The Minimum Housing and Health Standards are rules that landlords must follow about the upkeep and condition of their rental properties. These standards deal with many different health and safety issues in rental properties. They include:
- Buildings are waterproof, windproof, and weatherproof.
- All windows and outside doors are in good repair, free of cracks, and weatherproof.
- Outside doors and windows can be locked. In the winter, windows must protect against the cold weather. In the summer, there must be screens for outside windows.
- Stairs and railings in good repair.
- All walls, windows, ceilings, floors, and floor coverings are in good repair. This includes free of cracks and holes, and in an easy to clean condition.
- The furnace is in good repair and is able to heat all living spaces to a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. During the winter when it’s very cold, the furnace must keep up a temperature of at least 16 degrees Celsius.
- If the rent includes electricity, water, and heat, then the landlord must make sure that they provide those utilities.
- All hot running water must be between a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius.
- The landlord must provide a refrigerator and stove maintained in a safe and proper operating condition.
- The property must be free of pest infestations. The tenant must cooperate with pest control measures.
The Minimum Housing and Health Standards are enforced by Alberta Health Services, Environmental Public Health.
If a tenant thinks the landlord is not meeting health or safety standards, the tenant should inform the landlord, in writing, of the problem. The tenant can request that the landlord take steps to fix the problem. If the landlord does not take those steps, the tenant could contact Health Link at 811 to speak with an inspector.
November 2023
