What Is the RTB?
Learn what the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) does in British Columbia, what disputes it handles, and how it fits into the legal system for rental issues.
What Is the RTB?
The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) is the government agency in British Columbia responsible for enforcing the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) and resolving disputes between landlords and tenants. Its mandate is to ensure fair, accessible, and efficient resolution of rental housing disputes without requiring formal court involvement.
RTB provides an alternative to the traditional court system through its Dispute Resolution Process, an administrative tribunal where disputes are usually resolved via teleconference hearings with an arbitrator. Most applications cost $100, making it a more affordable and accessible option than court.
In most cases, rental disputes in BC must go through the RTB rather than through the court system, as the RTB has exclusive jurisdiction over issues governed by the RTA.
When the RTB Does Not Have Jurisdiction
Some rental or housing-related issues may fall outside the RTB’s authority. Here’s a quick breakdown of where to go, depending on the situation:
RTB: For disputes under the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) that arise between landlords and tenants who share no kitchen or bathroom with the owner—including issues like evictions, repairs, rent increases, deposits, harassment, and lockouts. If you share kitchen or bathroom facilities with the property owner, you’re not covered under the RTA and cannot apply to the RTB
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT): Handles disputes between tenants or occupants (such as roommate disagreements) and monetary claims up to $5,000. CRT is typically used in situations not covered by the RTB. Examples include head‑tenant scenarios or disputes between co‑tenants.
Small Claims Court: Resolves financial claims between $5,001 and $35,000, including enforcing monetary orders issued by the RTB, such as compensation or deposit refunds.
BC Supreme Court: Handles high-value or complex claims exceeding $35,000.
BC Human Rights Tribunal: Responsible for adjudicating discrimination complaints under the BC Human Rights Code, such as biased treatment based on race, gender, disability, or family status.
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC): Addresses privacy-related concerns, including disputes over how a landlord collects, uses, or discloses personal information.
What Can an RTB Arbitrator Do?
Under Section 9 of the RTA, RTB arbitrators have broad powers to resolve tenancy disputes. They can issue legally binding orders to:
Enforce a tenant or landlord’s legal rights
Stop illegal entry or harassment
Order landlords to complete repairs
Allow tenants to change locks
Award monetary compensation (e.g., for damages or withheld deposits)
Approve or cancel eviction notices
Resolve multiple related issues in one application
All RTB decisions are enforceable as court orders once filed with the Small Claims Court.
Fairness and Burden of Proof
The RTB follows procedural fairness principles under the Administrative Tribunals Act. Each party is entitled to:
Advance notice of the hearing
A neutral decision-maker
An opportunity to present evidence and respond
Disputes are decided on the balance of probabilities, meaning something is more likely than not to be true. Generally, the applicant bears the burden of proof, unless a tenant is disputing an eviction notice, in which case, the landlord must justify the eviction.
