Deer Lake Law Group - Burnaby

06/04/2026

Moving in together? Don't overlook these 3 legal issues and keep watching to see how a cohabitation agreement can help.

Read more: https://deerlakelaw.ca/how-a-cohabitation-agreement-can-prevent-costly-legal-disputes-in-bc/

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

Can you challenge an RTB decision in court?

In some situations, a party may apply for a Judicial Review in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

A Judicial Review is not a new hearing or a chance to simply re-argue your case. Instead, the Court examines whether the Residential Tenancy Branch (“RTB”) acted fairly, within its jurisdiction, and in accordance with the law.

Strict deadlines and procedural requirements apply, so acting promptly is important.

Learn more about Judicial Reviews and RTB decisions in our latest blog post: https://deerlakelaw.ca/judicial-review-of-rtb-decisions-in-british-columbia/

05/26/2026

Received an RTB decision you believe is unfair or incorrect?

A Review Consideration may allow the Residential Tenancy Branch (“RTB”) to review a decision in limited situations — such as procedural errors, new evidence, or circumstances that prevented a party from attending the hearing.

However, it is not a second hearing or an opportunity to simply re-argue your case because you disagree with the result.

Strict deadlines apply, so acting promptly is important.

Learn more about when a Review Consideration may be available in our latest blog post: https://deerlakelaw.ca/rtb-review-consideration-what-it-is-and-when-it-applies/

05/21/2026

AI tools are everywhere right now — and many people are using them to ask legal questions.

For general information, AI can sometimes be helpful. It can explain legal concepts quickly and make complex topics easier to understand.

But there’s an important risk: AI tools can also be confidently wrong.

They may cite cases that don’t exist, apply laws from the wrong province, or miss important details that completely change the legal answer. As a result, AI-generated legal advice can sound convincing while still being inaccurate or misleading.

Legal issues often depend on specific facts, deadlines, documents, and BC laws that AI cannot fully assess on your behalf.

There are also privacy concerns to consider before sharing sensitive personal information with an online chatbot.

AI can be a useful tool — but it is not a substitute for legal advice tailored to your situation.

If you have questions about your rights or a legal matter in BC, Deer Lake Law is here to help.

Learn more in our latest blog post: https://deerlakelaw.ca/can-you-trust-ai-generated-legal-advice-what-burnaby-residents-should-know/

05/19/2026

🚪 Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Your landlord… unexpectedly?

In British Columbia, landlords cannot simply enter a rental unit whenever they want. Under the Residential Tenancy Act, tenants have the right to “quiet enjoyment” — meaning reasonable privacy, security, and freedom from unnecessary disturbance.

A landlord may only enter in certain situations, such as:
✔ emergencies
✔ with the tenant’s consent
✔ after giving proper written notice
✔ other limited circumstances allowed by law

And no — wanting to “check in” is not automatically an emergency.

If a landlord enters unlawfully, tenants may be able to seek remedies through the Residential Tenancy Branch, including compensation or orders restricting access.

Knowing your rights is the first step in protecting your home.

Read more:

Can a landlord enter your rental unit without notice in BC? Learn your rights under the Residential Tenancy Act, including notice requirements, emergencies, and quiet enjoyment protections.

05/14/2026

Many clients leave a family law consultation feeling overwhelmed — not because the advice wasn’t clear, but because the amount of information, emotions, and decisions packed into a short meeting can be difficult to retain.

In family law, you’re often discussing parenting arrangements, financial support, timelines, and major life decisions all at once. It’s completely normal to walk away unsure of what was said or what to do next.

At Deer Lake Law Group, we’ve introduced a more modern approach: AI-assisted consultation transcripts.

With client consent only, consultations are recorded, a full transcript is generated, and securely delivered to the client. The recording is then deleted. This gives clients a clear, accurate written record they can revisit anytime — reducing stress, improving understanding, and supporting better decision-making after the meeting.

Legal advice shouldn’t be something you try to remember under pressure. It should be something you can review with clarity when you need it most.

Read the full blog post here: deerlakelaw.ca/why-many-clients-leave-consultations-feeling-overwhelmed-and-how-ai-can-help/

05/12/2026

Meeting with a family lawyer for the first time can feel intimidating — especially during an already stressful time.

Many people wonder:
• “What should I bring?”
• “What will they ask me?”
• “Do I need to have everything figured out first?”

The good news is: you don’t.

A family law consultation is simply a confidential conversation focused on helping you understand your situation, your rights, and your options moving forward.

In our newest blog, we explain:
✔️ What happens during a first consultation
✔️ What documents can help
✔️ Common questions clients ask
✔️ What you can realistically expect from the process

Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or already dealing with a separation, having the right information can make the process feel much more manageable.

Read the full blog here: https://deerlakelaw.ca/what-to-expect-at-your-family-law-initial-consultation/

05/07/2026

Can you be evicted for having an extra pet? 🐾 A B.C. Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) case says: not necessarily.

In this case, a tenant faced eviction over:
• Having more pets than allowed; and
• Displaying a Canadian flag in the rental unit

But the eviction was ultimately unsuccessful. Why?

The RTB found that:
✔ Not every breach of a tenancy agreement is considered “material”
✔ A landlord’s failure to consistently enforce rules can matter
✔ Serious allegations must be supported by credible evidence

That does NOT mean tenants can ignore their tenancy agreement. Repeated or serious breaches can still lead to a valid eviction depending on the circumstances and evidence.

If you receive a notice to end tenancy, understanding your rights — and how the RTB assesses disputes — can make a significant difference.

Read our latest blog to learn more: https://deerlakelaw.ca/can-you-be-evicted-for-having-an-extra-pet-what-tenants-should-know/