Jira & Confluence 
Bitrix24 British Columbia · Residential Tenancy Act, s.38
Moved out and still waiting for your damage deposit? — forwarding address letter, 15 days counted
Short answer. The letter is already open below: add your new address, the deposit and how you're delivering it. Give your forwarding address: In writing, within 1 year after the tenancy ends — otherwise the landlord may keep the deposit (Residential Tenancy Act, s.39).
- Landlord's last day to return the deposit with interest or apply to the RTB (15 days): type the date
- Sent by mail? It counts as received on the 5th day — enter the mailing date to see that day: type the date
- Haven't given your address yet? Last day to do it — 1 year after the tenancy ended (enter the end date): type the date
Check your own case.
The 15 days run from the later of the end of the tenancy and the day the landlord receives your forwarding address in writing (Residential Tenancy Act, s.38(1)). A mailed letter is deemed received on the 5th day after mailing; a letter left in the mail slot or on the door, on the 3rd day (s.90); an email to the landlord's address for service, on the 3rd day (Residential Tenancy Regulation, s.44). Run the calculator again with the mailing date or the end date for the other lines.
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Two dates matter: the day the tenancy ended and the day the landlord gets your address. The 15 days count from whichever is later.
Send it in a way you can prove — a registered mail receipt or a sent email beats a conversation at the door.
An illustrated character, not a lawyer.
Deadlines
The rules, with the source
| What | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Give your forwarding address | In writing, within 1 year after the tenancy ends — otherwise the landlord may keep the deposit | Residential Tenancy Act, s.39 |
| Landlord returns the deposit or applies to the RTB | Within 15 days after the later of the end of the tenancy and receiving your forwarding address in writing; with interest | RTA, s.38(1) |
| Landlord misses the 15 days | Can't claim against the deposit and must pay you double | RTA, s.38(6) |
| Your application for double the deposit | The RTB may order it without a further dispute resolution process | RTA, s.38.1 |
| When a letter counts as received | Mail: 5th day; mail slot or door: 3rd day; email to the address for service: 3rd day | RTA, s.90; Residential Tenancy Regulation, ss.43–44 |
| Other claims about the tenancy | Within 2 years after the tenancy ends | RTA, s.60 |
The landlord may keep an amount you agreed to in writing at the end of the tenancy, or one the RTB ordered (s.38(3)–(4)). You can lose the deposit if you skipped both move-in or both move-out inspection opportunities the landlord offered (ss.24(1), 36(1)).
Step by step
What to do, in order
1
Note your move-out date
The day the tenancy ended and the day you returned the keys.
2
Fill in the letter
New address, deposit amounts and how you want to be paid. Don't sign away any deductions you don't agree with.
3
Deliver it with proof
By hand, by mail, in the mail slot, or by email to the landlord's address for service. Keep the receipt or the sent email.
4
Count the 15 days
From the later date. If you mailed it, add 5 days for deemed receipt.
5
No deposit and no RTB application?
Use the optional section of the letter to ask for double the deposit.
6
Apply to the RTB
Ask for an order for double the deposit (s.38.1). Bring the letter and your proof of delivery.
Questions
Do I have to give my forwarding address in writing?
Yes. The landlord's 15 days start only when they receive it in writing (or when the tenancy ends, if that is later). If you never give it within a year, the landlord may keep the deposit.
Can the landlord just keep part of it for cleaning?
Only if you agreed in writing, or the RTB orders it. Otherwise, within 15 days they must return it or apply to the RTB to claim against it.
Do I really get double?
The law says a landlord who misses the 15 days must pay double. You still need to show the dates, so keep proof of the end of the tenancy and of delivering your address.
Official sources
Other documents
Keep the papers in one place
Letters, receipts and notices in one folder you can share with family or a lawyer. The templates and the editor are free; Layers is free for up to 20 people.
This is a ready document and a deadline calculation, not legal advice.