Watch this webinar in partnership with the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant
Useful Websites
- BC211 – Housing – Click on “Housing” on the home page and enter your postal code to find services in your neighborhood. You can also search by specific type of service.
- Landlordbc.ca – Call the 1-888-330-6707 helpline for owners and managers of rental housing.
- Tenant’s Survival Guide Online – provides basic but highly informative education on residential tenancy law in British Columbia.
- Living Together or Living Apart: Common-Law Relationships, Marriage, Separation, and Divorce– Explains the basics of family law in BC
Government Resources
- Residential Tenancy Branch site
- For landlords and tenants of residences.
- Includes guides for being a new landlord, rent increases, forms, dispute resolution, and the Residential Tenancy Branch
- Housing Homepage
- Includes information on strata housing, Indigenous housing, home owner grants, real estate in BC, and the BC Building Code.
- BC Housing – BC Housing works in partnership with the private and non-profit sectors, provincial health authorities and ministries, other levels of government and community groups to develop a range of housing options.
- BC Housing Emergency Shelter Map
- Second-Stage Housing Providers List – Second-stage housing assists women who have left abusive relationships make plans for independent living.
- Transition Houses & Safe Homes List – Find and contact a transition house or safe home near you.
- Senior Services Society – Temporary Housing Program
- Seniors Services Society – Seniors Housing Directory of BC – A directory to help seniors find housing options across BC in the category that they are looking for (e.g., regular market rental, subsidized, assisted living, hospice, etc.). Includes the option to filter for places that are wheelchair-accessible, that allow pets, or that permit indoor smoking.
- BC Housing – Supportive Housing- For people who may have mental and physical health conditions, substance use and/or other challenges that puts you at higher risk of homelessness.
- BC Housing – Addiction Recovery Program – Stable, short-term housing for individuals participating in a substance use recovery program. By referral only.
- BC Housing – Independent Living BC Program – A subsidized, assisted-living program that provides housing with support services to seniors and people with disabilities. By referral only.
- BC Housing – Affordable Rental Housing – If you earn too much to be added to the Housing Registry but are nevertheless struggling to find affordable housing, consider searching the Housing Listings (below) for below-market or co-op rentals.
- BC Housing – Housing Listings – A searchable list of affordable housing options in BC (includes subsidized, below market rentals, and co-ops). Eligibility requirements apply.
- BC Housing – Information for Tenants
- BC Housing – Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) – A rental supplement available to low-income BC seniors (60 years old or over). Check here for eligibility requirements and how to apply.
- BC Assessment – Find Information on Property in BC – Review sales and assessment values for properties in BC.
- BC Government – Home Owners Grant – Apply online or call 1-888-355-2700 to reduce the property tax owing on your principal residence. Additional grant is available to seniors.
- BC Government – Property Tax Deferment Program – A low-interest tax deferal program for eligible homeowners in BC.
- Government of Canada – Homeowners – A list of tax credits, rebates, grants, and other topics of potential relevance to homeowners.
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) – Rental Market Reports – Analysis and market trends for major centres across Canada including Vancouver Island
- Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
Non-Profit Resources
- Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC) – Information Line for free help – 1-800-665-1185
- BC Rent Bank – Each rent bank provides financial and support services to tenants in specific regions of the province. All financial assistance is paid directly to the landlord or utility company by the local rent bank. 2023 Housing Income Limits (HILs) needed to qualify for a loan.
- Co-operative Housing Federation of BC – FAQs – Learn about what co-operative housing entails in BC.
- Renting it Right in British Columbia – Video-based course guides BC residents through the rental process, in preparation for submitting a strong rental application. Course participants who pass the final exam will earn a certificate to present to landlords.
- John Howard Society
- M’akola Housing Society – provides safe, affordable and appropriate homes primarily for Indigenous people and families.
- Salish Lelum Housing Society – provides essential services to Nanaimo and area Indigenous population
Advocacy
- Povnet Find and Advocate Tool – PovNet is an online community of advocates and front-line workers that addresses poverty and promotes access to justice for vulnerable residents of British Columbia.
- People’s Law School
- TRAC Advocacy – TRAC’s Housing Law Clinic Lawyer can provide free legal advice and/or representation
- Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association
- BC Homeless Blog – Find an Advocate Guide – Most resources are province-wide. Legal aid and other information.
- Access Pro Bono Residential Tenancy Program
