Evicting a Tenant in BC: Legal Steps and RTB Forms

Here’s a clear breakdown of the legal steps and required RTB forms to evict a tenant in British Columbia:

1- Determine the Legal Reason & Notice Period

Under the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), valid reasons fall into these main categories (and notice periods):

✔ Non-payment of rent/utilities – 10‑Day Notice using RTB Form 30

✔ Tenant has 5 days to pay or dispute; if not, landlord may apply for an Order of Possession by direct request .

✔ Cause (e.g., damage, disturbance, breach) – 1-Month Notice via RTB Form 33; tenant has 10 days to dispute .

✔ Subsidized housing ineligibility – 2-Month Notice via RTB Form 32Q; disputable within 15 days.

✔ Landlord or purchaser’s personal or family occupancy – 3-Month Notice using the RTB web portal (Form 32L for landlord use or Form 32P for purchaser use); tenant has 21 days to dispute.

✔ Demolition, conversion, caretaker use, major renovations – 4-Month Notice via RTB Form 29, or – for major renovations – landlord must apply for dispute resolution rather than serve notice; tenant has 30 days to respond.

✔ Manufactured home park conversion – 12-Month Notice using RTB Form 31; tenant has 15 days to dispute.

2. Serve Notice Properly & Keep Proof

✔ Notice must be in writing, using the correct RTB form, including: sign/date, rental address, effective date, and clear legal reason .

✔ Served via: personal delivery, mail, mail slot, or provincial announcement; email only if tenant consented. Save proof — use RTB Form 34: Proof of Service .

3. Dispute Resolution & Direct Request Process

✔ Tenants must file for dispute resolution before the deadline (varies by notice type).

✔ For 10‑Day Notices, if tenant doesn’t pay or dispute, the landlord can use RTB’s Direct Request to seek an Order of Possession without a hearing .

4. Obtaining & Enforcing an Order of Possession

✔ If the tenant doesn’t dispute or loses the hearing, RTB grants an Order of Possession.

✔ Serve the order to tenant, wait 2 days (for review request window), then apply for a Writ of Possession through BC Supreme Court .

✔ Hire a court bailiff to physically enforce eviction .

5. RTB Forms You’ll Need

📌Purpose Form

📌10‑Day notice (rent/utilities) RTB Form 30

📌1‑Month notice (cause) RTB Form 33

📌2‑Month notice (subsidized ineligibility) RTB Form 32Q

📌3‑Month notice (landlord/purchaser occupancy) Form 32L / 32P via RTB web portal

📌4‑Month notice (demolition/renovation/etc.) RTB Form 29 (or portal for caretaker)

📌12‑Month notice (manufactured home conversion) RTB Form 31

📌Proof of service RTB Form 34

📌(Optional) Tenant’s Form 28 to exercise Right of First Refusal after renovations 

Important Notes:

✅ Notices must use official RTB forms or portal notices — anything else may be invalid.

✅ Always include Proof of Service (Form 34).

✅ For major renovations, landlord must apply for permission through RTB — they can’t simply issue a notice without a hearing.

✅ If tenant disputes, attend the RTB hearing and present evidence; only then will Order of Possession be issued.

Consult with Vancouver Lawyers and Immigration Consultants