🛡️ Tenant Power Cheat Sheet (BC 2026 Edition)
A Resilient Housing Communities Project (YVR) x @TANets
1. The 2026 Rent Cap: 2.3%
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- The Limit: Your landlord can only increase your rent by 2.3% this year.
- The Notice: They must give you 3 full months’ written notice on the official RTB-7 form.
- Frequency: Only once every 12 months.
2. Eviction “Rules of Engagement”
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- Landlord Moving In? They must give you 3 months’ notice and one month of free rent. They must move in for at least 12 months, or they owe you 12 months’ rent in compensation.
- Bad Faith Check: All personal-use evictions must now be generated through the BC Landlord Use Web Portal. A handwritten note is not a legal eviction.
- Don’t Sign Anything: If you are handed an “Agreement to End Tenancy” (Form RTB-8), you are not required to sign it. Signing it means you are leaving voluntarily and usually lose your right to compensation.
3. Repairs: The Paper Trail
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- Step 1: Request the repair in writing (text/email is okay, but a letter is better).
- Step 2: If ignored, write a “Formal Request for Repairs.”
- Step 3: Apply for Dispute Resolution if the issue affects your safety or health.
- Emergency? If it’s a total loss of heat, water, or a major flood, you can pay for the repair and seek reimbursement—but keep every receipt!
4. Deposits: The 15-Day Clock
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- The Law: Once you move out and give your landlord your forwarding address in writing, they have 15 days to return your deposit or apply to the RTB to keep it.
- The Penalty: If they miss the deadline, you can apply for double your deposit back.
5. Need Help Right Now?
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- TRAC Infoline: 1-800-665-1185
- RTB Dispute Portal: tenancydispute.gov.bc.ca
- Advocacy: Reach out to the Vancouver Tenants Union (VTU) or @TANets for community support.
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HEREÂ FOR PRINT AND OFFLINE REFERENCE
