These changes include the requirement for the seller / landlord to generate a Three Month Notice to End Tenancy for Purchaser’s Use (RTB-32P) form using the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) web portal. Additionally, the legislation imposes stricter penalties for non-compliance or bad-faith evictions.
Changes take effect on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Sellers / landlords will no longer be required to upload a copy of the Contract of Purchase and Sale to the web portal. Instead, the RTB has created a new form requiring specific non-confidential information to be uploaded. Furthermore, minor language updates will occur on the web portal to better align it with current practice and requirements of the Residential Tenancy Act.
Updated Requirements for Requesting Vacant Possession
Buyers must now meet stricter requirements under the Residential Tenancy Act to request vacant possession. The Contract of Purchase and Sale (CPS) must clearly outline how the parties will address the existing tenancy upon completion. Additional actions are now required beyond the proper completion of the CPS, creating an obligation for the seller / landlord to issue a notice to end the tenancy.
Personal Information Requirements to Generate Notice
The seller / landlord must register for a Basic BCeID to access the Residential Tenancy Branch Web Portal. Specific personal information is required to generate a notice for vacant possession to the tenant. To ensure timely notice generation, it is recommended that the required buyer’s personal information and tenancy details be gathered as early as possible in the process.
Potential Legal and Financial Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with the updated requirements or serving bad-faith evictions can result in significant legal and financial penalties. Buyers and sellers must ensure they understand and adhere to the new rules to avoid potential penalties.