Why proof of the forwarding address matters
Under the Residential Tenancy Act, a tenant must provide a forwarding address in writing within one year after the tenancy ends to preserve the statutory right to a deposit refund. After the tenancy has ended and the landlord has received the written forwarding address, the landlord generally has 15 days after the later of those events to return the deposit with applicable interest or take an authorized step to retain it. RTB-41 helps prove the forwarding-address service date; it does not itself order repayment.
Page 1: Address and service details
- Enter the full legal names of the tenant or tenants and the forwarding postal address. The Province's February 2026 direct-request checklist requires a complete mailing address, not email alone.
- Enter the old rental unit or site address as recorded in the tenancy agreement.
- Identify the landlord or authorized agent who was served, the service address, and the exact time, date and method used to give the written forwarding-address notice.
- Check the method actually used: hand delivery; recording the address on the move-out inspection report; registered mail; mailbox or door delivery; fax; email to an authorized address for service; or a substituted-service method expressly ordered by the RTB.
Page 2: Evidence confirming service
In Special Details, describe where you left the notice, whom you handed it to or the email address you used. Complete the matching confirmation:
- Hand delivery: Obtain the receiving person's signed acknowledgement, or provide an appropriate witness statement.
- Registered mail: Attach the Canada Post receipt showing date and time of purchase and a printed tracking report.
- Witnessed mailbox, door or move-out report delivery: Enter the witness's name, delivery details, date and signature.
- Email or fax: Include proof the landlord agreed to that email address or fax number for service, such as RTB-51 or another written agreement. Keep the sent communication with the actual forwarding address.
- Substituted service: Attach the RTB order permitting the different method, and proof that it was followed.
The person who served the written address must also sign and date the confirmation and enter their service address. Check that the notice, RTB-41 and receipts tell the same timeline.
How it fits the tenant's direct request
If the landlord has not dealt with the deposits after the applicable period, the tenant may be eligible to use the deposit-return direct request process with RTB-40 and the separate tenant application. The Province's checklist warns that a missing or incorrect RTB-41 proof of service can lead to dismissal; the tenant may need to supply valid proof or properly re-serve the written forwarding address.
Common mistakes
Listing an email address instead of a full forwarding mailing address, assuming simply writing the address on RTB-41 proves it was delivered, omitting registered-mail tracking evidence, relying on informal email contact as service permission, or missing the one-year forwarding-address deadline.