When this phase can be used
The landlord must have an RTB approval decision, have imposed Phase 2 through its proper notice and details, and still have an approved amount that can lawfully be carried into Phase 3.
What to include with the notice
Critical Phase 3 timing rule: the official RTB-53-P3 says the effective date must be within 24 months after Phase 2's effective date (the earliest Phase 3 date is ordinarily 12 months after Phase 2). If this later window is missed, the form says the landlord cannot proceed with this Phase 3 notice. Attach RTB-53-P3D and the original RTB decision, and respect the 3% per-phase limit.
Timing, amounts and delivery
For an increase under this prescribed procedure, the landlord must give tenants at least three whole rental months' written notice, using an authorized service method and allowing for legally deemed receipt. The effective date must also respect at least 12 months since rent was established or last legally increased. The additional capital-expenditure portion is capped at 3% in a single phase and must be supported by the RTB decision and the calculation for that tenant. The accompanying RTB-53-P3D is the matching calculation sheet; serve the forms together.
Common mistakes
Assuming an RTB application is the same as approval, serving only the notice, miscalculating the authorized remainder, using a phase before the prior phase has been properly imposed, overlooking the three full months' notice, or treating the annual percentage allowance as the separate capital-expenditure percentage.
How this phase differs from the other RTB-53 forms
Phase 3 follows a previously imposed Phase 2 increase.
The Province says landlords can use this notice only after securing capital-expenditure rent-increase approval and imposing the Phase 2 additional increase through the Phase 2 forms or calculator.
RTB-53-P3 gives the Phase 3 notice. The accompanying RTB-53-P3D provides the calculation details and must be attached. Phase 3 is not a way to bypass the approval or earlier implementation steps.
Confirm that an eligible additional amount still remains, that earlier phases were properly imposed, and that the phase amount and timing comply with the current RTB directions. The special per-phase cap and the ordinary annual rent increase have different roles.
For the authoritative phase-by-phase process, see the BC government guidance on eligible capital-expenditure rent increases.