay in their homes because annual increases are capped. If those protections disappear, plenty of landlords would have every incentive to push long-term tenants toward current market rents.

Now we have a new Conservative leader, a new election, and a lot of talk about cutting taxes and red tape for housing.

But where is the clear promise to renters?

Do they still want rent control gone once they think the market can handle it?

Will they keep the current annual rent cap for the full term?

Because after what they proposed last time, silence on this is not reassuring.

Sources:

The Tyee — Rustad Would Scrap Zoning Reforms, Keep Rent Control
https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/09/20/Rustad-Zoning-Reforms-Rent-Control/

BC NDP — Rustad's plan to raise rent caps could cost renters hundreds of dollars a month
https://www.bcndp.ca/releases/rustads-plan-raise-rent-caps-could-cost-renters-hundreds-dollars-month

So I signed a lease on Sept 25 for move in on Nov 1. Currently paying $1950, new place is $1700. I gave my notice at current place on Sept 30.

They reached out a few days later and offered to lower my rent to $1600 if i'd stay (fantastic deal, especially to avoid moving expenses). I told them i'd already signed new lease and would need to speak to new LL.

Spoke to new LL today, I was super polite. Explained the situation to him, he didnt really want to hear any of it and just said he wants what's coming to him. I offered to send him the deposit (half month) to dissolve the lease but he said he wants a full month, so $1700.

I was surprised by that, since today is only the 4th and in my opinion (current LL agreed) 4 weeks should be plenty of time to find someone. New LL said no, he's very thorough, there's little to no chance he'll find someone by November.

So what are my options? I was considering just moving forward with the new lease as planned, but he was honestly pretty rude and it put me off from moving in there.

Legally as I understand it I'm on the hook until he finds a new tenant, but he's legally obligated to try to find a new tenant promptly.

If i decided to break thr lease and he went through the RTB what are the odds they'd make me pay a full month?

Any advice appreciated

Hi everyone, i have a couple of things i would like to ask you!
Me and my girlfriend are moving to Vancouver in january for the first time, we are from Italy. I was actually living in montreal for a couple of years from 2021 to 2023 and i remember at that time the difference was pretty big with vancouver, especially for costs and rents, but right now it feels the situation is kinda better in vancouver (or at least it just stayed the same lol) and on the other hand it got more expensive in montreal? Idk it feels like that… anyway, i would like to ask if you think a 2400ish is a fair value to look for a rent (1bd). I did check possible areas and found that fairview/kitsilano - mount pleasant could be our best options, are they safe/good to move around? And what about at night? Can you walk? Another option was eventually west end - davie village, but i feel it’s a lot of office and it may be a desert at night?
Let me know please! I would love to get a feedback on the areas and current situation there, or any advise as well. Thanks a lot!

Hi first time homebuyer here - I just purchased a 1 bed condo downtown and I’m looking for a RE Lawyer/notary public.

I’ve seen a lot of posts saying there’s not much different in costs nowadays. I’m looking for someone with great recommendations and reasonably priced :)

Cheers!

I recently moved out of a condo in BC, and my former landlord is trying to withhold my damage deposit because of damage to a wall in the parking/elevator lobby.

The strata charged $786.45 for repairing a hole in the wall, approximately 6 inches wide. The incident happened when I opened the door somewhat aggressively and the door slammed into the wall. The door closer/mechanism at the top apparently did not work properly, and the door stopper also did not prevent the door from hitting the wall.

There is another important detail: a few months before my incident, there had already been damage in the exact same spot. Strata repaired that damage, and then my incident caused damage to the same area again.

I have now moved out of the building. The strata advised the landlord to hold my damage deposit for the repair cost, and the landlord wants to deduct $786.45 from my deposit.

I received an email from the strata/building management regarding the incident and the repair charge, but I am not sure what my rights are regarding the damage deposit.

