The Rental Housing Tribunal

What the Tribunal deals with

Complaints about "unfair practices": anything a landlord or tenant does that breaks the Rental Housing Act, or a practice prescribed in the regulations, such as deposits not refunded, no receipts, lack of maintenance, illegal lockouts or utility cut-offs, overcrowding or exploitative rent. Any tenant, landlord, group of them or interest group may lodge a complaint (s13(1)).

The Tribunal cannot hear applications for eviction orders; only a court can evict (s13(14); see the eviction overview).

What happens after you complain

1. The Tribunal registers the complaint and its staff investigate (s13(2)(a) and (b)).
2. If the dispute can be settled, a mediator is appointed (s13(2)(c)). A mediated agreement can be made a ruling.
3. If mediation fails, the Tribunal holds a hearing and makes a ruling that is just and fair (s13(2)(d)). It can summon people and documents.
4. The ruling is deemed to be a magistrate's court order (s13(13)). The Tribunal can also issue spoliation and attachment orders and interdicts (s13(12)(c)).

While the complaint is pending, for up to 3 months, the landlord may not evict, the tenant keeps paying the rent that applied before any disputed increase, and the landlord must carry out necessary maintenance (s13(7)).

Provincial contacts

Contacts copied from the official pages on the date shown in the sources above. Check the page before you travel.

Rental Housing Information Offices

Some municipalities run Rental Housing Information Offices that advise landlords and tenants about their rights, help them resolve problems, and refer cases to the Tribunal (s14).