The Minimum Housing and Health Standards are the rules that landlords must follow regarding the upkeep and condition of their rental properties. These standards deal with many different health and safety issues in rental properties.

• Buildings must be kept in a waterproof, windproof, and weatherproof condition.
• All windows and outside doors must be kept in good repair, free of cracks, and be weatherproof.
• Outside doors and windows must be capable of being locked. In the winter, windows must protect against the cold weather. In the summer, there must be screens for outside windows.
• Stairs and railings must be in good repair.
• All walls, windows, ceilings, floors, and floor coverings must be in good repair, free of cracks and holes, and must be in a condition that makes them easy to clean.
• The furnace must be in good repair and be able to heat all living spaces to a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. In the winter, when it is really cold, the furnace must be able to keep up a temperature of at least 16 degrees Celsius.
• If electricity, water, and heat are included in the rent, then the landlord must make sure that those utilities are provided.
• 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.

June 2015