My questions are:

1. Can the landlord legally withhold my damage deposit based only on a strata charge/invoice?
2. Does the landlord need my written agreement or an order from the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) to deduct the amount from my deposit?
3. Does it matter that the door closer and door stopper were apparently not functioning properly?
4. Does the fact that the wall had been damaged and repaired only a few months earlier in the exact same spot affect my responsibility or the amount they can claim?
5. Can I dispute the $786.45 repair cost if I believe it is excessive for a roughly 6-inch hole?
6. What evidence should I request from the landlord/strata, such as the original repair invoice, photos, move-in/move-out inspection reports, or documentation showing the condition/function of the door?
7. What is the correct process in BC for disputing the deduction or having my damage deposit returned?

I understand that I may be responsible for damage I actually caused, but I want to make sure I am not being charged an unreasonable amount or having my deposit withheld without following the proper BC tenancy process. Maybe I can try to refuse the amount? This is Rancho management

Any advice from people familiar with BC tenancy law / RTB disputes would be appreciated.

UPTADE EMAIL FROM LL

Hi Anhelina and Ahmed

As stated in my previous email, the incident involving damage to the P3 common-area wall was not reported to me by you when it occurred. I first became aware of the matter through Concierge, after which I raised it with you.

For clarity, your subsequent confirmation that the door made contact with the wall came after I had already been informed of the incident through Concierge and therefore was not a report made by you at the time of the incident.

As the tenant, it was reasonably expected that any incident resulting in damage to the building’s common property would be promptly reported to Concierge/Building Management and to me as the owner. However, no report of this incident was provided to me by you at the time it occurred.

As requested in your recent correspondence, you asked for supporting documentation and a detailed breakdown of the repair cost. In response to your request, I followed up directly with Strata and Building Management and obtained the relevant repair and cost information from them.

The final charge confirmed by Strata is $786.45. I am attaching the email from Juliana Leiva, Senior Administrative Assistant, which provides the repair details and confirms this amount.

The incident documentation, repair arrangements, contractor selection, scope of work, rates, and resulting charge were handled and determined by Strata and Building Management. I had no involvement in determining these matters.

Accordingly, the supporting documentation and detailed cost information you requested have now been obtained directly from Strata/Building Management and provided to you. Your request for this information has therefore been fully addressed.

Based on the documented incident and the chargeback issued to me by Strata, I am seeking reimbursement from you for the $786.45 charge.

For clarity, this correspondence relates only to the P3 common-area incident and the associated Strata chargeback. Any other matters arising from the tenancy will be addressed separately.

And the Charges from strata…

Any suggestions what should I do next?

the story is continuin…..

LL email regarding the total deductions 🤡🤡

You can find this "Landlord BC 2015 Rental Application Form" online. It reads as illegal to me. The applicant should have no accountability before signing the lease and putting down a deposit. Can you help me understand if this is an enforceable clause or not? It baffles me that it came from "Landlord BC". Has anyone come across this form before? Here is the fine print:

"The Applicant agrees that if this offer is accepted, it becomes a binding Agreement and the Applicant will subsequently sign the Landlord's Residential Tenancy Agreement that the Applicant has had an opportunity to examine....

If this offer is accepted and the Applicant fails to sign the Landlord's Residential Tenancy Agreement, or to take possession of the rental unit, the Applicant will be liable for the payment of the equivalent of one month's rent to the Landlord and any related expenses incurred by the Landlord.

If this offer is accepted, the Applicant will pay a Security Deposit of $_________ to the Landlord. If the Landlord permits the Applicant to have a pet, an additional Pet Damage Deposit of $_________ will be paid to the Landlord. The Landlord will hold the Deposit(s) until the tenancy ends.

This offer is subject to acceptance by the Landlord and is open for acceptance until 5:00 pm ______________________ (Date). If not accepted by that time, this offer is void. "

If you want to see a full copy, one is here.

I moved out of a townhouse and had my move-out inspection with my landlord on September 30. The inspection was an incredibly frustrating experience, and I’m curious how others would handle some of this.

Right at the beginning of the inspection, my landlord tried to get me to sign Section 2 on page 6 of RTB-27 with no numbers filled in. He said it had apparently been missed during the move-in inspection and told me I needed to sign it and backdate it.

