Qualifying grounds—not every breach is urgent
The prescribed form describes serious interference or unreasonable disturbance, jeopardized health or safety, significant property risk, qualifying illegal activity, and extraordinary property damage. It requires a factual explanation of the danger and why waiting for the normal notice period would be unfair. The applicable grounds are not identical under the residential and manufactured-home legislation; check the statutory rules for the specific tenancy.
Six form sections
- Section 1 — Key dispute information: Identify the tenant's continuing occupancy, rental type, rental address and deposits.
- Section 2 — Applicant contact: Provide the landlord or authorized representative and other applicant details, including a valid address to receive RTB instructions.
- Section 3 — Respondents: Provide the tenant's full legal name and lawful service information.
- Section 4 — Issue selection: Identify an early end of tenancy and order of possession and mark applicable statutory grounds. Explain the specific conduct, dates, affected persons and why an ordinary One Month Notice is not adequate.
- Section 5 — Supporting documents: Identify and submit all available evidence when filing, such as incident reports, contemporaneous photographs, witness accounts, written warnings and relevant official records.
- Section 6 — Declaration: Sign and date the application as authorized landlord applicant or agent.
Urgent service and scheduling
The standard filing fee is $100, subject to a waiver. The RTB aims to schedule expedited matters within about 12 days, and some very serious threats may be scheduled sooner. After acceptance, the RTB issues a proceeding package and an order respecting service. Serve the whole package as specifically directed: expedited service rules can be shorter and more restrictive than ordinary applications. If the RTB does not accept the application for expedited treatment, it may direct a regular hearing process.
Limits and common mistakes
The official RTB-12L-EXH form says no other dispute issues may be combined except a claim to recover the application filing fee. Do not add routine damage, rent or deposit claims. A claim of serious misconduct without evidence of urgency is not enough; simply applying does not permit the landlord to lock out the tenant.