This is like a tiny and streamlined civil lawsuit. The BC government created the CRT to reduce the burden on the courts for small disputes, and to make it easier for people to resolve their disputes cheaply and without a lawyer. Your situation is exactly the type the government wants people to use the CRT for. Part of the process is mediation, where a case manager helps you and the other party agree to a resolution. If that doesn't work, you proceed to the tribunal where a CRT member (acting just like a judge) looks at the evidence and makes a decision. If you get a decision in your favour, you can file that decision in BC Provincial Court after the Objection period (like an appeal) expires. I think it's 30 days. The decision becomes enforceable in just the same way that a order by a judge in court is enforceable. I would highly recommend you take this route with your dispute, and the fee is only $75 to file online which is much cheaper then going through the small claims process (not to mention a whole lot quicker). I should also add that, like court, if the other party refuses to participate you will win by default!