To view PDF files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Amendments to RTA and MHPTA in force October 1, 2006
October 23, 2006
On October 1, 2006, several amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act came into force. This website has been updated to include revised publications, including:
- Fact Sheets
- Forms - Application for Dispute Resolution and Notices to End Tenancy
- E-service - Application for Dispute Resolution
- Links to updated legislation
- Guide for Landlords and Tenants in British Columbia
- Guide for Manufactured Home Park Landlords and Tenants in British Columbia
- Dispute Resolution Rules of Procedure
Other RTB publications and forms are under review.
Changes to Tenancy Statutes Effective October 1, 2006
August 30, 2006
Download this one-page update (PDF) and the Order in Council (PDF) for more information about changes to tenancy statutes effective October 1, 2006.
Allowable Rent Increases for 2007
August 24, 2006
The allowable rent increases for 2007 for conventional residential tenancies and manufactured home park tenancies are as follows:
- For a conventional residential tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2007, the allowable increase is 4%.
- For a manufactured home park tenancy rent increase that takes effect in 2007, the allowable increase is 4%.
The annual allowable rent increase for conventional residential tenancies is determined by the formula in the Residential Tenancy Regulation.
The annual allowable rent increase for manufactured home park tenancies is determined by the formula in the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation.
Tenants aged 60 and over may be eligible for rent subsidies under the BC Housing SAFER program. Further information is available from BC Housing at 1-800-257-7756 or www.bchousing.org.
New Residential Tenancy Guide for Landlords & Tenants
June 19, 2006
The publication, Residential Tenancy Act: A Guide for Landlords & Tenants in British Columbia, was updated.
Assisted Living and Supported Living Tenancies
June 7, 2006
Update on Amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act
Amendment to Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation
June 2, 2006
The Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation sets out the formula for the allowable annual rent increase for manufactured home park tenancies. Section 32(2) of the Regulation has been amended to change that formula. This section now reads:
For the purposes of section 36(1)(a) of the Act, a landlord may impose a rent increase that is no greater than the amount calculated as follows:
inflation rate + 2 per cent.
Under this amendment, manufactured home park owners will be permitted to adjust rents by two per cent, plus the rate of inflation. Effective immediately, the maximum rent increase for 2006 is four per cent.
Landlords must give tenants three months advance notice of a rent increase. Rents may be increased only once in a 12 month period.
- June 2, 2006 Information Bulletin
- Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Regulation (updated version will be posted as soon as it is available)
Amendments to RTA and MHPTA introduced
April 26, 2006
Supportive housing and assisted living facilities will now be covered under the Residential Tenancy Act, providing more protection for seniors and people with disabilities Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman said today.
- Letter from Minister Coleman with summary of amendments (PDF 1,000 KB)
- Letter from Minister Coleman (only) (PDF 260 KB)
- Summary of amendments (only) (PDF 35 KB)
- News Release
- Bill 27: Tenancy Statutes Amendment Act, 2006
Deposit Interest Rate for 2006
January 4, 2006
The interest rate on security and pet damage deposits for 2006 is 0.5%.
The online deposit interest calculator has been updated for this year's rate.
Deposit interest rates are set according to the Residential Tenancy Regulation. The Regulation states rates of interest payable to a tenant on security or pet damage deposits are 4.5% below the prime lending rate of the principal banker to the Province on the first day of the calendar year.
The Bank of Canada prime business lending rate on January 1 was 5.00%. The Residential Tenancy Office calculated the deposit interest rate for 2006 as 0.5%.
New Security Deposit Interest Calculator
December 23, 2005
The Residential Tenancy Office has a new Security Deposit Interest Calculator. The calculator is web-based and works with all major web browsers and operating systems. It also displays the interest earned on deposits for each year they are held and allows results to be printed.
Follow this link to the calculator.
