Renter Office

COVID-19: your tenancy

If you're a renter in Vancouver and have questions about your tenancy during COVID-19, review the current supports available.

Renter enquiry line 租客咨询专线
How we can help you
What we're working on
Get updates from the Renter Office

As part of our commitment to protecting renters in Vancouver, the Renter Office provides a first point of contact to:

Answer questions
Provide information on City policies and permits
Refer renters to other organizations that can help

Navigating the rental process and finding information that matches your situation can be very confusing.

We're here to help you find the information you need, and support you to understand and pursue your rights as a renter. Keep updated on our latest developments by signing up for our newsletter.

What's happeningApply for a Renter Services grant

Applications are now closed for the Renter Services grants on VanApply.

The Renter Services Centre survey is now closed

Thank you to those who participated. Your input will be used to explore the idea of a Renter Services Centre to meet the needs of Vancouver renters. We will share our findings later this fall.

If you have further questions, contact us at renteroffice@vancouver.ca.

Learn more
about this project

Renter enquiry line 租客咨询专线

The Renter Office can provide information and resources to renters in Vancouver on renter-related issues in Mandarin and Cantonese through the Renter Enquiry Line. We hope to expand into other languages in the future.

If you would like assistance in your chosen language, phone 3-1-1 for assistance and they will direct you to the appropriate staff for language support.

租客咨询专线可以用普通话或粤语向住在温哥华市的租客提供有关租客问题的信息和资源。我们希望将来能扩展到其他语言。如果您希望得到其他语言服务，可以致电3-1-1寻求帮助，他们会引导您获得相应的语言帮助。

We will do our best to get back to you within two business days. Contact us at:

renteroffice@vancouver.ca
604-673-8291

How we can help you

We have put together the following information based on questions we receive from renters in Vancouver.

Resources for renter rights and evictions
Issues concerning evictions, your rights as a renter under the Residential Tenancy Act, and taking legal action for dispute resolution hearings are under the jurisdiction of the Province and Residential Tenancy Branch .

Contact the organizations below for advice and assistance.

Community legal advocacy and assistance resources
If you are facing eviction because your rental unit is illegal or uninhabitable
The Renter Office can review your specific situation and connect you with the appropriate City departments to help you find out information on your case.

You can also get legal advice or assistance on your tenancy and your eviction notice from a professional legal advocate trained in provincial tenancy law.

Community organizations that provide legal advice
Evictions due to renovations or material upgrades

The Province updated the Residential Tenancy Act on July 1, 2021 with new rules around stopping illegal renovictions . Learn about these updates and how they apply to you (84 KB)

You can also get advice on your tenancy and your eviction notice from a professional legal advocate trained in provincial tenancy law at the organizations in the section above. Learn about your tenancies and renter rights through the Residential Tenancy Branch.

Contact the Renter Office if you need help to look up the planned permits for the building or unit. If you are being displaced by major renovations, you may also qualify for protections under the Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy.
Getting information when your landlord applies for permits for building upgrades

Basic permit information is available on the City's website. Find more information on an issued permit and the scope of work through our database.

The timing of a permit depends on the type of permit and its scope. Contact the Development and Building Services Centre. All enquiries received through the form will receive a reference number, where you’ll get real-time status updates by calling 3-1-1.
Documents to support your dispute resolution claim against an eviction notice
You can get a copy of a permit or other documents related to a permit application through our Development and Building Services Centre.
- Steps to requesting permit copies
- Contact the Development and Building Services Centre for more information and eligibility requirements
Concerns about the maintenance standards of your rental premises

If you have health and safety concerns about your building or unit, report a property concern online or phone 3-1-1. If the issue calls for an inspection, our inspectors will try to schedule an inspection within a week.

The City is responsible for inspecting properties and determining that they are safe for occupancy. Our 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 further questions, contact infoVBBL@vancouver.ca.
Finding affordable housing
The Renter Office is not able to provide direct assistance for renters looking for housing or wanting to apply for a specific housing project.

Affordable rental housing resources
If you are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, contact the City’s Homeless Outreach Team at carnegie.outreach@vancouver.ca or 604-665-3318.
The City's protections for renters

If you are in a rental building or unit that is being redeveloped or undergoing major renovations, the City has additional renter protections through the Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy (TRPP).

Our TRPP intends to protect renters in Vancouver by mitigating the impacts of displacement due to redevelopment or major renovations. The policy is managed by the Planning, Development and Sustainability team, and is implemented through the development process as a condition for an applicant to obtain development approvals and permits.

If you have questions about the TRPP or whether you qualify for assistance, contact trp@vancouver.ca.

Find resources for renter protections

Have a question that isn't answered above? Contact renteroffice@vancouver.ca

Download answers to frequently asked questions (135 KB)

What we're working on

Renter advocacy and services team

We have created a team of staff across City departments so that renters are prioritized in every department.

Made up of staff from Affordable Housing Programs, Licensing, Housing Policy, and Legal Services, the team meets regularly and works with renters, building owners, landlords, community partners, and other levels of government.

The team is working to improve the renter experience and the stability of rental tenancies.
Renter services grants for organizations

City Council awards renter services grants to non-profit community organizations that serve and advocate for renters.

In March 2021, Council approved $575,000 in grants for 12 local organizations and advocacy groups serving renters.

These funded programs will help Vancouver renters better understand and pursue their rights, and secure and stabilize their housing.

Read through the grant guideline and online application process

Learn more about the 2021 grant recipients
Renter Services Centre

We are exploring the idea of creating a Renter Services Centre where renters in Vancouver can get help during their tenancies. We are proposing to bring non-profit organizations that renters rely on under one roof at 900 Howe Street to support renters in accessing the services they need in one location.

The proposed centre could offer services such as legal support, tenancy education, filling out housing forms, and more. Our key goal is to improve access to supports, education, and legal advocacy for Vancouver renters.

We want to hear from renters across Vancouver to help inform the programming, services, and design of a Renter Services Centre that puts renters and their needs first.
Tenant relocation specialist program

We are working with developers and landlords to ensure that they understand the new Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy and have experienced staff to support tenants through relocation.

A Tenant Relocation Specialist training program and a qualified list of professionals are in the works and will help improve the experience and outcomes for renters who are required to relocate under a tenant relocation plan.
Other resources for renters
Legal advocacy groups
Provincial tenancy information
- Residential Tenancy Branch
- Residential Tenancy Act
Rental resources
- BC Housing - Housing Assistance
- Vancouver Rent Bank
Online courses for renters
- Renting It Right
Homelessness

If you are currently homeless, please contact a homeless outreach worker in your neighbourhood or region. Or you can connect with the City of Vancouver’s outreach team in the DTES.

Get updates from the Renter Office

Sign-up for our newsletter for the latest updates from the Renter Office and more.

renteroffice@vancouver.ca

View past newsletters:

October 2021 | September 2021 | August 2021

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Renter Office

COVID-19: your tenancy

Contents

What's happeningApply for a Renter Services grant

The Renter Services Centre survey is now closed

Renter enquiry line 租客咨询专线

How we can help you

Resources for renter rights and evictions

If you are facing eviction because your rental unit is illegal or uninhabitable

Evictions due to renovations or material upgrades

Getting information when your landlord applies for permits for building upgrades

Documents to support your dispute resolution claim against an eviction notice

Concerns about the maintenance standards of your rental premises

Finding affordable housing

The City's protections for renters

What we're working on

Renter advocacy and services team

Renter services grants for organizations

Renter Services Centre

Tenant relocation specialist program

Other resources for renters

Get updates from the Renter Office

Contact information, partner agencies, and website policies