Alberta Rental Questions, Answered
Plain-English answers to the questions Calgary landlords and tenants ask most, backed by the Residential Tenancies Act and current RTDRS practice. Read in 2 minutes, decide with confidence.
Can a landlord enter without notice in Alberta?
No. Under Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), a landlord must give a tenant at least 24 hours' written notice before entering a rental unit, and entry can only happen betwee...
How much security deposit can a landlord charge in Alberta?
A landlord in Alberta can charge a maximum security deposit equal to one month's rent. The deposit must be placed in an interest-bearing trust account within two business days, and...
When can a landlord raise the rent in Alberta?
In Alberta, there is no rent control. A landlord can raise rent by any amount but only once every 365 days for a tenant, and only after providing 3 full months' written notice for ...
How do you evict a tenant in Alberta?
In Alberta, a landlord must follow the Residential Tenancies Act eviction process: serve a written notice for a valid reason (non-payment, substantial breach, or end-of-term), wait...
Can a tenant break a lease early in Alberta?
Yes, but only in specific circumstances: by mutual agreement with the landlord, under a domestic-violence termination certificate, or for a substantial landlord breach. Otherwise, ...
What are tenant rights in Alberta?
Alberta tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment, a habitable unit, written notice before entry, freedom from discrimination, return of their security deposit, and access to the R...
What are landlord rights in Alberta?
Alberta landlords have the right to receive rent on time, enter the unit with proper notice, screen tenants legally, evict for valid cause, deduct from the security deposit for dam...
How much notice for a rent increase in Alberta?
For a monthly periodic tenancy in Alberta, a landlord must give the tenant at least 3 full calendar months' written notice of a rent increase. For weekly tenancies, the notice is 1...
When does a landlord have to return the damage deposit in Alberta?
In Alberta, a landlord must return a tenant's security deposit within 10 days of the tenancy ending if no deductions are made, or within 30 days with an itemised statement if any d...
What counts as normal wear and tear in Alberta?
Normal wear and tear in Alberta is the gradual deterioration of a rental unit from ordinary use, faded paint, minor carpet wear, small nail holes, and worn cabinet hinges. Landlord...
Are move-in inspections required in Alberta?
Yes. Section 19 of the Alberta Residential Tenancies Act requires landlords to complete a written move-in inspection report within one week of the tenant taking possession, and a m...
Is subletting allowed in Alberta?
In Alberta, a tenant can sublet or assign a lease only with the landlord's written consent, but the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. Section 21 of the Residential Tenancies Act...
Is Calgary blanket rezoning still in effect in 2026?
No. Calgary City Council voted 12-3 on April 8, 2026 to repeal blanket R-CG rezoning, with the reversal effective August 4, 2026. Over 300,000 residential parcels reverted to their...
Do I still need to file the Underused Housing Tax (UHT) in 2026?
For most Canadian owners, no. The federal government eliminated the Underused Housing Tax (UHT) and its filing requirements starting with the 2025 tax year and onward. UHT still ap...
Can a landlord serve an eviction notice by email in Alberta in 2026?
Yes. Alberta's 2025 amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act (via the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act) added electronic delivery to the list of permitted service metho...
When is the Calgary secondary suite amnesty deadline?
December 31, 2026. The City of Calgary's Secondary Suites Amnesty Program waives development permit and registration fees for existing unpermitted or non-conforming secondary suite...
Can I qualify for CMHC MLI Select on a Calgary 4-plex?
No. CMHC's MLI Select multi-unit insurance program requires a minimum of 5 residential rental units in the same building on the same lot. A 4-plex does not qualify, regardless of d...
Do I need a licence to manage rental property in Alberta?
It depends who owns the property. If you manage your own personally-owned rental property, you do not need a licence in Alberta. If you manage property for someone else in exchange...
Are Calgary rents going down in 2026?
Yes, modestly. Calgary purpose-built rental vacancy climbed from 1.4 percent in 2023 to approximately 5.0 percent in October 2025 per CMHC, and advertised rents fell 2 to 8 percent...
How do I fight a rent increase in Alberta?
Alberta has no rent control, so a tenant cannot fight the amount of a lawful rent increase. Tenants can challenge a rent increase only on procedural grounds: (1) less than 365 days...
What is the RTDRS filing fee in 2026?
As of April 1, 2026, the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) charges a tiered filing fee: $75 for claims of $7,500 or less and $150 for claims greater than $7,50...
Can a non-Canadian buy Calgary rental property in 2026?
Generally no. The federal Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act prohibits most non-Canadians from purchasing residential property in Canada throu...