Which alternative formats and grounds are considered?
RTB-36 permits requests for an in-person, written or other alternate format. The form asks whether exceptional circumstances involve a physical or mental disability, geographic or language barriers, a large number of participants, or both sides having lawyers. Check the official Policy Guideline 44: Format of Hearings and explain specifically why a normal hearing or conference would not be suitable in your case. A preference alone may not justify a change.
Complete all three sections
- Section 1 — Dispute information: RTB file number, requester name and contact/service address, rental address, hearing or conference date and time.
- Section 2 — Request details: Select the relevant grounds and proposed format, explain the barriers and supporting facts, and identify the evidence. The form also has a place to request a written decision and reasons where required.
- Section 3 — Signature: Sign and date the request, with the applicant's or authorized agent's full name.
Deadlines: ordinary and expedited hearings
For a regular hearing, submit the request as soon as possible before the hearing or conference date. For an expedited hearing, the prescribed form says to submit within three days of receiving or being deemed to receive the Notice of Dispute Resolution Proceeding package. Enter the notice's issue date, receipt date and service method, and explain any late submission. Do not assume that requesting a different format postpones a scheduled hearing.
Submission is not the same as uploading evidence
The form says to submit RTB-36 by email to HSRTO@gov.bc.ca or in person at the RTB office in Burnaby or a Service BC location. Do not upload RTB-36 to the dispute file: the form says an uploaded request will not be considered. It also asks for supporting evidence while separately warning that evidence cannot be submitted to the RTB by its general email address. Confirm the acceptable evidence-delivery method with the RTB instead of assuming ordinary email attachments will count.
What happens after submission?
The RTB contacts the other party for their position, considers both sides' information, and sends a written decision on the format request. If an in-person hearing is allowed, attendees remain responsible for their own travel and attendance costs; a venue may be far away. If you need disability accommodations or interpreting, tell the RTB clearly what assistance you require.
Common mistakes
Uploading the form to the dispute portal, missing the expedited three-day deadline, giving only a personal preference without supporting facts, or assuming the hearing is cancelled while a request is pending.