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AllowedResidential Tenancy Branch (British Columbia)·

Tenant Wins Double Security Deposit in Tenancy Dispute

Case No. AnonDec-301326

📌 In brief

The a person Tenancy a person ruled in favour of a tenant who had not received their full security deposit back after moving out. The court ordered the landlord to pay double the amount of the security deposit plus interest and cover the filing fee for the dispute resolution application.

Topics

security depositstenancy disputes

Provisions

Residential Tenancy Act (BC), s. 38(1)Residential Tenancy Act (BC), s. 38(6)

📚 Full judgment

The summary, holding and questions above are VadeLab’s own material. The official decision itself is published by the court, and we do not reproduce it on this page.

⚖️ View on the official court website ↗

📊 How courts decide similar cases

Among 12 similar decisions in this collection:

A snapshot of this collection — not a prediction of your case's outcome.

⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this

✅ Tends to be accepted

  • The landlord did not return the security deposit.
  • The landlord did not file a claim against the security deposit.
  • The landlord failed to take action regarding the security deposit within fifteen days.
  • The tenant did not pay the rent they owed.
  • The tenant did not challenge a notice to end tenancy within five days.

Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What did this decision decide?

The tenant was entitled to recover double their security deposit from the landlord.

Who was involved?

A tenant and a landlord were involved in a tenancy dispute.

How did the court decide, and why?

The court decided that the landlord failed to return the security deposit within 15 days of receiving notice or end of tenancy, as required by law.

Which laws or rules were applied?

Sections 38(1) and 38(6) of the Residential Tenancy Act (BC).

What was the argument that mattered most?

The tenant's evidence showed they had not received their full security deposit back within the required timeframe.

Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?

For the tenant.

What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?

Tenants can recover double their security deposit if landlords fail to return it within 15 days of receiving notice or end of tenancy.

What evidence or documents mattered?

Proof of service, forwarding address, and payment details were key pieces of evidence.

Can a decision like this be appealed?

Yes, decisions from the Residential Tenancy Branch can often be appealed to the Provincial Court of British Columbia (Small Claims Court).

Is it worth getting a lawyer for a case like this?

It is recommended to seek legal advice from a qualified lawyer for specific cases.

Official source: Residential Tenancy Branch (British Columbia) this page does not reproduce the decision; it links to the court's own publication. View on the official source ↗Summary, holding, technical summary and questions: produced by Artificial Intelligence based on the official headnote and judgment. These are VadeLab’s own material and are not the work of the Court.This decision was issued by the Residential Tenancy Branch (British Columbia) (© Province of British Columbia). VadeLab reproduces no part of the decision text; the summary above is VadeLab's own material. VadeLab is not affiliated with, and this page is not endorsed by, that court or tribunal.