Companion Support Persons: Rights in BC Rental Housing

Living with a disability or need often means relying on a companion support person to help with daily tasks, medical monitoring, or emotional support. If you rent in British Columbia, the law protects your right to have a companion support person live with you or visit your rental home, even when a landlord has a no‑pet or no‑guest rule. This guide explains what tenants should expect when asking for an accommodation, how to communicate with landlords, what documentation is reasonable to provide, and which forms and tribunals can help if disagreements arise. It also covers practical steps for arranging reasonable accommodations while keeping landlord and tenant responsibilities clear and fair.

What is a companion support person?

A companion support person is someone who helps a tenant with daily living or health-related tasks, mobility, communication, or emotional support. They may live with the tenant or visit regularly. Companion support persons are not the same as roommates; their role is to enable the tenant to use and enjoy the rental unit safely and independently.

Your rights in British Columbia

In BC, tenants have protection under tenancy rules and human rights law. Landlords must consider requests for companion support persons as part of the duty to accommodate, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. The Residential Tenancy Branch is the provincial body handling tenancy disputes and guidance for renters and landlords ^[1]. For discrimination or accommodation refusals based on disability, the BC Human Rights Tribunal is the independent body that hears human rights complaints ^[2]. The Residential Tenancy Act sets out tenancy obligations and is the relevant provincial legislation to consult ^[3].

How to request a companion support person

Use clear, written communication and reasonable supporting information when you ask your landlord for an accommodation. The steps below help make the process fair and traceable.

• Write a concise written request explaining the role of the companion support person and the accommodation you need.
• Provide only the information necessary to support the request (for example, a short note from a health professional), not full medical records.
• Keep copies of emails, texts, letters, receipts, and any dates of phone conversations as evidence.
• If the landlord refuses, ask for reasons in writing and request a meeting to discuss alternatives before filing a formal dispute.

When to apply for dispute resolution or file a complaint

If discussions with your landlord do not result in an agreed accommodation, you can pursue formal options. Consider a tenancy dispute application or a human rights complaint depending on the issue.

• Apply for dispute resolution with the Residential Tenancy Branch to address breaches of the Residential Tenancy Act or unresolved tenancy issues.
• File a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal if you believe the refusal is discrimination related to a protected ground like disability.
• Seek help from tenant advisory services if you need assistance preparing forms or understanding your options.

FAQ

Can a landlord deny a companion support person?

No. A landlord cannot unreasonably refuse a companion support person when the request is for a disability-related accommodation. Landlords may ask for limited supporting information, but they must consider the duty to accommodate and only refuse if accommodation would cause undue hardship.

Do I have to give my full medical records to prove I need a support person?

No. Tenants generally provide limited supporting information, such as a note from a health professional, outlining the functional need. Full medical files are not usually required and you can ask that sensitive details remain private.

What if my landlord still refuses after I ask?

Keep all written communications, then consider applying for dispute resolution with the Residential Tenancy Branch or filing a human rights complaint if discrimination is involved. You can also get help from tenant support organizations.

How-To

1. Identify the specific support tasks the companion will perform and why they are necessary.
2. Review your lease for any clauses that may be relevant and prepare a short written request to your landlord.
3. Attach reasonable supporting information (for example, a healthcare note) but do not include unnecessary private details.
4. Send the request by email or tracked mail and keep a copy of the message and delivery record.
5. If the landlord refuses, ask for reasons in writing and try to negotiate alternatives.
6. If you cannot reach agreement, apply for dispute resolution with the Residential Tenancy Branch or file with the BC Human Rights Tribunal as appropriate.

Key Takeaways

• Tenants in BC have a right to request companion support person accommodations under tenancy and human rights rules.
• Make requests in writing with reasonable supporting information and keep thorough records.
• If informal resolution fails, use formal dispute resolution or human rights complaint processes.

Help and Support / Resources

• Residential Tenancies - BC Government
• BC Human Rights Tribunal
• Residential Tenancy Act and related legislation

1. [1] Residential Tenancies - BC Government
2. [2] BC Human Rights Tribunal
3. [3] Residential Tenancy Act and related legislation

If you are searching for rentals while requesting accommodations, you can also Find Vancouver apartments for rent to explore listing options and neighbourhood information.