---
title: "Vancouver landlord fined $90,000 for 21-room illegal rental near Commercial Drive"
description: "The Residential Tenancy Branch fined a Vancouver landlord $90,000 after inspectors found a home subdivided into 21 rooms housing at least 17 tenants, with no permits for the plumbing and electrical work."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/vancouver-illegal-rental-house-rtb-fine-november-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-10T03:52:02.304Z"
---

A Vancouver landlord has been fined $90,000 by the BC Residential Tenancy Branch after a property near Commercial Drive was found subdivided into 21 rooms housing at least 17 tenants, Global News BC reported on November 9, 2026.

A City of Vancouver inspection in July 2025 found unpermitted bathrooms, plumbing fixtures, and electrical work throughout the home. The City issued a vacate order in August 2025. The RTB found the landlords failed to maintain health and safety standards and did not complete urgent repairs. It ordered an $85,000 fine for the first violation and a $5,000 fine for the second, for a total of $90,000.

Global News reported the property generates $11,000 each month in rental revenue, according to the RTB decision, and is listed for sale at $1.4 million.

## What council and researchers said

[Councillor Stephanie Smith](/candidates/stephanie-smith), a former tenant advocate, told Global News the practices described in the RTB decision are ones she has seen before during her time representing tenants. She said the $90,000 total fine equals eight months of rental income from that property, and suggested that level of penalty may become a cost of doing business for larger landlords operating across multiple properties, rather than a reason to stop.

Andy Yan, the city program director at Simon Fraser University, told Global News the conditions at the property reminded him of Hong Kong's coffin apartments. Yan described the situation as something out of Vancouver's past from the 1800s.

## What the RTB can order

The Residential Tenancy Branch is the provincial body that handles disputes between landlords and tenants in British Columbia. It can hold hearings, order repairs, and issue monetary penalties. The findings of this case are public through the RTB's published decisions.

## What renters can do

Renters who believe their home is illegally subdivided or does not meet health and safety standards can contact the City of Vancouver to request a bylaw inspection. They can also file a dispute with the BC Residential Tenancy Branch at gov.bc.ca/residential-tenancy. The RTB can order repairs and issue fines to landlords who fail to maintain safe conditions.

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