B.C. landlord took too long to replace carpets after eviction, must pay tenants $36K: court

A B.C. landlord in Coquitlam has been ordered by the courts to pay over $36,000 to former tenants for taking too long to move into a unit after evicting them—a delay tied to poor timing in carpet replacement. This recent decision comes after the B.C. Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling by the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB), agreeing that the landlord did not act within a reasonable timeline after eviction.

The dispute began when the landlord evicted tenants citing personal use of the property. However, court documents show the landlord waited about 75 days—more than two months—before finalizing carpet replacement and moving in. This went beyond what the law allows as a “reasonable” interval in such cases.

Justice Sheila Tucker, in a decision released on June 6, 2025, dismissed the landlord’s attempt to overturn the RTB ruling. She stated that the arbitrator’s finding—that the landlord failed to follow the legal time limits—was “not patently unreasonable,” affirming that courts must respect the RTB’s discretion unless there is a clear error.

Under B.C. tenancy laws, when tenants are evicted for personal or purchaser occupancy, the landlord must complete the move-in within a timeline that is reasonable in the circumstances. Delays without valid reasons may entitle tenants to compensation. In this case, the RTB determined compensation should surpass $36,000, and the Supreme Court upheld that figure.

The tenants expressed relief and satisfaction with the ruling. A post on social media echoed their sentiment, describing the legal outcome as clear-cut: “It was extremely straightforward and the verdict was upheld. The landlord was a liar. Case closed.”

This case highlights a key message for landlords in B.C.: if you're evicting tenants for your own use, you must follow the law—not just in declaring intent, but also in acting promptly. Failure to do so may result in costly consequences, as demonstrated by this $36,000 ruling.