The BC Government’s ban on issuing evictions for non-payment of rent officially ended on September 1, 2020. Landlords will be able to issue a Notice to End Tenancy for unpaid rent or utilities if the tenant fails to pay full rent after August 17, 2020 (for most renters that would be September 1, 2020) or the tenant has failed to pay rent due before March 18, 2020. To assist in repayment, the province has developed a Rent Repayment Plan. Other notices to end tenancy may resume effectively immediately.
A landlord must not issue a Notice to End Tenancy for unpaid rent or utilities that came due during the specified period of March 18, 2020 to August 17, 2020 unless the landlord has given the tenant a repayment plan for the unpaid amount and the tenant has defaulted on the repayment plan. A landlord cannot charge a late fee for any unpaid rent during the specified period of March 18, 2020 to August 17, 2020.
The BC Temporary Rental Supplement (BC-TRS) Program ended on August 31, 2020. However, eligible low income families can apply for the BC Housing Rental Assistance Program (RAP).
See the Residential Tenancy Branch’s website for up to date information. You can also call the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre’s Info line at 604-255-0546 or 1-800-665-1185 to speak to one of their staff members.