What circumstances qualify?
A tenant who was illegally excluded from their home can request an urgent order of possession. A tenant facing a safety-related emergency repair may request an urgent order where the landlord has been notified but the necessary repair has not been completed. The RTB's current guidance specifically says mould is not eligible for expedited emergency repairs. If the tenancy has ended and the issue concerns recovery of deposits, use the direct-request route or an ordinary past-tenancy application instead.
Complete the six sections
- Section 1 — Key dispute information: Describe the ongoing tenancy and the rental property and give required deposit and applicant details.
- Section 2 — Additional applicant contact: Identify any second tenant applicant or agent, using RTB-26 for added parties or separate addresses.
- Section 3 — Respondents: Name the landlord or authorized representative and provide the legally permitted service address; consider RTB-13 if substituted service is required.
- Section 4 — Issue selection: Select order of possession after illegal lockout, or an order requiring emergency repairs for health or safety. Explain when the problem began, requests made to the landlord and the immediate risk.
- Section 5 — Supporting documents: Submit relevant tenancy documents, messages, urgent repair records, photos, witness statements or other evidence at the time of application.
- Section 6 — Declaration: The authorized tenant applicant signs and dates the form.
Filing and serving the urgent hearing package
The standard filing fee is $100 or an approved waiver. Paper forms must be submitted in person at the Burnaby RTB office or a participating Service BC centre; online filing may also be available. The RTB determines if the urgency qualifies and may aim for a hearing within 12 days, or sooner for immediate serious danger. Once the RTB issues the proceeding package, follow its expedited service order exactly, including its shorter timelines. Keep proof of service on each landlord respondent.
What may be claimed?
The prescribed RTB-12T-EXH says no other dispute issues may be added except recovery of the filing fee. Do not use it to bundle ordinary compensation, repair inconvenience, rent reduction or unrelated tenancy claims. Filing this form does not guarantee urgent scheduling or an order.
Common mistakes
Seeking an expedited hearing for non-emergency repairs, failing to notify the landlord about emergency repairs, withholding safety evidence until the hearing, using the wrong form after tenancy ends or assuming ordinary service deadlines apply to an expedited proceeding.