Posted on July 23, 2026

How long does it take to evict a tenant in BC?

Best Answer: It depends

There are multiple reasons why you may need to evict a tenant in British Columbia, and the timelines vary depending on the reason for ending the tenancy. Understanding the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) process can help landlords set realistic expectations.

Let’s dig in…

The 4 main reasons to Evict a Tenant in BC (with links to forms below)

1) Non-Payment of Rent (10 day notice)

2) Notice to End Tenancy (30 day notice)

3) Landlord’s Use of Property (4-Month Notice where applicable under current BC legislation)

4) Construction (Extensive Renovations, Repairs, Demolition, 4 month notice)

2026 Update: British Columbia’s tenancy legislation has changed several times in recent years. Before serving any eviction notice, always confirm you are using the latest Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) forms and notice periods.

The notice periods for each reason vary as shown above. Timelines for legal service, delivery methods, RTB processing times, and enforcement all affect how long an eviction actually takes.

Example

On February 1, you deposit your tenant’s rent cheque. On February 4, your bank notifies you that the cheque has bounced. You contact the tenant requesting payment, but receive no response.

You prepare a 10-Day Notice to End Tenancy for Unpaid Rent and send it by registered mail. Unless legal email service has been agreed to using the appropriate RTB forms, registered mail remains one of the accepted methods of service.

Excluding the mailing date, service by registered mail is considered received 5 days later under RTB service rules.

In this example:

  • February 4 – Notice mailed
  • February 10 – Notice legally received

The tenant then has 5 days after receiving the notice to pay all outstanding rent or dispute the notice.

If they neither pay nor dispute within that period, the tenancy ends on the effective date of the notice.

If the tenant remains in the property after the tenancy has ended, the landlord can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch for an Order of Possession.

If you have a written tenancy agreement and meet the RTB requirements, you may qualify for an expedited process without a hearing. However, actual processing times vary depending on RTB workload.

Once the Order of Possession is issued, it must be legally served on the tenant. If the tenant still refuses to vacate, you can file the Order with the BC Supreme Court to obtain a Writ of Possession.

The writ authorizes a licensed court bailiff to legally remove the occupants and return possession of the property to the landlord.

Court bailiff scheduling typically depends on local availability and may take one to several weeks.

Example Timeline

  • February 1 – Rent is due
  • February 4 – Rent payment is returned and 10-Day Notice is mailed
  • February 10 – Notice legally received
  • February 15 – Deadline for tenant to pay outstanding rent or dispute the notice
  • February 21 – Landlord applies to the RTB for an Order of Possession (if applicable)
  • March – RTB issues Order of Possession (timing varies)
  • Late March – Order legally served, Writ of Possession obtained, bailiff retained
  • Early to Mid April – Bailiff carries out the eviction and returns possession of the property

How Long Does an Eviction Take in BC?

Although every case is different, a non-payment eviction in British Columbia commonly takes 2 to 3 months, and more complex disputes may take longer depending on:

  • Residential Tenancy Branch processing times
  • Tenant disputes
  • Court scheduling
  • Bailiff availability
  • Proper service of notices

Because of these variables, there is no guaranteed eviction timeline.

This is why careful tenant screening remains one of the best ways to reduce the risk of costly evictions. Check out our article “How Do I Screen a Tenant in BC?“ for practical tips.

You can also read about one of the most challenging eviction cases we have handled:

Real World Eviction Process – Vancouver Apartment

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*The above information is not to be relied on as legal advice. If you require professional or legal advise for your personal circumstances, please reach out to us for a referral, or consult with us for property management services.

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