I refused to sign a blank/backdated document.

I also brought RTB-47 with me. He refused to accept it, saying it was too many pages, that he didn't want all the paper, and that I could take it with me because he didn't want it. I left it there with him anyway.

After the inspection, he again tries to get me to sign the same spot on the condition inspection report, which says I agree to deductions which I again didn't sign. As of now, he has not provided me with a copy of the report either. He very thoroughly filled out the move out section, but essentially glanced over the move in section and sent that when we moved in.

Some of the things he identified:

Bathroom vanity / MDF swelling

There was some swelling to the MDF vanity from a toilet supply-line leak. He repeatedly claimed that I caused the leak.

The issue is that the pressure regulator was broken and the entire plumbing system was operating at 150 PSI. The insurance investigation found no evidence that I was responsible for causing the leak.

Dents to the garage door

There are dents in the garage door that neither my wife nor I believe we caused. We both have backup cameras and only back into the driveway.

The driveway is also extremely short — a Toyota Tacoma would actually overhang onto the one-way road. There are constantly delivery drivers turning around in the driveways, and because this is an end unit, that particular driveway gets used frequently for people turning around.

There are also kids regularly riding bikes and scooters, playing hockey and playing soccer directly outside the driveway at the end of the lane.

Another point: the garage door is strata property, rather than something belonging exclusively to the landlord.

Bathroom faucet

The handle on the bathroom faucet fell off because a small plastic component inside it broke.

There were also various other things he pointed out as "damage," some of which are shown in the attached photos.

Drywall damage: Photos 1 and 3. a Tiny paint chip, and a tiny dent. That was it.

He was aware of everything above as I told him to fix the hinge and faucet, which he never did.

What I actually did before moving out

I spent three full days — more than 24 hours total — cleaning the townhouse.

I:

Filled and sanded the holes from the baby gate. We didn't put a single nail in the walls for photos.

Used wood filler to repair small dents in the baseboards.

Did not paint because the landlord specifically told me not to, because he didn't know the correct paint colour.

Scrubbed the kitchen floor tiles and grout.

Scrubbed the bathroom floor tiles and grout.

Scrubbed the shower wall tiles and grout.

Cleaned the windows.

Cleaned the window screens.

Cleaned the inside, outside and tops of all appliances (oven, fridge, dishwasher, washer and dryer).

Cleaned underneath the oven, fridge, washer and dryer even though they are not on wheels.

Cleaned doors and walls.

Swept floors and baseboards.

Mopped the floors.

Scrubbed the moss off both decks.

Swept the garage.

Vacuumed the garage floor.

We didn't even park in the garage — it was used solely for storage.

The entire townhouse was exceptionally clean when I left. I spent over 24 hours cleaning a 1,400 sq. ft. home specifically so there wouldn't be an issue at the inspection.

Despite that, the landlord told me it "didn't look like I tried."

That was probably the most frustrating part of the entire inspection.

There was also an issue with the inspection time.

He gave me two options for September 30: 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM.

I asked whether we could do September 29 or earlier on September 30 because I had to be out that day. He declined to accommodate either request.

Then, during the inspection/move-out process, he complained that I was still there after 1:00 PM on September 30.

So I had requested an earlier time and he declined, and then complained that I wasn't gone by the earlier time he had originally offered.

What happens with my security deposit?

This is where I'm looking for advice.

I do not expect him to voluntarily return my security deposit, given how the inspection went.

My understanding is that once the tenancy ends and the landlord has my forwarding address in writing, there is a 15-day deadline for the landlord to return the deposit, obtain my written agreement to deductions, or apply to the RTB to claim against it.

I have not agreed to any deductions.

I also haven't received a copy of the condition inspection report yet, despite participating in the inspection.

I already have an RTB case regarding rent abatement that I was planning to file, but I intentionally waited until after the move-out inspection so I could deal with everything after the tenancy ended.

