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→Getting evidence
If you have witnesses, it is best if they come to the hearing. If they can't come in person, get a sworn statement. This is your witness' description of what happened, sworn before a lawyer or Notary Public. This will cost you money.
If your hearing is held over the telephone, your witnesses can participate. Give the names and phone numbers of your witnesses to the Residential Tenancy Branch before the hearing. Make sure you talk to your witnesses beforethe before the hearing. They need to know what questions you are going to ask them. And you need to know what answers they are going to give!
You can also bring letters, receipts, photographs, audio and video tapes to the dispute resolution hearing. If you need equipment to play a video or audio tape, you must tell the Residential Tenancy Branch in advance. If you are seeking a monetary order, please use the Residential Tenancy Branch [http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/documents/RTB-37.pdf Monetary Order Worksheet]. You should provide copies of your papers and photographs to the Residential Tenancy Branch and landlord at least five business days before the hearing. (If the hearing will be held by phone, you must send copies of your evidence to them in advance.) Your landlord must do the same. If your evidence is only made available at the hearing, the landlord can ask for the hearing to be held at a later date. The dispute resolution officer may refuse to consider evidence brought at the last minute.