FAQs

Our comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions on landlord and tenant issues in Alberta. Select a topic of interest to see the related questions and answers.

Dispute Resolution

If the landlord makes an application against the tenant, will the tenant find out?

Who can help a landlord or tenant to prepare for a hearing?

Where can landlords and tenants of mobile home sites resolve their tenancy disputes?

Eviction Notices

What is the procedure to evict someone?

Can the landlord change the locks?

Can a tenant be evicted in the winter months?

What happens if the tenant does not object and does not move?

Can condominium boards evict tenants?

Secondary Suites

I live in an illegal secondary suite. Is this a reason for breaking my lease?

How do I know if I live in an illegal secondary suite?

Can I be fined and/or evicted because I live in an illegal suite?

I rent out an illegal secondary suite in my house. Can I be penalized for doing this?

Where can I find more information on illegal secondary suites?

Inspection Reports

Do tenants have to attend the inspection?

What happens if a tenant does not show up for the inspection?

What should a tenant look for at a move-in inspection?

Can the inspection report be changed if the tenant notices something wrong after signing it?

What does an inspection report look like?

Who should keep a copy of the inspection report?

What if an inspection report was not completed?

Landlord Responsibilities

Does a landlord have to provide the tenants with contact information?

Can a landlord increase the rent at any time?

When can a landlord enter a tenant’s rental unit?

Does a landlord have to do something about loud tenants?

Can the landlord or tenant change the lease without the other’s consent?

Does a landlord have to tell tenants if the property is sold?

Does a landlord have to tell tenants if the property is being foreclosed?

What are offences under the Residential Tenancies Act?

Leases

Does the lease have to be in writing?

What can be included in the lease?

Can the landlord or tenant ever “break the lease”?

Can the landlord require a tenant to provide proof of insurance as a condition of the lease?

Does everyone who is living in the property have to be named on the lease?

The lease says that no pets are allowed. Is this legal?

What happens at the end of a fixed term lease?

What are my obligations as a co-signor?

Can I ask my landlord to lower my rent?

Legislation

Are laws about renting the same across Canada?

How do tenants know if the Residential Tenancies Act applies to their situation?

Will the Residential Tenancies Act rules be written in the lease?

What happens if the terms of a lease contradict the Residential Tenancies Act?

What actions can be taken if a landlord or tenant is breaking the law?

A tenant did not move into a property but has already paid an application fee to the landlord. Can the landlord keep the money?

Notice of Entry by Landlord

What if the landlord did not provide a Notice of Entry?

Can a tenant refuse to allow the landlord to enter the property?

How often can a landlord enter the property?

If the property is being sold, does the realtor have to provide a Notice of Entry?

Notice of Landlord

What if the landlord has not provided a Notice of Landlord?

If the property is sold, when does a new landlord have to provide the Notice of Landlord?

Does a tenant have to be personally served with the Notice of Landlord?

Pets and Emotional Support Animals

Can a landlord charge a non-refundable pet fee and a security deposit?

Can I get an emotional support animal even though my landlord says no pets are allowed?

The lease says that no pets are allowed. Is this legal?

Repairs & Pests

What are the Minimum Housing and Health Standards?

What can a tenant do if the landlord won’t do any repairs?

Can a tenant stop paying rent while waiting for repairs to be done?

If a tenant completes repairs, can he or she bill the landlord?

Does a landlord have to give the tenant notice before making repairs?

Can a repair person enter the property without the tenant being present?

Is a landlord allowed to make frequent and disruptive repairs?

Who is responsible for getting rid of bugs in a rental property?

Does the landlord have to paint between tenants?

Who’s responsible for dealing with lead in drinking water in a rental home?

Rent Increases

How much can a landlord increase rent?

How often can my landlord increase my rent?

What happens if the notice does not include all of the required information?

What if the tenant cannot afford to pay the increased rent?

Roommates / Shared Accommodation

How many people can live in a house or apartment?

Does each roommate need to sign the lease?

If a roommate has not signed the lease, are they still responsible for conditions in the lease like shoveling snow?

If a roommate moves out, does the landlord have to return part of the security deposit?

One of my roommates is moving out and we don’t have anyone new to move in right away. Is he still responsible for his share of the rent?

I live with my landlord and we keep arguing about everything. What can I do?

What can I do if I have a problem with my roommate?

Security Deposits

Moving In

What is the maximum amount a landlord can ask for a security deposit?

Can a landlord charge a non-refundable pet fee and a security deposit?

Can a tenant pay the security deposit in installments?

Who sets the interest rate for security deposits and when must the interest be paid?

I put a security deposit on a house and signed the lease agreement. My landlord called me today and said that I am not able to take possession of the house. Is this illegal?

Moving Out

What can a tenant do if the landlord does not provide the security deposit?

If two tenants rent an apartment together and one of them moves out, does the landlord need to return half of the security deposit?

Can a landlord ask for extra money if a tenant causes damage that costs more than the security deposit?

Can a landlord deduct carpet cleaning or painting expenses from the security deposit?

Can a landlord keep the security deposit if inspection reports were not completed?

What should tenants do if they don’t agree with the deductions?

Subletting / Assignment

What are reasonable grounds for a landlord to refuse to sublet or assign?

When a property is sublet, does the original tenant still pay rent to the landlord?

Should the original tenant and new tenant (subtenant) sign a written agreement?

Who can evict subtenants?

Tenant Responsibilities

Can a tenant refuse to pay rent?

What if a tenant breaks a rule in the lease?

Why can a tenant be evicted?

Can a tenant have guests?

Does a tenant have to tell the landlord if he or she is going on vacation?

Termination of Tenancy by Landlord or Tenant

What if the landlord does not give the proper amount of notice?

Can the tenant move before the notice takes effect?

What if the landlord does not use the property for the reason stated in the notice?

What happens if the tenant does not give the proper amount of notice?

If the landlord has done something wrong, but it’s not a substantial breach, what can the tenant do?

Other Rental Issues

(cannabis/marijuana, utilities, and foreclosure)

I suspect that my landlord is in financial trouble and might be going through a foreclosure. What can I do?

Who is responsible for utility payments?

Now that recreational cannabis is legal in Canada, can landlords still restrict its use in rental properties?

Can I rent out a short-term rental unit?