The landlord has 10 days to deliver a statement of account with a cheque for the security deposit (if there is money owing after any deductions) to the tenant. “Deliver” means the landlord must put the statement in the mail within 10 days of the tenant moving out. It does not mean the tenant has to receive it within 10 days.
If a tenant does not receive the statement of account and security deposit from their landlord within a reasonable period after the 10 day deadline, he or she should write to the landlord requesting the return of the security deposit. A sample letter is included below.
If the tenant and landlord cannot reach an agreement, the tenant can make an application in Alberta Court of Justice Civil or the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service for the return of the deposit. Tenants may also consider filing a complaint with Service Alberta.
It is an offence under the Residential Tenancies Act for the landlord to fail to deliver a statement of account to the tenant.
See our article Getting your security deposit back.
January 2015
