Eviction
Eviction
For Landlords
A landlord can sometimes make a tenant move out. This is called eviction. If you are a landlord, and you need to evict a tenant, you must:
- give notice in writing to tell the tenant to move out. You can get a form at the Residential Tenancy Branch or your local Government Agent’s office. The notice must contain reasons for eviction and explain to the tenant his or her right to dispute the eviction.
- give the notice to the tenant yourself or send it by registered mail. (You may not just put it under their door or in their mailbox.)
- give the tenant proper notice. The law says how much time you have to give tenants before they must move out.
For Tenants
If a landlord wants you to move out, the law says he or she must follow the rules and put the notice in writing. The landlord cannot just tell you to leave. If you are a tenant and you get an eviction notice, read it very carefully. You may disagree with the reason the landlord is evicting you. For example, you don’t think you’re too noisy, or you don’t have too many people living in your place. You may want to try to stop the eviction. You can make an appeal (ask an official to decide). The eviction form says how much time you have to do that. You should ask for help or advice. Do not ignore an eviction notice.
Eviction: How Much Notice Must a Landlord Give?
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Immediate notice |
when the tenant is doing something that is likely to be dangerous to others |
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10 days’ notice |
when the tenant didn’t pay the rent |
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One month’s notice |
when the tenant is too noisy or has too many people living in the dwelling |
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Two months’ notice |
when the landlord is going to renovate the apartment, demolish it, convert it to something else, or live in it. If you get a two-month eviction, check with the Residential Tenancy Branch or the Tenant Resource & Advisory Center about compensation. |