How to Serve a Rent Increase Notice in BC: Every Permitted Method

Permitted Service Methods Under the RTA

Section 88 of the Residential Tenancy Act and Section 43 of the Residential Tenancy Regulation allow service by personal delivery, mail, leaving the notice with an adult resident, leaving it in a mailbox, posting it on the door, faxing it to a number provided for service, or emailing it to an address provided in writing for service. The RTB can also order substituted service. A text message or phone call alone is not a standard service method.

Mail, fax, door, and mailbox service have deemed-receipt periods under Section 90 of the RTA; email has a 3-day period under Section 44 of the Residential Tenancy Regulation. These periods affect how much lead time you need.

1. Personal Delivery

Hand the completed Form RTB-7 directly to the tenant or an adult person who lives with the tenant at the rental address. Deemed receipt is the same day.

This is the fastest method and the one that gives you the most control over timing. The main risk is proving it happened — if the tenant later denies receiving it, you need a witness or some other record.

Best practice: Bring a witness who can confirm the date, time, and that the tenant (or a co-occupant) accepted the document. If possible, have the tenant sign an acknowledgement of receipt on a copy you keep.

2. Posting on the Door or Mailbox

Tape or affix the notice securely to the tenant's main entrance door, or place it in their mailbox or mail slot. Deemed receipt is 3 days after posting.

This works when the tenant isn't home or isn't answering the door. The three-day delay means you need to plan your timeline accordingly — posting on September 27 gives you deemed receipt of September 30.

Best practice: Take a timestamped photo of the notice on the door. Record the date and time in a service log. If a witness is present, have them note it as well.

3. Regular or Registered Mail

Mail the notice via Canada Post to the tenant's residential address. Deemed receipt is 5 days after mailing, regardless of whether the tenant collects the mail.

This is the slowest method and the one most affected by the deemed delivery delay. Mailing on September 25 pushes deemed receipt to September 30. If you mail on September 26 instead, deemed receipt shifts to October 1 — and you've just lost an entire month on your effective date calculation.

Registered mail does not change the deemed receipt timeline. It costs more but provides a tracking receipt that proves you sent it.

Best practice: Keep the Canada Post receipt with the date of mailing. If using registered mail, keep the tracking number and confirmation of dispatch.

4. Fax

Fax the notice to the fax number the tenant provided as an address for service. Deemed receipt is 3 days after faxing.

Best practice: Keep the fax confirmation sheet showing the destination number and transmission date, along with the written record that the number was provided for service.

5. Email

Send the notice electronically to the tenant's email address provided in writing for service. Deemed receipt is 3 days after sending.

There is one strict prerequisite: the tenant must have provided an email address in writing specifically for service. Parties commonly use Form RTB-51 (Address for Service), but the form is not the only way to provide the address.

A general history of emailing back and forth about maintenance or rent payments does not designate an address for service. The service address must be provided in writing.

Best practice: Have Form RTB-51 on file before you need to serve anything. Attach Form RTB-7 as a PDF to the email, include a clear subject line ("Notice of Rent Increase – [Address]"), and keep a copy of the sent email with timestamp.

Choosing a Method

If timing is tight, personal delivery gives the most room. If the tenant is hard to find in person and has already provided an email address for service, email is equally fast in legal terms.

For a full timeline calculator covering every method — including backward-calculation worksheets for specific target dates — see the BC Rent Increases guide.

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