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Residential tenancy investigation process

Last updated on March 4, 2026

When a complaint is submitted to the Compliance and Enforcement Unit (CEU) a compliance officer will assess the complaint. This may include contacting the parties to gather more information.

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How complaints are investigated

The CEU follows the steps below to investigate complaints. When a landlord or tenant has seriously and deliberately not followed B.C. tenancy laws, the CEU may investigate and issue an administrative monetary penalty.

An administrative penalty is a debt due to the government and must be paid within 60 days. Failure to pay will result in collection action being taken.

Step 1: Assessment

The complaint is assessed to determine if it is a serious violation under B.C. tenancy laws.

Within 30 days of receiving a complaint, the CEU will assess the file and send a written notice of the outcome of the assessment.

Step 2: Investigate

If it is determined to be a repeated or serious violation, a compliance officer:

  • Contacts the tenant(s) and/or landlord(s) involved to get the facts and history of the complaint
  • Consults with other agencies (including law enforcement)
  • Escalates the complaint to an investigator
  • Collects evidence and may issue a warning letter
  • Issues demands to any parties involved to produce any records concerning the investigation

Step 3: Response

The party under investigation may respond to the case against them before any administrative penalty.

Step 4: Penalty

If the review finds that a person has broken B.C. tenancy laws and the individual does not take steps to correct this, then the director may set an administrative financial penalty.

Please note: The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) protects the confidentiality of the person(s) involved. Cases that proceed to court may become part of public court records.

Contact us

Contact the Residential Tenancy Branch for information, education, resources and dispute resolution services for tenants and landlords.