bc-tenancy-substantive

Files (9)

• SKILL.md
• OFFICIAL-SECTION-MAP-CORRECTION.md · references/
• deposit-rules.md · references/
• policy-guidelines-summary.md · references/
• renoviction-defense.md · references/
• rent-increase-guideline.md · references/
• repair-evidence-guide.md · references/
• retaliation-doctrine.md · references/
• rta-s8-illegal-charges.md · references/

SKILL.md (first lines)

# BC Tenancy Substantive — Deep RTA Knowledge

> **Disclaimer:** Legal information only. Verify every section at [bclaws.gov.bc.ca](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca) and RTB materials at [gov.bc.ca/rtb](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies).  
> Section numbers and forms below are **working maps** — always **`[VERIFY ON BCLAWS / RTB]`** before filing or reliance.  
> Not legal advice. Self-represented litigants: deadlines are brutal — calendar first.

## Dual mode

| Audience | Style |
|----------|--------|
| **Self-rep** | Plain language first; short steps; “what to do today” |
| **Lawyer / advocate** | Section pins, doctrine, bad-faith patterns, remedy stacking |

## Skill routing

| Need | Skill |
|------|--------|
| RTB procedure, hearings, evidence packaging, enforcement | `bc-tenancy-procedure` |
| JR, human rights, strata, MHPTA, trauma-informed, ethics | `bc-tenancy-advanced` (= `bc-tenancy-advocacy`) |
| Court drafting standard | `supreme-court-civil-counsel` |

## Analytical tags

`[FACT]` · `[ALLEGATION]` · `[LAW]` · `[ARGUMENT]` · `[INFERENCE]` · `[ASSUMPTION]` · `[PROCEDURAL HISTORY]` · `[RECOMMENDATION]` · `[REMEDY]`

---

## Module 1: RTA Deep Mastery

Quotes sections carefully; spots end-runs dressed as legitimate.

### Critical sections — **OFFICIAL BC Laws map** (current to 14 July 2026; re-verify before filing)

> Retrieved from https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/02078_01  
> See `references/OFFICIAL-SECTION-MAP-CORRECTION.md` and `legislation/court-ready/`.  
> **Earlier maps that used s. 6 for “cannot contract out”, s. 22 for quiet enjoyment, or ss. 25–26 for entry were incorrect.**

| Section | Rule (plain) | Technical note (official) |
|---------|--------------|---------------------------|
| **s. 5** | Cannot avoid/contract out of Act or regulations | Attempts of no effect |
| **s. 6** | Rights/obligations enforceable between L&T | Dispute resolution if unresolved |
| **s. 15** | No application/processing/investigation/accept fees | Intake fee ban |
| **s. 19** | Max security or pet deposit = ½ month’s rent each | Overpayment recoverable |
| **s. 20** | Landlord deposit prohibitions | Timing, one deposit, no auto-keep clause |
| **s. 22** | Acceleration term prohibited | **Not** quiet enjoyment |
| **s. 28** | Quiet enjoyment | Privacy, disturbance, exclusive possession, common areas |
| **s. 29** | Entry restricted | 24h written notice; **8 a.m.–9 p.m.**; emergencies etc. |
| **s. 32–33** | Repair/maintain + emergency repairs | Health/safety + suitability; emergency list in s. 33 |
| **s. 35–36** | End-of-tenancy condition inspection consequences | Deposit rights may extinguish |
| **s. 38–39** | Deposit return / double / forwarding address | 15 days; double if s. 38(1) not met |
| **s. 41–43** | Rent increases | 12-month spacing; 3 months’ notice; guideline/order/consent |
| **Part 4** | How tenancy ends | Notice sections 45–50+ — verify each ground’s section before filing |
| **Part 5** | Dispute resolution / review | Confirm review section numbers on BC Laws for the proceeding date |

Court-ready extracts: `../../legislation/court-ready/RTA-key-sections-OFFICIAL.md`

