Choose the right application route
If the tenant has already moved out, use RTB-12L-PT instead. If the landlord seeks an eligible direct request following a 10 Day Notice for unpaid rent or utilities, use RTB-12L-DR. For immediate, severe safety or property threats qualifying for an expedited hearing, check RTB-12L-EXH. Choosing RTB-12L-CT does not bypass the need to serve a legally valid notice or meet special statutory deadlines.
The five form sections
- Section 1 — Key dispute information: Confirm the tenant remains in possession, identify the type of rental home or manufactured-home site, provide any existing dispute file, deposits paid, full rental address, applicant legal names and contact addresses, and say how the applicant wants to receive the hearing package.
- Section 2 — Respondents: List every tenant named as a respondent, with full legal names and addresses for service. Attach RTB-26 if more parties or separate addresses are needed.
- Section 3 — Common orders of possession: Select the applicable notice type, such as a 10 Day Notice for unpaid rent, One Month Notice for Cause, landlord- or purchaser-use notice, or caretaker-use notice. Enter the date, method of service, stated effective date, reasons and Notice ID where relevant.
- Section 4 — Other landlord issues: Identify the precise money sought for rent, utilities, damage or other loss, or another available possession ground. Give the amounts and narrative explanation and include supporting evidence. For a claim not listed, attach the RTB-12L-O supplementary form.
- Section 5 — Declaration: The primary landlord applicant or authorized agent prints their name, signs and dates the declaration confirming accuracy and authority.
Gather the documents that match each claim
Keep the tenancy agreement, each notice to end tenancy and its proof of service, rent ledger, relevant written utility demand, condition inspection reports, photos, receipts, estimates and a monetary worksheet where applicable. The June 2025 form explicitly asks, for unpaid-utility possession claims, whether the landlord gave a 30-day written utility demand. A monetary total without the evidence explaining it is not sufficient to prove entitlement.
File, pay and serve the proceeding package
The form says a paper application must be submitted in person at the Burnaby RTB office or a Service BC centre that accepts RTB forms; the online application is available separately. The application is not processed without all required details, a selected issue, respondent service information, signature and $100 fee or approved fee waiver. After filing, the RTB provides a Notice of Dispute Resolution Proceeding package. The landlord must serve that package and evidence on each respondent using the rules and deadlines in the RTB's directions, and retain proof; if ordinary service is impossible, consider RTB-13 substituted service.
Common mistakes
Using this form after the tenant has left, choosing this instead of direct request or expedited hearing, omitting a respondent's legal service address, neglecting to file a real notice to end tenancy, requesting an order of possession without a statutory ground, or assuming that filing an application alone gives permission to evict a tenant.