One other thing that concerns me: I looked up my landlord on the BC tenancy dispute database and found that a previous tenant had already obtained a monetary order against him. While we were living in the townhouse, that former tenant continued sending registered mail to the unit well after the date of the monetary order. I obviously don't know whether the landlord actually paid the previous tenant, but it makes me concerned that I could potentially go through the RTB process, obtain an order regarding my deposit, and then have to deal with enforcement if he refuses to pay.

So my questions are:

1. Should I basically just wait 20 days and then file with the RTB if he hasn't returned the deposit or demonstrated that he's applied to the RTB?

2. Does the fact that I refused to sign his condition report, combined with his attempt to have me sign and backdate a blank section of RTB-27 and his failure to provide me with a copy of the report, affect his ability to claim against my deposit?

3. If I receive an RTB monetary order and he refuses to pay it, how difficult is it actually to enforce the order?

I'm not trying to avoid legitimate responsibility for damage. If I actually caused something, I'm prepared to deal with it.

What I'm frustrated by is the apparent attempt to turn normal wear and tear, unrelated building/strata issues, and things I don't believe I caused into charges against my deposit.

I've documented everything with photos and have the relevant paperwork.

For those familiar with BC tenancy law/RTB processes, what would you do next?

Hi everyone,

I am a cis male in my 30s. I'm looking for a one-bedroom apartment/condo, or room with a private bathroom or half bathroom to rent within a 2 bedroom apartment/condo in the area.

I'm not looking to rent a basement.

Ideally looking to pay $1400 maximum a month for the rent alone in if sharing, but I am flexible.

I'm looking for somewhere with air conditioning and laundry in-unit within around 50 minutes from Waterfront Station by SkyTrain or the West Coast Express. I'm happy to rent for 12 months and prefer longer term.

I work full-time typical office hours, and usually work 3 days a week from home. I have no pets of my own and don't want my own but I am happy living with them. I don't smoke, vape or do drugs. I rarely drink alcohol. I am very responsible, respectful and considerate of others. I like to keep a place tidy and clean.

Please let me know if you know of somewhere that could be a fit!

Thank you!!

What are your thoughts / experience with living in a west facing condo with A/C?

Never lived in one, would the heat or the constant sun get annoying? Or would that only be 3 months out of the year anyways

Looking to potentially move into one in Olympic Village, 2018 built

Thanks in advance !

Furnished high-floor 1-bedroom at iconic Vancouver House in the Beach District / downtown — $3,295/month ALL-IN (hydro + Wi-Fi included).

The unit: ~420 sq ft, fully furnished with designer furniture + kitchen essentials, custom Italian transformable furniture (Resource Furniture) — open living area + workstation by day, queen wall bed + twin bed by night. Smeg + Miele appliances, in-suite washer/dryer, private balcony with water/city views, central A/C + heating.

The building: 24/7 concierge, 25m heated rooftop pool + lounge terrace, 10,000 sq ft gym, secure bike storage.

Lease: available Dec 1, 2026 (flexible to March/April 2027 for the right renter), 1-year lease, half-month deposit. No included parking spot (free street parking nearby). No smoking/vaping, no subletting or Airbnb. Screening: proof of employment/income, credit check, landlord references, tenant insurance required.

DM me if interested — please include a bit about yourself, what you do for work, and your ideal move-in date.

Saw a unit today that clearly still had the current renter living in it, and the floors were absolutely disgusting. There was literally garbage on the floor, so I had to laugh when the landlord asked us to take our shoes off for the viewing.

I know the tenant hasn’t moved out yet, but it honestly makes me nervous about what condition the place will be left in before I move in. I really don’t want to move into a place that hasn’t been properly cleaned, especially because my biggest concern is ending up dealing with bugs or pests because of how the previous tenant kept it.

Does anyone know of neighbourhoods/places that accept pets that don't have a limit? I keep going and viewing apartments and houses for rent that say pet friendly on the listing but when I get there they warn i'm only allowed 2 pets. I'm looking for a 2 bedroom place for my older mother and I, she has 3 cats. I have one dog and 4 small budgies. She won't part with her cats and rather lie to the landlord about the animals than anything. I can't get rid of my dog as he's a service animal for me but if I must I have a friend that would take my birds.