End of Tenancy (Termination and Eviction) (19:XI): Difference between revisions

If the tenant wants to end a month-to-month tenancy, he or she can always give one month’ s written notice “on or before the last day of a rental payment period tobe  effective on the last day of an ensuing rental payment period” (e.g. give notice no later than May 31 to move out  on June 30). The landlord cannot dispute the tenant’ s notice. But, if the tenant’ s notice does not comply with the rules under the RTA (ss 45(1) and 45(2)), the tenant may have to pay an extra month’ s rent. b)By a Tenant Under s 59 of the RTA, a tenant may dispute a Notice to End a Residential Tenancy from the landlord by applying to the RTB and filing an  application for dispute resolution to set aside the notice within the following time limits: under s 46 (unpaid rent): five days; under s 47 (for cause): 10 days; and under s 49 (landlord use of property): 15 days. An Arbitrator may extend a time limit established by the RTA only in exceptional circumstances. In respect to a notice given by a landlord for non-payment of rent (s 46(4)(a)), time limits can only be extended if: the landlord has provided written permission for an extension, or the  tenant has deducted the unpaid amount because the tenant believed that the deduction was allowed for emergency repairs or under an Arbitrator’ s order (s 66(2)). Personal hardship is not a reason for more time. NOTE:              An Arbitrator must not extend the time to apply for dispute resolution to dispute a notice to end a tenancy beyond the effective date of the notice. NOTE: A tenant can apply for a delayed order of possession in the alternative that the  eviction  is  upheld.  To  do  so,  the  tenant  should  explain  why  a  short order  would  cause  them  hardship  and why  an extended  order  would  not prejudice the landlord. Particular attention should be paid to the landlord’ s financial interests. NOTE:                A  tenant  should never  ignore  notice  to  end  tenancy.  If  the  tenant  does not  dispute  a  notice  within  the  time  limit,  the  landlord  may  apply  for  an Order of Possession with a hearing. F.Failure of a Tenant to Deliver Up the Rental Unit; Regaining Possession A  tenant  must  deliver  up  possession  at  the  end  of  the tenancy.  After  tenancy  ends,  there  is  no “agreement”  and  the  over  holding  tenant  is  usually  found  to  be  a  licensee  or  mere  occupant.  A  new tenancy  agreement  could  be  created  (e.g.  by  the  landlord  accepting  and  providing  a  receipt  for payment of rent), but otherwise the occupant of residential premises is liable to a landlord’ s claim for compensation  for “use  and  occupation”  (RTA,  s  57(3)).  The landlord  may join  the “tenant”  as  third party if sued by a prospective tenant for failure to give vacant possession (s 57(4)). The landlord must not  take  actual  possession  of  a  rental  unit  that  is  occupied  by  an  over  holding  tenant  unless  the landlord has a writ of possession issued under the B.C. Supreme Court Rules of Court.