Tenancy dispute resolution decisions
Last updated on August 15, 2025Find out if the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) has already heard and made a decision on a similar issue by searching past decisions.
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Direct request decisions
A direct request is a resolution process for specific issues, such as returning a security deposit or recovering overdue rent or utilities.
- Search direct request decisions written on or after December 21, 2022
- Search direct request decisions written before December 20, 2022
Participatory hearing decisions
In the participatory process, landlords and tenants attend a hearing, and each share testimony and evidence with an arbitrator who makes a decision both parties must follow.
Single claim
A single participatory hearing involves only one application from either a landlord or a tenant.
- Search single participatory decisions written on or after June 16, 2023
- Search single participatory decisions written between September 2008 and June 15, 2023
Multiple claims
Cross application hearings occur when a tenant and a landlord each file separate applications, making opposite claims that are heard at the same time.
Joint application hearings occur when multiple people make applications for the same issue, and request to be joined and heard at one hearing.
Special application decisions
In particular circumstances, landlords may apply for additional rent increases to offset costs, or to evict a tenant in order to do renovations. These applications are decided on by an arbitrator.
Monetary orders
Some decisions can contain monetary orders, which instruct a person to pay another person a specific amount of money.
Administrative penalties
Administrative penalties can be issued by the Compliance and Enforcement Unit after investigating serious and deliberate violations of tenancy law.
Request your hearing recording
If you were a party to a decision, you can request a copy of your hearing recording from the RTB.
Privacy
We don’t include names, addresses or other identifying information in direct request, participatory hearing, and special application decisions. If needed, we will refer to specific people by their initials.
In administrative penalty decisions, we redact all personal information except for the names of the respondents, that is, the people who have to pay the fine.
Monetary orders contain the file number, names of both parties, and the rental address. If you are named in a monetary order, and you feel that publication of your name or address will harm your safety, you can request an exemption.
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