Vancouver Tenant Relocation Policy: TRPP Rules for Landlords

What the TRPP Actually Requires

Vancouver's Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy (TRPP) operates alongside the provincial Residential Tenancy Act for qualifying rezoning and development permit applications involving eligible rental housing.

The citywide policy applies to qualifying rezoning and development applications involving eligible rental housing received from February 15, 2016 onward. Enhanced protections apply to eligible projects in the Broadway Plan area, Rupert and Renfrew Plan area, Transit-Oriented Areas, and Grandview-Woodland rental apartment areas. Requirements depend on the project's applicable policy.

• Right of first refusal: In projects with enhanced protections, eligible tenants may return at their current rent or 20% below city-wide average market rents, whichever is less
• Temporary rent top-ups: In projects with enhanced protections, tenants may receive monthly top-ups during construction or a lump sum calculated over 33 months
• Moving assistance including relocation logistics support

The City administers the TRPP through rezoning and development permit processes and can require compliance before approving a qualifying permit.

Vancouver Rental Business Licensing

Separately from the TRPP, the City requires a Long-Term Rental Business Licence to rent residential property you own for 90 days or more at a time. An owner with up to two tenants living with them in their principal residence does not need this licence.

The City lists secondary suites, laneway houses, and condos among the property types that can be rented under this licence program. Licensing is a separate municipal requirement and does not change the RTA notice grounds or process.

How TRPP Compensation Is Calculated

For enhanced protections, the 33-month lump-sum top-up is based on the difference between the tenant's current rent and the CMHC average market rent for newer rental units of that unit type in Vancouver. The City updates the rent benchmarks annually.

This is separate from provincial compensation. A landlord undertaking a qualifying project that requires a renovation or repair order under RTA Section 49.2 owes the provincial one-month compensation under Section 51.4 as well as any applicable TRPP relocation package.

When the TRPP Does Not Apply

The TRPP applies to qualifying rezoning and development applications, not routine tenancy terminations. Projects outside the enhanced-protection areas may still be subject to the citywide TRPP if they meet its eligibility requirements.

Even within Vancouver, smaller-scale renovations that don't require a development permit may fall outside TRPP scope. But if there's any question about whether your project triggers the policy, check with the City's planning department before serving notice. Getting it wrong can delay your project by months.

Where the Provincial Rules Still Apply

Every tenancy termination in Vancouver still requires full compliance with the provincial RTA. The TRPP adds requirements — it doesn't replace them. You still need the correct prescribed RTB form, the right notice period, proper deemed-service calculations, and proof-of-service records; landlords can use Form RTB-34 to document service.

For a complete walkthrough of the provincial notice process, deemed service rules, and all required RTB forms, the Ending a Tenancy in British Columbia guide covers the full compliance workflow from choosing the right form through to an RTB hearing, with fillable worksheets for every step.

See more British Columbia guides →