Renter supports and protections

Contact a community legal organization for information or advice if you are a renter and are at immediate risk of losing your rental home.

Over half of Vancouver households rent their homes. That is why we are actively working to implement strategies to improve protections and supports for renters.

What's happeningEnhanced Broadway Plan area protections

On June 22, 2022, Council approved the Broadway Plan, which introduced enhanced tenant protections for renters in the Broadway Plan area, in addition to the existing City-wide Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy (TRPP).

For questions about Broadway Plan area tenant protections:

Email housingpolicy@vancouver.ca
Phone 3-1-1

Learn more about enhanced Broadway Plan area protections

Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy (TRPP)

How renters are protected during rezoning and development, including details for renters and for owners and developers.

Single Room Accommodation Bylaw

The SRA Bylaw regulates the alteration, conversion, and demolition of low-cost housing Downtown.

SRA Vacancy Control Policy

The Vacancy Control Policy limits rent increases in SRA-designated buildings between tenancies.

Residential rental properties

A business licence is required for all residential property rentals. We have 3 licences based on how long you'll rent it and if you live there.

Property use and maintenance

Property use and maintenance: view related regulations and bylaws, helpful resources, and contact information if you have concerns.

Finding rental housing

Resources for finding rental housing in Vancouver and identifying rental properties with health or safety issues.

How the Province and the City help renters

Province of British Columbia assistance and protections
Residential tenancy situations are governed under provincial government jurisdiction through the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA).

Guided by the RTA, the Province of British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) handles most rental disputes in BC. The RTB also provides information about residential tenancies.

For help with concerns relating to tenancies, such as
- Rights and responsibilities during a tenancy
- Starting or ending a tenancy
- Assignment and sublet
- Security deposits
- Rent increases
Contact the Province of British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Branch :
- hsrto@gov.bc.ca
- 1-800-665-8779
City of Vancouver assistance and protections
As a municipality, we provide additional protections for renters in certain circumstances through municipal government by-laws and policies.

Further information about some of our assistance and protections:

Help for renters

I am being evicted and I need help
My landlord is asking me to sign a mutual agreement to end tenancy
In BC, tenancy agreements are governed under provincial legislation.

Visit the Province of British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Branch website for more information about residential tenancy agreements and ending a tenancy .

Neither a landlord nor tenant is under any obligation to sign a mutual agreement to end a tenancy.
- Learn more about the types of notices for ending a tenancy and what compensation a tenant may be entitled to
Mutual Agreements to End Tenancy and City protections for redevelopment

If your rental home might be redeveloped and you are being asked to sign a Mutual Agreement to End Tenancy, make sure you understand your rights under our Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy.
- Learn more about renter rights and relocation assistance due to redevelopment
My landlord says they are planning major renovations or repairs
Many renovations and repairs can be carried out without ending tenancies, and with only minor disruption to tenants. Sometimes however, renovations or repairs are so extensive it would not be possible to carry them out while the rental unit is occupied.

If your rental home is being renovated or repaired, review:
- Redevelopment and renovations
- Repairs and maintenance
My rental home is being redeveloped
Our Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy (TRPP) assists and protects renters when landlords plan to renovate or develop their rental homes in certain circumstances.
- Learn more about renter rights and relocation assistance due to redevelopment
If your rental home is being redeveloped, review redevelopment and renovations.
My rental home is for sale or has been sold
If your rental home is up for sale or has been recently sold, you may have rights under the Residential Tenancy Act.
- Learn more about rights under the Residential Tenancy Act when a landlord is selling a tenanted property
If your rental home is for sale or has been sold, and may be undergoing renovations or redevelopment, review redevelopment and renovations.
My rental home is not safe or healthy to live in
We put limits on the things people can do on, and with, their property to help ensure that general standards of health, safety, and cleanliness are maintained for the benefit of everyone.
- Learn about our property use and maintenance requirements
If your rental home is unsafe or uninhabitable, review repairs and maintenance.
My landlord says they wish to move in
My rental home might be illegal
We put limits on the things people can do on, and with, their property to help ensure that general standards of health, safety, and cleanliness are maintained for the benefit of everyone.
- Learn about our property use and maintenance requirements
We also require business licences to rent a residential property, even if a property manager is hired.
- Learn more about residential rental property business licences
If you suspect a rental property might be illegal, we recommend reviewing the following resources on this page:
- Repairs and maintenance
- Licencing

