Are move-in inspections required in Alberta?

What a proper inspection report includes

• Date of inspection and names of both parties.
• Room-by-room walk-through with condition notes.
• Date-stamped photos for every room and notable item (carpets, walls, appliances).
• Specific descriptions, "small dent in fridge door, left side, 3 cm" beats "minor damage".
• Reading of any utility meters if the tenant is responsible.
• Both signatures or a written record of refusal.

What happens if the landlord skips the move-in inspection

Section 19 is strict: without a signed move-in report (or proof the landlord made a reasonable attempt and the tenant refused), the landlord forfeits the right to deduct anything from the security deposit. RTDRS rulings consistently enforce this even when there is clear damage at move-out, because there is no documented baseline to compare against.

Mid-tenancy inspections

There is no RTA-required mid-tenancy inspection, but with 24 hours' written notice a landlord can conduct one. Many Calgary property managers do quarterly drive-bys and an annual interior inspection. Done with respect and notice, this prevents small issues from becoming expensive ones and is welcomed by good tenants.