What happens when tenants fail to pay rent or utilities?. 

Cartref Properties will contact the tenant and discuss the non-payment, explaining their payment has been declined and politely request they re-submit payment. In order to protect the owner’s interest with regards to the tenancy, we will issue a ten day notice to the tenants. A ten day notice provides tenants five days to make payment of the rent, failure to do so requires they vacate the property after the ten days. There are additional days for service as outlined in the Residential Tenancy Act depending on the form the notice is served. 

Cartref Properties sends notices by email and registered mail. In order to send it by email you must have the tenants permission to use that email for service of official documents. Sending by email adds three days to the five days of notice. Cartref Properties officially sends the notice by registered mail which adds five days to the notice period for delivery and it provides a tracking number for confirmation of delivery. 

When a tenant pays within five days, the notice ceases to exist and the tenancy continues. When the tenant fails to pay within five days an owner can choose to accept the funds reinstating the tenancy, or continue with the eviction of the tenants. Our experience shows us it is very uncommon for a tenant to vacate after ten days. In this case, an application to the Residential Tenancy Branch would be required to request an order of possession. After an order of possession is obtained we would move forward with the eviction process to vacate the tenants. Vacating a tenant may require the involvement of a bailiff. Bailiffs are the only people in BC who can make a person physically vacate a property. 

The entire process of non payment of the rent and or eviction can be long and time consuming for both parties. 

Looking for Property Management you can find more information about us at: www.cartrefproperties.com