Resources for renters

Renters' rights and responsibilities
Residential Tenancy Branch

Renters have rights and responsibilities that come from provincial legislation. Most rental housing is under the provincial Residential Tenancy Act (RTA). The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) is a department of the provincial government. The RTB handles and enforces concerns related to the RTA.
- Resources, calculators, and frequently asked questions
- Contact the Residential Tenancy Branch
  - hsrto@gov.bc.ca
  - 1-800-665-8779
Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC)

TRAC is a non-profit organization that provides free legal education, representation, and advocacy on residential tenancy matters. TRAC’s website contains plain-language information for renters to better understand tenant-landlord law in BC.

Renting It Right

Renting It Right is a website that offers courses for BC renters. Course topics include: finding a home, tenant-landlord law, and dispute resolution. Made by the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC) and Justice Education Society of BC (JES).

RentSmart Certificate Online

RentSmart Certificate Online is a course for renters in BC with information about tenant rights and responsibilities, communication, budgeting, maintenance, safety, and pests. Made by RentSmart Education and Support Society.

Law Students' Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) Manual

The LSLAP Manual is a wide-ranging guide to law and legal services in BC. Chapter 19 provides information about Landlord and Tenant Law. Made by LSLAP, which is a non-profit run by law students at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia.
Help and advice with tenancies
Legal advice and advocacy services

For additional support with tenancies, many local non-profit community organizations offer free services ranging from information and advice on residential tenancies to legal advocacy and representation on tenancy issues:
Financial assistance services

For help with paying your rent, may be eligible to receive financial assistance through BC Housing or a one-time interest-free loan through the Vancouver Rent Bank:
Redevelopment and renovations
Provincial Residential Tenancy Act

Under provincial legislation, if a landlord wants to end a tenancy for extensive renovations or repairs, they need to apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for permission.
- Learn more about the Provincial requirements to end a tenancy for renovations or repairs
City of Vancouver’s Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy

If you are in a rental building/unit that is being redeveloped or undergoing major renovations, the City has additional renter protections through our Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy (TRPP).
- Learn more about renter rights and relocation assistance due to redevelopment
City of Vancouver building permits

When rental property undergoes significant renovation or redevelopment, it may also require a building permit.
- Learn more about when a City building permit is needed
The timing of a permit depends on the type of permit and its scope.
- Find more information on an issued permit and the scope of work through our database
For specific information about City permits, contact the Development and Building Services Centre:
- Van311 online
- Download the Van311 app
- Phone 3-1-1
Repairs and maintenance
Provincial Residential Tenancy Act

Under provincial legislation, both landlords and tenants share responsibility for maintaining the rental property.
- Learn more about responsibilities for repairs and maintenance
City of Vancouver

The Standards of Maintenance By-law sets standards for the maintenance and occupancy of buildings and units to ensure they are free from hazards.
- Learn more about the different types of property use and maintenance issues
If you have a health or safety concern about your building or unit, report a property concern:
- Van311 online
- Download the Van311 app
- Phone 3-1-1
To support Vancouver renters, an online searchable database is available for all buildings with maintenance, health, or safety issues:
- Search a building by address
- Browse a list and map of all buildings
Licencing
In Vancouver, all residential properties that are rented require a business licence – even if a property manager is hired.

Learn more about rental property business licences:
For specific information about business licences, contact our Licence Office:
- Van311 online
- Download the Van311 app
- Phone 3-1-1

Renter supports and protections

What's happeningEnhanced Broadway Plan area protections

How the Province and the City help renters

Province of British Columbia assistance and protections

City of Vancouver assistance and protections

Help for renters

I am being evicted and I need help

My landlord is asking me to sign a mutual agreement to end tenancy

My landlord says they are planning major renovations or repairs

My rental home is being redeveloped

My rental home is for sale or has been sold

My rental home is not safe or healthy to live in

My landlord says they wish to move in

My rental home might be illegal

Resources for renters

Renters' rights and responsibilities

Help and advice with tenancies

Redevelopment and renovations

Repairs and maintenance

Licencing

Contact information, partner agencies, and website policies