Missing a Residential Tenancy Branch hearing is one of the most consequential mistakes a tenant or landlord can make in a BC tenancy dispute. Whether you missed it by accident, didn't realize how serious it was, or simply ran out of time to prepare — the outcome can be costly. Here's exactly what happens, and what your options are afterward.
What happens immediately if you don't show up
RTB hearings in BC are conducted by phone or video conference at a scheduled time. If you don't call in or join at the scheduled time, the arbitrator will typically wait a short period (usually 5-10 minutes) before proceeding without you.
Once the arbitrator proceeds, the hearing continues with only the present party. They present their evidence and testimony, and the arbitrator makes a decision based on what's in front of them. There's no one to challenge their version of events, ask questions, or present a contrary case — which is exactly why these decisions usually favour the party who showed up.
Key point: A no-show doesn't automatically mean you lose. In rare cases, the arbitrator may find the present party's evidence insufficient even without opposition. But in the overwhelming majority of cases, missing the hearing results in a decision against you.
If you're a tenant who missed a hearing
If your landlord applied for an order to end your tenancy and you missed the hearing, the arbitrator likely issued an order of possession in the landlord's favour. This is enforceable and can result in eviction, sometimes with assistance from the courts or even police if you don't comply.
If the dispute was about a damage deposit, unpaid rent, or another financial matter, a monetary order may have been issued against you.
If you're a landlord who missed a hearing
If a tenant applied for an order (for example, to recover a damage deposit, dispute a rent increase, or challenge an eviction notice) and you missed the hearing, the arbitrator likely ruled in the tenant's favour. This could mean you're ordered to return a deposit, pay a penalty, or have an eviction notice cancelled.
Can you fix it after the fact?
Yes, but the window is narrow and the bar is high. You have two main options.
Apply for a review of the decision
You can request a review consideration of the arbitrator's decision. This must be filed within a strict deadline — typically within a few days of receiving the decision. A review is only granted in limited circumstances:
- You didn't receive the notice of hearing (improper service)
- You were unable to attend due to circumstances beyond your control (a genuine emergency, not simply forgetting)
- New and relevant evidence has come to light that wasn't available at the time of the hearing
- The decision was obtained by fraud
Simply being busy, confused about the timing, or having changed your mind about wanting to attend does not meet this threshold. Reviews are decided on the strength of your explanation, so be specific and provide supporting evidence (medical records, proof of address issues, etc.).
Appeal to BC Supreme Court
In limited cases, you can apply for judicial review of an RTB decision in BC Supreme Court. This isn't a simple appeal of the facts — courts only intervene where there was a significant legal or procedural error, not just because you disagree with the outcome. This path is expensive and time-consuming, and almost always requires a lawyer.
What to do if you're about to miss a hearing
If you realize in advance that you can't attend your scheduled hearing — due to illness, work conflict, or any other reason — contact the Residential Tenancy Branch immediately to request an adjournment. Adjournments aren't guaranteed, but a request made in advance with a legitimate reason is taken far more seriously than an after-the-fact excuse.
If you're unsure whether your reason qualifies, or if you've already missed a hearing and are trying to figure out your options, getting legal advice quickly matters. The deadlines for review applications are short, and the threshold for success is specific.
How to make sure this doesn't happen to you
- Read every RTB notice carefully the day you receive it and write the hearing date somewhere visible
- Confirm the hearing format (phone or video) and test your access ahead of time
- If you're unsure about the process, request an information session or speak with a tenant or landlord advocacy organization beforehand
- If something comes up that could prevent you from attending, request an adjournment as early as possible — don't wait until the day of