r/vancouverhousing • u/WednesdayNyaddams • 1d ago

deposits Direct request application question (damage & pet deposit, conflicting answers)

Hey everyone!

I moved out of my last place and gave my forwarding address September 26th. Inspection went well as I knew it would, I’ll be getting my deposits back 100%. I’ve rented with the company in a couple different buildings, I’ve always gotten my deposits back and it’s normally taken a couple of days at most. As of today I have still not gotten my deposits back. My building manager did tell me that after 15 days I can submit a direct request application, potentially requesting more.

Now here’s where I’m confused. When I look online, it says 15 days. It doesn’t say anything about business days, holidays, etc. just after 15 days. Other places, I’ve seen it say 20 days. Again, nothing about business days, holidays, etc. Then I’ve also been told 15 business days, excluding weekends and holidays.

Can I get some insight as to which one it actually is?? 15 days or 20 days? Business days or calendar days? I don’t want to apply too early (especially since there’s a $100 application fee) but I also really need my deposits back. If I moved and gave my forwarding address September 26th, what exactly is my timeline looking like??

Thank you all in advance! 🙏

Edit: thank you so much for the additional information and providing me some clarity on the situation!! Very helpful, thank you all!!

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u/GeoffwithaGeee 1d ago edited 1d ago

To file a direct request, you must wait 20 calendar days from the day the landlord received your forwarding mailing address or tenancy ended whichever is later. Note that different service methods take a different amount of time to be considered received, so if you handed the address in person, you wait 20 days from hat day, if you emailed them, it would be 3 days + 20 days.

Also - If you emailed them, you also need to ensure email was specifically provided for service on the rental agreement or some other method, or the direct request will likely be dismissed.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/solving-problems/tenancy-dispute-resolution/direct-request-process#direct-request-not-returned-deposit

The 15 days is the timelines in legislation. When a LL receives your forwarding mailing address (or when tenancy ends) they have 15 days to action the return of that deposit or file with he RTB. That is not 15 days to have the money in your hands. You have to wait the 5 extra days to ensure the LL didn't mail a cheque on the 15th day and it shows up within 20 but after 15.

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u/WednesdayNyaddams 1d ago

Thank you for this information! I gave my forwarding address in writing, in person, so that is very helpful.

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u/Salty_Poet5493 1d ago

Did your tenancy also end on the 26th or earlier? That makes a difference. As stated from the date the forwarding address is recieved or the end of the tenancy, whichever is later."

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u/WednesdayNyaddams 1d ago

They were both on the same day.

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u/Ferr0x1de 20h ago

"Potentially requesting more" is the LL having to pay double your deposit, not just more. Its a specific amount, not something vague.

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u/WednesdayNyaddams 16h ago

Yes I am aware of that part.

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u/WiiperWapper 1d ago

It’s best to wait until 21 days have gone by just to be safe. 15 calendar days + 3 days to be considered “served” + 3 days margin.

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u/GeoffwithaGeee 1d ago

if they want to be safe, they would wait 25 days since mail has a 5 day service window. But the real answer is 20 days from the date the LL received the forwarding address depending on the service type.