How to Complete a Paper Application for Dispute Resolution
COVID-19 – To encourage social distancing, in-person services are no longer available at the Burnaby Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) Office. If you have questions about your tenancy, please call or email the RTB or find information on our website.
A drop-box at the Burnaby RTB Office is available to submit paper applications, evidence and payment. Notice of Dispute Resolution Hearing packages can be picked up in person at the Burnaby RTB Office and kiosks are available for self-service.
The fastest way to apply for dispute resolution is online.
- Learn more about applying for dispute resolution
If you aren't able to apply online, you may submit a paper Application for Dispute Resolution through any Service BC Office or any Residential Tenancy Branch Office.
The branch has developed new forms to assist the public in applying for dispute resolution.
Follow these tips and suggestions to make sure you complete your paper Application for Dispute Resolution properly – any mistakes could cause delays.
- Landlords and tenants must use different forms.
- The form you choose is based on the status of the tenancy when you apply.
- Choose from these forms groups on the forms page:
- Dispute Resolution Forms - Standard
- Dispute Resolution Forms - Direct Request
Complete all of the sections before submitting the application.
Primary Applicant Name and Contact Information
The person applying for dispute resolution is the Primary Applicant.
Check the circle that best applies to your claim (are you an individual, a business, an agent/lawyer or an advocate/assistant)?
When entering the applicant information, be sure to provide FULL legal names and mailing address (including postal codes).
Include an email address and phone numbers – home, cell or business.
If you need to provide information for:
A business: Enter the full legal business name in the ‘first name’ field on the form.
More than one applicant: Enter each name separately (e.g., John Smith and Mary Smith, rather than John and Mary Smith) in the space provided. If there are more than two applicants file a Schedule of Parties (PDF) with your application.
When entering the respondent information, be sure to provide FULL legal names and mailing address (including postal codes).
Include an email address for the respondent if you have it, and any phone numbers you know of – home, cell or business.
More than one respondent: Enter each name separately (e.g., John Smith and Mary Smith, rather than John and Mary Smith) in the space provided. If there are more than two respondents file a Schedule of Parties (PDF) with your application
Issues: Check the items that relate to your claim.
Please describe: In these sections of the application, write a few sentences to describe the problem. Include any dates, times, people or other information that describes how the problem came up. Attach a separate sheet if you need more space – remember to sign and number any additional pages.
Recover filing fee: If you want the respondent to reimburse your application fee, check the box: “I want to recover my $100 filing fee for this application.”
Monetary orders: Applications that include monetary items like unpaid rent or claims for damages need to include a list of individual items being claimed, their associated dollar amounts and a total for all items. Do this in the “Please describe the unpaid amounts” section of the application or use the Monetary Order Worksheet (PDF, 1.5MB).
For example:
Item |
Value |
Rent owing for March 2006 |
$700 |
Carpet repair |
$400 |
Repair holes in walls |
$400 |
Broken window |
$200 |
Cleaning |
$60 |
Total |
$1,760 |
Make sure the application is signed and dated – don’t forget to print your name as well.
You may submit your application in person at any Service BC Office or any Residential Tenancy Branch Office.
The filing fee for an Application for Dispute Resolution is $100. Be ready to pay!
- Learn more about fees and fee waivers
The content on this website is periodically reviewed and updated by the Province of British Columbia as per the date noted on each page: February 7, 2020.
Contact the Residential Tenancy Branch