How to evict a tenant

The landlord serves a written notice for a reason the law allows. For unpaid rent, the notice gives at least 14 clear days, and paying everything owed by the termination date cancels it. For a substantial breach, the notice is 14 days and the tenant can object in writing. For assault, threats or significant damage, the notice can be 24 hours, but the landlord must then apply to the RTDRS or the court within 10 days after the tenancy ends or the notice is void. No-fault reasons from the government's list need 3 tenancy months, and a major renovation or condo conversion needs 365 days.

If the tenant stays, the landlord gets an order from the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service or the Alberta Court of Justice, files it with the Court of King's Bench, and has a civil enforcement bailiff carry it out. The RTDRS fee is $75 for claims of $7,500 or less and $150 above that. A landlord cannot change the locks or physically remove a tenant.

The landlord serves the right Residential Tenancy Branch notice: a 10 Day Notice (RTB-30) for unpaid rent, a One Month Notice for Cause (RTB-33) for things like serious disturbance or damage, or a longer notice when the landlord or a buyer will move in or the building is being demolished or converted. Landlord's-use and purchaser's-use notices now have to be created through the RTB web portal.

If the tenant does not leave, the landlord gets an order of possession from the RTB, then has it enforced through the B.C. Supreme Court by a court bailiff. A landlord who locks a tenant out or removes their belongings without an order can face a penalty of up to $5,000.

For unpaid rent, the landlord can serve notice once rent is 3 days late. Paying the full amount plus costs by the date on the notice stops the termination, unless the landlord confirms in writing at the time of payment that the tenancy is still ending. For other problems the landlord usually gives a written warning first, then one rental payment period's notice, or at least 5 days in serious cases. When the landlord, a spouse, a parent or an adult child will move in, the notice is 3, 4 or 5 months depending on the vacancy rate. When a buyer will move in, a monthly tenancy needs 1 month's notice if the vacancy rate is 3% or higher and 3 months if it is lower, and a fixed-term tenancy needs 3 months. In both cases the tenant gets reasonable moving costs of up to $500.

If a landlord-use or sale notice is given between September 1 and June 30 to a tenant whose child attends a nearby school, the tenant does not have to leave until the school year ends. If the tenant stays, the landlord applies to the Residential Tenancies Branch, and Sheriff's Officers enforce the order. Changing the locks to force a tenant out can lead to an administrative penalty.

The landlord serves a written notice that states the reason. When rent is 15 days or more overdue, the landlord can end the tenancy right away by notice. Most other causes need at least one month's notice, and no-fault reasons such as moving in or a major renovation need two months.

If the tenant does not leave, the landlord applies to the Office of Residential Tenancies for an order of possession (the fee is $50), and the sheriff enforces it. A landlord cannot take the unit back without that order, and cannot change the locks unless the tenant agrees and gets new keys.

The landlord serves the Landlord and Tenant Board notice for the reason: N4 for unpaid rent; N5, N6 or N7 for interference, damage or illegal acts; N12 when the landlord, a family member or a buyer will move in; N13 for demolition, conversion or major renovation. For N4 notices given on or after September 21, 2026, the tenant has 7 days (it used to be 14), and paying everything owed before the landlord files ends the notice.

If the tenant stays, the landlord applies to the LTB (L1 for rent arrears, L2 for most other reasons). Only the Court Enforcement Office, also called the Sheriff, can carry out an eviction order. Changing the locks without giving the tenant a key is illegal.

For unpaid rent, the landlord serves a Notice to Vacate giving at least 15 days, and the tenant can cancel it by paying everything within 7 days. For extensive damage, a health or safety risk, or illegal activity, the landlord can ask a residential tenancies officer to end the tenancy early. For other problems, the landlord first serves a notice describing the problem; if it is not fixed, an officer can order the tenant to comply and then end the tenancy. No-fault notices are limited to a few reasons: the landlord, their spouse, child or parent, or a parent of their spouse, will live there for at least 3 months; the unit will be used for something other than housing; or a tenancy tied to a job ends with the job. A renovation needs prior approval, and selling the property is not a reason on its own.

Only a residential tenancies officer or a Court of King's Bench judge can order an eviction, and a sheriff enforces it. When evicting, the landlord can change the locks only with the officer's written permission or with the sheriff present. These are the rules as of October 2026.

For unpaid rent, the landlord can serve notice from the 4th day after rent is due, taking effect no earlier than the 10th day after it is given. Within 10 days the tenant can pay, which voids the notice, or apply to set it aside. A breach of the good-behaviour or cleanliness conditions, or subletting without consent, allows a 15-day notice (Form E). Other problems, such as repeated late rent, safety risks, illegal activity or extraordinary damage, go to the Director by application.

There is no general no-fault notice. Own or family use needs a Director's order, and demolition or major renovation needs a signed agreement on form DR5 or a Director's order, with compensation for the tenant. When a building with 4 or fewer units is sold and the buyer or their family will live there, the landlord can give at least 2 months' notice on form DR2. The Director's order (the application fee is $31.15) can be made an order of Small Claims Court at no charge after the 10-day appeal period, and the sheriff enforces it. Locks can be changed only by mutual consent.

For unpaid rent, the landlord serves Form 4A, which takes effect no earlier than 20 days after service. Within 10 days the tenant can pay, and the notice has no effect, or dispute it. For cause, including repeated late payment, the notice is one month, ending the day before rent is due, and the tenant has 10 days to dispute it. No-fault notices need 4 months when a landlord who is an individual, or their family, will move in; 2 months when a buyer will move in personally (4 for the buyer's family, and only for buildings with fewer than 3 units or a condo unit); and 6 months for demolition or conversion. The tenant gets one month's rent plus reasonable moving expenses, or another unit they accept.

The Director of Residential Tenancy at the Rental Office decides disputes and issues orders, IRAC hears appeals only, and a sheriff enforces the order. PEI's rental office says the eviction rules are the same all year.

For unpaid rent, once rent is 5 days overdue the landlord can serve a notice to leave in no less than 10 days (for a weekly tenancy, 3 days overdue and 3 days' notice). Paying cancels the notice, unless the landlord has given this notice more than twice in 12 months. For a material breach, the landlord gives written notice to fix it, then at least one month's notice before the end of a rental period. Damage or interference allows at least 5 days' notice, and an uninhabitable unit can be ended right away. A landlord can also end a monthly tenancy without a reason, with 3 months' notice before the end of a rental period.

If the tenant stays, the landlord applies to the Residential Tenancies Office for an order of possession, which the sheriff enforces. Locks cannot be changed without mutual consent, and belongings left behind must be stored for 30 days.