Landlord and tenant

The Alberta Residential Landlord Association brings together owners, operators and managers of residential rental properties. Working together, they promote professionalism, education and equity in all aspects of the Residential Rental Business for the benefit of industry members and tenants.

The Calgary Residential Rental Association provides a voice for the residential rental industry, and provides professional services and learning opportunities for members, including educational programs and resources.

If a rental property is foreclosed upon, the rights of the tenant and the rights of the landlord will be affected. This booklet from the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta answers frequently asked questions about the foreclosure process with a focus on the implications for tenants. This 8 page PDF is available for free download.

This blog post clarifies the current law in terms of the human rights of residential tenants in Alberta, identifies concerns about a lack of effective protection of tenants’ human rights at the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service, and suggests that lawyers and advocates working in this area should ask questions to determine if discrimination is occurring and, if so, make their clients aware of their rights and how they can protect them.

This online resource is from the Government of Alberta and includes information about: Renting; Buying; Building/Buying a New Home; Condominiums, Cooperatives and Mobile Homes; Real Estate Agents, Home Inspectors and Appraisers; Legal Resources; Home Insurance; Property Taxes; Utilities; Renovations and Repairs; Housing Supports – Aboriginal Peoples; Housing Supports – Immigrants and Non-Residents; Housing Supports – Low Income; Housing Supports – Persons with Disabilities; Housing Supports – Rural Residents; Housing Supports – Seniors; Housing Supports – Students; and Additional Resources.

Rights and responsibilities for landlords and tenants, and how to resolve disputes.

In August 2016, the Residential Tenancies (Safer Spaces for Victims of Domestic Violence) Amendment Act, Termination of Tenancy (Domestic Violence) Regulation, and amendments to the RTA Ministerial Regulation, were proclaimed. These changes to the RTA allow victims of domestic violence to end a tenancy early and without financial penalty. This legislation applies in cases where if the tenancy continues: •  The tenant’s safety is at risk; •  A dependant child’s safety is at risk; or •  A protected adult’s safety is at risk.

The Residential Tenancy Act is provided by the King’s Printer. (PDF – 55 pages)

This handbook explains the rights and responsibilities of all tenants, landlords, and agents involved in renting residential premises in Alberta under the Residential Tenancies Act and related regulations. It explains the minimum legislated requirements set out in the Act and provides landlords and tenants with options to deal with matters not established as minimum requirements.

The following topics are covered in the handbook: residential tenancy agreements; inspection reports; security deposits; other fees and charges; landlord’s distraint; rent increases; landlord’s right of entry; security; termination of tenancy; determination of normal wear and tear during residency; and abandoned goods.

In a rental agreement, both landlords and tenants have certain rights and obligations. In deciding whether a court application is appropriate, it is important to gain a good understanding of your obligations as well as the remedies available to you.

The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) offers landlords and tenants an alternative means of resolving serious disputes outside of court. A tenant or a landlord who has concerns related to an eviction, unpaid rent/utilities, security deposit, damages, repairs or other common disagreements can use the service.

Find commonly used application forms, affidavits, notices and tip sheets for residential tenancy disputes in Alberta.

Service Alberta’s divisions are committed to delivering high-quality business, financial, information and technology services to government ministries as well as a diverse range of services that touch the lives of Albertans. Divisions include: Consumer Information; Businesses and Charities;  Landlords & Tenants; Registries; Drivers and Vehicles; Land Titles; Vital Statistics; Information and Technology; and Government Buying and Selling.

Service Alberta investigates complaints from Albertans about consumer transactions, including landlord and tenant issues. The first step in the complaint process is to talk with an Information Officer at 780-427-4088 in Edmonton and toll free at 1-877-427-4088 throughout the rest of the province.

The UCA represents Alberta small consumers by acting as the voice of consumers during regulatory proceedings to ensure the lowest regulated rates consistent with reasonable service, and by providing consumers with the information they need to make informed choices about how to purchase electricity and natural gas, based on their individual circumstances. When consumers have exhausted known avenues of issue resolution, the UCA will investigate and mediate concerns with utility companies.

This is a guide on how to buy products and services in Alberta and contains information about your consumer rights. You will need to buy certain items and you will need to use certain services as you settle into as you start your new life in Alberta.