Alberta Landlord Resources is an overview of organizations that support landlord knowledge and education in Alberta. My initial brainwave was to write a resource listicle for Canadian landlords. I quickly realized it would take me all week, maybe even a couple of months, rather than the couple hours I budgeted for writing this article. Instead, I decided to start by writing a resource list for Alberta landlords. I’ll keep adding provincial and some municipal resources throughout the upcoming weeks. In a few months, I may even have my Resources for Canadian Landlords completed. Well, as complete as possible for 2021.
Landlords and Tenants, and rent and rentals
A provincial government Alberta landlord resource website that contains services and information on a variety of topics including;
- Affordable housing programs
- Rental agreements
- Cannabis in condos and rentals
- Rental evictions
- Information about living in or operating a residential rental property
- Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) Handbook and reference guide
- Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS)
- Security deposits and changes
- Sub-meters for rentals
Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA)
Alberta public legal website dedicated to contributing to, advancing, and promoting legal knowledge and education of the people of Canada. This site posts useful, easy-to-understand articles that explain the legalities of landlording specifics such as, death of a tenant, domestic violence toolkit, how the legalization of cannabis impacts landlords, etc., including condo law for Albertans.
Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS)
This is a quasi-judicial tribunal that offers Alberta landlords and tenants a method of resolving disputes. The website offers forms, documents, eligibility, service requirements, online applications, and an overview of the hearing process.
Service Alberta
Service Alberta is the Government of Alberta ministry responsible for landlord and tenant matters. You can contact them to either file a complaint or ask about the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
They also have a listing of RTA offenses and their charges
- Edmonton: 780-427-4088
- Alberta: 1-877-427-4088
- By E-mail: [email protected]
RECA
Another good Alberta Landlord resource is the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent governing authority that sets, regulates, and enforces standards for all residential real estate, commercial real estate, property management, condominium management, and mortgage brokerage licenses across the province.
If consumers have experienced unprofessional, unethical, or incompetent service from their real estate professional, complaints can be filed online.
Alberta Human Rights Act
The Alberta Human Rights Act is a provincial law that protects against discrimination under 15 grounds including:
- Race
- Colour
- Ancestry
- Place of origin
- Religious beliefs
- Gender
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
- Age
- Physical disability
- Mental disability
- Marital status
- Family status
- Source of income
- Sexual orientation
AHRA includes housing, landlords, and tenants.
Alberta Landlord Resources extend to housing, safe neighborhoods, and communities.
Minimum Housing and Health Standards
The primary objective of the Minimum Housing and Health Standards is to protect and promote the health and well-being of occupants of rental housing premises and of those who may reside in the immediate vicinity of such premises. It establishes minimum conditions which are essential to good health and which make housing premises safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation. The Housing Regulation and corresponding Minimum Housing and Health Standards govern the conditions and maintenance, the supplied utilities, and the use and occupancy of housing. They are enforced by inspections of housing premises by public health inspectors/executive officers of Regional Health Authorities.
Alberta Condominium Property Act (ACPA)
This act specifies the condominium legislation in Alberta. It covers condo bylaws, standard insurable unit descriptions, dispute resolution, reserve fund studies, and condo rentals.
Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act
This act holds property owners accountable for regularly occurring activities on their property that threaten the safety of the community or neighbourhood. It also sets out the process for making a complaint to the Director of Law Enforcement as well as the Director’s role, responsibility, and authority in this regard.
Safer Communities and Neighborhoods (SCAN)
This act holds property owners accountable for regularly occurring activities on their property that threaten the safety of the community or neighbourhood. It also sets out the process for making a complaint to the Director of Law Enforcement as well as the Director’s role, responsibility and authority in this regard.
SCAN falls under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. It is a unit of the Alberta Sheriffs that helps keep communities safe by dealing with properties that have a habitual occurrence of illegal activity such as:
- Trafficking Drugs
- Prostitution
- Sales or consumption of liquor or cannabis under the Gaming, liquor and cannabis act (GLA)
- Gang criminal activity
- Child sexual abuse
Complaints can be called in anonymously toll-free at 1-866-960-SCAN or by filling out a form.
Municipal Landlord-Tenant Associations
Most municipalities have a landlord-tenant association/board that offers information and support to landlords and tenants. Some offer paid memberships, others are free. Below is an overview.
Ø Calgary Residential Rental Association (CRRA)
CRRA is a paid resource based in Calgary that gives residential landlords access to professional services and learning opportunities, including training and resources.
Ø Alberta Residential Landlord Association (ARLA)
ARLA is a paid resource based in Edmonton that offers access to professional services and learning opportunities, including training and resources.
Ø Alberta Landlords Association
This website is provided by the Alberta Landlord Association and the Canada Landlords Association. It is an online community for landlords involved in renting property. It provides free access to information, resources and suppliers of value to residential and commercial landlords, tenants, real estate agents, property managers and other property professionals. It services Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Lloydminster and Red Deer.
Ø Landlord & Tenant Advisory Board – Fort McMurray, AB
The Landlord and Tenant Advisory Board provides information, advice and mediation services for landlords and tenants. Their vision is to: “Encourage Landlords and Tenants to work together to resolve issues.”
Rentboard and Rentfaster
Rentboard.ca and rentfaster.ca are online rental platforms where landlords post ads for rental properties and where tenants search for rental properties. They also offer forms to members.
211
Calling 211 provides access to a network of community, social, health and government services. Calls are answered by Community Resource Specialist and referred to the appropriate service or services. Services include ;
- Homeless shelters and drop-ins
- Housing payment assistance
- Housing search assistance
- Landlord tenant support
- Low income housing
- Supportive housing
- Transitional housing
- Online/abuse shelter
- Youth shelter
Resources change regularly; however, this Alberta Landlord Resources overview gives you a starting point for your foundation.
Are there additional resources you would like to have added to this listicle? I’d love to know about them [email protected]
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