Are there supports for landlords? Yes! Many landlords believe they have to figure everything out on their own. That’s simply not true. There are many supports and resources in place for landlords. If you don’t know how to find them, this is an overview resource guide for Alberta Landlords.
Which Acts Apply to Residential Rental Properties?
Residential rental properties have acts and regulations that govern every aspect of the structure’s safety and health and the tenants’ safety and health.
As a residential landlord, there are two main acts you familiarize yourself with; the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and the Innkeepers Act. The RTA is your go-to act if you rent properties where you do not live. Basically, the Innkeepers Act applies to landlords with rooming houses or renting rooms in their private residence.
Below is a list of resources with links to acts that govern residential housing and landlord-tenant law in Alberta and support resources for landlords.
Residential Landlords Acts
- Alberta Residential Tenancies Act
- Alberta Residential Tenancies Ministerial Regulation
- Alberta Residential Tenancies Act – Termination of Tenancy (Domestic Violence) Regulation
- Innkeepers Act
- Mobile Home Sites Tenancies Act
- Mobile Home Sites Tenancies Ministerial Regulation
- Increased security for Alberta renters | alberta.ca
Condominium Acts
Freedom of Information and Privacy & Human Rights
- Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
- Personal Protection Act
- Enhancing Human Rights Protection in Alberta
Public Health and Safety, Housing and Building Standards
- Public Health Act
- Real Estate Act
- Real Estate Act Regulations
- Minimum Housing Standards
- Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act
- Builders Lien & Prompt Payment Amendment Act
- Alberta Housing Amendment Act
- Alberta Health Services:
1-833-476-4743 or HealthLink at 811.
RTDRS Eviction Process
- Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service – Rules of Practice and Procedure
- RTDRS Cases & Resolutions
- Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service- Regulation
Day-to-day Landlord Operations
If you find the interpretation of the Acts confusing – you’re in good company, The Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA) does an excellent job of explaining laws in plain language. Included are also links to CPLEA resources and supports for communities experiencing habitual illegal activity and essential services for tenants experiencing issues that may require referrals to third-party providers.
- Information for Renting a Mobile Home
- Laws for Landlords & Tenants
- Service Alberta – Information for Landlords
- Centre for Public Legal Education
- CPLEA’s Human Rights Law Resources
- Does the RTA Apply?
- Security Deposit Interest Calculator
- 8 Rules for Smart Landlords
- Residential Tenancy Agreements – Fees & Charges
- SCAN: Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods– supports communities/landlords with a chronic occurrence of illegal activity (SCAN) and resources to assist tenants if they have issues that provide a network of community, social, government, and health
- 211 Alberta – essential services that link Albertans to the right resources, including housing
Pests
Unfortunately, pests and rodents are a part of landlording. Here are resources that provide information on how to deal with them.
- Bedbugs: how do I prevent an infestation? – Canada.ca
- Cockroaches – Canada.ca
- Rats and mice – Canada.ca
Issues with Real Estate Professionals
RECA is the independent governing authority that enforces professional standards for real estate professionals in Alberta. If you have issues with your real estate professional, you can file a complaint with The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA).
Dealing with Common Issues
There are popular issues all landlords deal with from time to time, such as abandoned goods, frozen pipes, floods, fires, non-payment of rent, domestic violence, insurance, etc. There are many supports to guide you through the processes.
- Abandoned Goods
- After the fire
- After the Flood
- Death of a Tenant
- What to do when a tenant refuses to pay
- Frozen Pipes
- Generic Debtor Locator article from RentCheck
- Important Residential Tenancies Act Timelines
- Smoke Free Housing Alberta
- Rent Increases
- Rent Increases
- Moving a tenant out – things to know!
Insurance
- Information on Rental Insurance
- State of the Canadian Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance Market
Eviction
Cannabis
Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Toolkit
- Domestic Violence: Tip Sheet Safer Spaces for Victims
- Tip Sheet Domestic Violence
Personal Information and Privacy
Human Rights
Landlords are only sometimes aware that housing falls under the Human Rights Act in Canada. Here are supports to explain how it applies.
- Human Rights in Tenancy Information Sheet
- Human Rights in Condominiums Information Sheet
- Duty to Accommodate Human Rights Guide
- Age Discrimination
Others who have gone before you are willing to offer their wisdom and supports. Simply by educating yourself with available landlord resources ensures a better outcome when you need guidance or advice, as we all do.
What are your favourite landlord supports? I’d love to know about them, email me [email protected]
To take advantage of helpful tips, tools, and educational resources for DIY landlords, sign up for a membership for Landlord Fundamentals 101. To save even more time and money, combine Landlord Fundamentals 101 with one-on-one coaching to qualify for the Canada Alberta Job Grant.
To have access to all the resources in one place – buy my book! Canadian Landlords Handbook.
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