---
title: "Vancouver landlords fined $90,000 after dividing home into 21 rooms for 17 tenants"
description: "The Residential Tenancy Branch fined two Vancouver landlords after an inspection found a century-old home near Commercial Drive had been split into 21 rooms without permits."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/rtb-landlords-fine-21-rooms-november-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-06T02:58:37.705Z"
---

Two Vancouver landlords have been fined $90,000 after splitting a single-family home near Commercial Drive into 21 rooms for at least 17 tenants, the Residential Tenancy Branch ruled following a city investigation, Global News reported on November 5.

A city property use inspector visited the century-old house in July 2025 and found it had been divided into 21 rooms. At least 17 tenants were living there. Multiple bathrooms and plumbing fixtures had been added without permits. The City of Vancouver issued an Order to Vacate in August 2025.

The Residential Tenancy Branch found the landlords did not maintain the property to the health, safety, and housing standards the law requires, and that they failed to complete urgent plumbing and electrical repairs. The Branch ordered them to pay $85,000 for the first violation and $5,000 for a second.

The City of Vancouver told Global News that a property use inspector found the home vacant earlier in 2026, and that no further enforcement actions were needed at that time.

## What the new council said

Mayor [Pete Fry](/candidates/pete-fry) told Global News that council is committed to tenant protections. "This is great work by our city inspectors to ensure that the standards of maintenance and occupancy are upheld," he said.

The case shows how the city's inspection system can reach properties that do not meet legal standards, even when no formal complaint from a tenant has been reported publicly.

## About RTB fines

In British Columbia, the Residential Tenancy Branch can fine landlords who do not maintain their properties to health, safety, and housing standards. Fines go to the Province, not to the tenants who lived in the property.

Renters who believe their rental does not meet legal standards can file a complaint with the Residential Tenancy Branch or contact the City of Vancouver's property use inspection service.

## What renters can do

Renters in Vancouver can report unsafe rental conditions to the Residential Tenancy Branch at gov.bc.ca/residentialtenancy. The City of Vancouver also accepts reports about properties that may not meet safety or maintenance standards. There is no deadline to report a concern.

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