Choose RTB-42O rather than RTB-42T or RTB-42L
RTB-42O addresses contact details, parties and removing a claim. To add a related claim or change the substance or amount of an existing claim, tenants should use RTB-42T and landlords should use RTB-42L. You cannot use RTB-42O to amend a direct-request application. Some reasonably anticipated changes or amendments agreed to by respondents may instead be addressed by an arbitrator at the hearing; this is not automatic.
Complete the five sections
- Section 1 — Key dispute information: Indicate whether a landlord or tenant is filing, enter the RTB file number and the rental unit or manufactured-home site address.
- Section 2 — Service or dispute address: Identify whether you are changing the applicant's address, the respondent's address for service, or correcting the rental property address. Give the new full address and any applicable email address for service.
- Section 3 — Add or remove a party: Name anyone being removed. To add an applicant, representative or agent, identify their role, service address and contact details, and say whether they will become the primary contact. A new respondent cannot be added using this form.
- Section 4 — Remove an existing claim: Identify the claim as it appears on the hearing notice and explain which part you seek to withdraw.
- Section 5 — Declaration: The primary applicant or authorized agent prints their name, signs and dates the statement that the information is complete and accurate.
The 14-day filing and service requirement
For an advance amendment, the RTB and every respondent must receive the form and supporting material at least 14 days before the hearing. The Province's deadline calculation excludes both the hearing day and the day the RTB or respondent receives the documents, so do not simply subtract 14 calendar dates from the hearing date. Allow extra time for delivery and legally deemed receipt. The RTB generally requires amendments to be served using the same legal service rules as the application, and you must keep proof of service.
Submit it in the correct category
Submit the form through Dispute Access using the option “I want to submit a paper request for amendment”, or take it to the Burnaby RTB office or a participating Service BC centre. Do not upload the amendment as ordinary evidence: the prescribed form warns that requests mixed into evidence may not be considered. Serve all respondents with the accepted amendment and any supporting documents. Ultimately, the arbitrator determines whether the proposed amendment can be accepted fairly.
Common mistakes
Using RTB-42O to add a respondent, trying to change a monetary claim instead of using RTB-42T or RTB-42L, uploading the form under evidence, serving the form after the deadline or overlooking deemed-receipt time. Read BC Policy Guideline 23 if party names or procedural fairness are in issue.