Understanding the RTB-24 Notice for Service or Facility Changes

Understanding the "Notice Terminating or Restricting a Service or Facility" Form (RTB-24)

If you are a landlord or tenant involved in residential or manufactured home park tenancy in British Columbia, you may encounter the need to formally notify about the termination or restriction of a service or facility. The official form used for this purpose is the Notice Terminating or Restricting a Service or Facility, identified as RTB-24. This document is issued by the Residential Tenancy Branch, Office of Housing and Construction Standards, and is designed to ensure clear communication and legal compliance when modifying services or facilities related to tenancy agreements.

What is the purpose of this form?

The RTB-24 form serves as a formal notice from the landlord to the tenant, indicating that a particular service or facility associated with the rental unit or manufactured home site will be either terminated or restricted. This could include amenities such as water, electricity, heating, or other essential or non-essential services. The form ensures that tenants are officially informed of the changes at least 30 days in advance, providing them with an opportunity to understand how these changes might affect their tenancy and rent obligations.

Who should fill out this form?

• Landlords: Responsible for completing and delivering the form to tenants when planning to restrict or terminate a service or facility.
• Tenants: Should review the notice carefully to understand the implications, particularly regarding rent adjustments or the essential nature of the service or facility.

How to complete the RTB-24 form

For landlords:

1. Tenant Information: Fill in the tenant’s full names, address, and site or unit number. Use clear, dark ink if completing by hand, or type responses directly if using a computer.
2. Notice Details: Specify the date when the termination or restriction will take effect (DD/MM/YYYY). Clearly describe the service or facility affected.
3. Impact on Rent: Indicate the amount by which the rent will be reduced due to the loss or restriction of the service or facility. Specify whether the rent reduction is weekly, monthly, or another period.
4. Effective Date and New Rent: State the date when the new rent will start and the updated rent amount.
5. Signature: Sign and date the form to validate the notice.

For tenants:

Tenants should verify the accuracy of the details, especially the description of the service or facility and the proposed rent reduction. If completing the form by hand, print legibly; if electronically, respond directly in the designated boxes. Remember, the form cannot be saved electronically once completed, so print copies for your records before closing the document.

Important considerations for tenants

The Residential Tenancy Act and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act allow landlords to restrict or terminate certain services or facilities unless they are essential for living accommodation or are a material term of the tenancy agreement. If a tenant believes that a service is essential, or that the rent reduction does not match the value of the service lost, they should:

• Discuss concerns directly with the landlord.
• If no agreement is reached, apply for an order from the Residential Tenancy Branch or visit a Service BC office for assistance.

Legal and procedural context

This form and process are governed by sections 27 of the Residential Tenancy Act and section 21 of the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act. The purpose is to promote transparency and fairness, ensuring tenants are properly informed and protected when their services are altered or removed.

Where to submit and additional resources

Once completed, the landlord must deliver the form to the tenant, either in person or through mail, ensuring the tenant receives it at least 30 days before the effective date. For further information or assistance, tenants and landlords can contact the Residential Tenancy Branch or visit the official government website at www.gov.bc.ca/landlordtenant. Public information lines are available for support in different regions, including Greater Vancouver and Victoria.

Understanding this form helps both landlords and tenants navigate their rights and obligations when changes to services or facilities are necessary, fostering transparent and fair tenancy relationships.