Renter Office

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.

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.
Our protections for renters

Business licence requirements

Your landlord is required to display a copy of their long-term business licence.

Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy (TRPP)

If you are in a rental building or unit that is being redeveloped or undergoing major renovations, we have 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 teamand 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 2022, Council approved $575,000 in grants for 13 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.

Learn more about Renter Services Grants
Renter Services Centre

We have been taking steps to explore the development of a Renter Services Centre (RSC) where renters in Vancouver can get help during their tenancies. The idea is to bring non-profit organizations and potentially government services that renters rely on under one roof at 900 Howe Street. The proposed centre could offer services such as legal support, tenancy education, filling out housing forms, and more. The key goal is to improve access to supports, education, and legal advocacy for Vancouver renters.

Community engagement activities and a feasibility study carried out in 2021 and 2022 revealed that there is strong community support for an RSC and the opportunity to improve access to services for renters. However, significant questions also emerged during engagement, particularly concerns regarding the financial feasibility of an RSC.

We are working on next steps to implement the RSC, and will report back to Council with recommendations in the fall of 2022.

Learn more about the RSC
Tenant relocation specialist program

When a landlord plans to redevelop or renovate a rental unit, renters may be eligible for additional assistance to what is required by the Provincial Residential Tenancy Act, under the City's Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy (TRPP).

While any move is disruptive, the intent of the TRPP is to mitigate the impacts of displacement resulting from redevelopment, through the implementation of a Tenant Relocation Plan.

Implementing Tenant Relocation Plans can be complex and challenging, particularly in Vancouver's extremely tight rental market and with a persistent shortage of social, supportive, and shelter-rate homes.

The Renter Office is exploring opportunities to improve the implementation of Tenant Relocation Plans with the goal of improving the experience and outcomes for renters who are displaced because of redevelopment.

Learn more about the City's tenant protections when redevelopment or renovation occurs
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

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October 2022 | April 2022 | March 2022 | February 2022

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Renter Office

Contents

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

Our 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