### RTB Policy Guidelines (layer above the Act)

**Not law**, but routinely applied by arbitrators. Always pull the **current** PG text.

| PG # | Topic |
|------|--------|
| **PG 9** | Condition inspection reports |
| **PG 14** | Security and pet damage deposits |
| **PG 16** | Rent increases |
| **PG 21** | Repairs and maintenance |
| **PG 26** | Advocates at RTB hearings |
| **PG 30** | Ending a tenancy |
| **PG 37** | Two month notices (landlord’s use) |
| **PG 40** | Four month notices (renovation/demolition) |

**PG 26:** An advocate (non-lawyer) may represent a party at RTB hearings with arbitrator permission — basis for TRAC / community advocates.

**Stay current:** RTA and PGs change. Verify at gov.bc.ca/rtb before citing.

→ `references/policy-guidelines-summary.md`

---

## Module 2: Bad-Faith Move Detector ⭐

### Renovations or repairs requiring vacancy — director's order under s. 49.2

**Potential bad-faith pattern:** A landlord asserts that major work requires vacancy, but the proposed work is cosmetic, unsupported by permits, or followed by re-rental at a higher rent.

**Official map (BC Laws consolidation current to July 14, 2026):** For renovations or repairs requiring vacancy, **s. 49.2** provides an application-for-order route and specifies statutory conditions. **Section 51.2** addresses a right of first refusal in qualifying circumstances; **s. 51.3** addresses compensation where no right of first refusal is given. Do not collapse these distinct provisions or assume that every renovation engages a same-rent return right. Verify the current Act, regulations, order, tenancy/building facts, eligibility, notice requirements, and remedy before making a claim.

**Detection signals:**

- No building permits applied for or issued  
- Work is cosmetic — does not require vacant possession  
- Unit re-listed at higher rent after eviction  
- Pattern of renovation notices without completed work  

**Response:** Dispute the notice + demand all permits and renovation plans in writing.

→ `references/renoviction-defense.md`

### Demoviction (Four Month Notice — demolition)

Landlord must have an **actual demolition permit** and approved development. Speculative future demolition is not enough.

### Caretaker / employment housing — s. 48

**Potential issue:** The parties dispute whether a rental unit was provided for the term of genuine caretaker, manager, superintendent, or other employment.

**Official map:** RTA **s. 48** governs specified end-of-employment notices and contains factual and notice requirements. The analysis must begin with the statutory definition of tenancy/tenancy agreement, exclusions in s. 4, the agreement, payment and employment records, why the unit was provided, whether employment ended, good faith where required, and the current notice requirements. Labels alone are not conclusive, but payment alone does not decide the issue either. **Section 5**, not s. 6, provides that the Act cannot be avoided.

### Common disputed-practice issue map

| Issue | Correct starting point | Required verification |
|--------|------------------------|-----------------------|
| City/bylaw charge allocated to tenant | Agreement, enabling bylaw/statute, RTA s. 5, rent/services provisions, damages principles | Who is legally liable; whether contractual allocation is authorized and enforceable |
| Administrative/application/processing fee | RTA s. 15 for prohibited application-type fees; agreement and regulations for other fees | Do not use s. 8, which appoints the director |
| Strata fine or charge | SPA/bylaws, notice and hearing process, tenancy agreement, RTA s. 5 | Do not assume every pass-through is automatically void |
| Deposit retained | RTA ss. 23–24, 35–39 and regulation | Inspections, forwarding address, consent, application/order, timing |
| Entry without required notice | RTA s. 29; quiet enjoyment s. 28 | Statutory exception, notice contents/timing, consent, emergency |
| Rent increase | RTA ss. 40–43.1 and regulation | Form, timing, amount, service, effective date, available remedy |
| Adverse action after complaint | Facts, applicable notice ground, RTA ss. 5–7/28/47–49.2, human-rights or other law as engaged | There is no general RTA s. 47.1 retaliation provision in the current consolidation |

From dmang69/bc-legal-ai, MIT.

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