My landlord is threatening to evict me. What do I do?

Last reviewed May 2024 by the Clicklaw editors

The law says that your landlord can only evict you for certain reasons. If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you enough notice and a reason that is listed in the Residential Tenancy Act in sections 46 to 49.1. Find out more about the types of evictions (Government of BC).

Eviction for renovations

If a landlord wants to end a tenancy for extensive renovations or repairs, they need to apply for an Order of Possession from the Residential Tenancy Branch after they have got all necessary permits. This is explained in section 49.2 of the act. Find out more about the eviction process for renovations (Government of BC).

Eviction notice

Your landlord must give you written notice that includes the reasons for the eviction and how you can challenge the eviction. The amount of notice the landlord must give you depends on the reason they want to evict you, which are listed on this Government of BC page. Section 52 of the act explains how your landlord should give notice for it to be effective.  

How to challenge an eviction

The Tenant Resources & Advisory Centre (TRAC) explains how one-month, two-month, and four-month eviction notices work and how tenants can challenge them. 

Helpful resources 

  • Evictions (Tenant Resources & Advisory Centre (TRAC)): This outlines how one-month, two-month, and four-month eviction notices work, including how tenants can challenge them.
  • The Tenant Survival Guide (TRAC): This resource has a chapter on evictions.
  • Renting It Right (TRAC): This is a list of online courses for tenants. Ending a tenancy and eviction is covered in the course Tenant-Landlord Law in BC.
  • End a Tenancy (Government of BC): This explains how and when a landlord can end a tenancy lawfully.
  • Tenancy Dispute Resolution (Government of BC): This explains the dispute resolution process, including how to apply for dispute resolution online.
  • A Playbook for Tenants (People’s Law School): This helps you learn more about your rights as a tenant, including how to apply for dispute resolution.
  • Renting in BC (People’s Law School): This webinar answers common questions about renting in BC.
  • LSLAP Manual: Landlord and Tenant Law (PDF) (Law Students’ Legal Advice Program): This manual discusses evictions in the section “End of Tenancy.”

Helpful services 

  • Tenant Infoline (TRAC): This info line provides information, referrals, and help for tenants dealing with residential tenancy law matters.
  • Residential Tenancy Branch (Government of BC): You can contact the branch fo information, education, and dispute resolution services for tenants and landlords. They also have an office in Burnaby.
  • Find more services.