BC RTB Deposit Dispute Application — Narrative for Branch Filing
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Case summary for the Director
Organise your facts. Most come straight from your stage-1 demand letter. File at https://tenancydispute.gov.bc.ca/DisputeAccess/ — Basic BCeID required, $100 filing fee (waivable for low income on the application itself).
This letter will cite
BC Residential Tenancy Act (SBC 2002, c.78) ss.19(1), 23, 24, 35, 36, 37, 38(1), 38(6), 39, 58-60, 65, 72, 77, 79, 84, 85; tenancydispute.gov.bc.ca/DisputeAccess/
Your narrative documents the tenancy, written forwarding address date, s.38 non-compliance, requested remedies (return of deposit, s.38(6) doubling penalty, interest, filing-fee reimbursement), and the form route (RTB-12T-DR Direct Request or RTB-12T-PT Participatory Hearing).
Direct Request is the fast path under RTA s.38: file at the 20-day mark (15-day landlord deadline + 5 days for mail per RTB procedure). Participatory Hearing is needed where damages are contested or live testimony is required.
Under s.19(1), the security deposit may not exceed half of one month's rent.
Under s.19(1), the pet damage deposit (where charged) is a SEPARATE half-month maximum — total deposits may reach one month's rent.
If landlord ignored s.38(1), they owe DOUBLE this amount under s.38(6).
The 15-day s.38(1) clock runs from this date (or from end of tenancy, whichever is later).