10 Essential Maintenance & Repair Facts for Alberta Renters

For tenants in Alberta, understanding your rights and responsibilities when it comes to maintenance and repairs is crucial to a safe and comfortable living environment. Regular upkeep, handling repairs quickly, and knowing when your landlord must act can make a huge difference in your rental experience. This guide highlights the top ten things every renter in Alberta should know about maintenance and repairs, making use of provincial laws, official resources, and practical tips you can use right away.

Landlord’s Responsibility for Repairs

Alberta law requires landlords to maintain the rental property in a good state of repair and ensure it is suitable for occupancy at all times. This includes structural repairs (like walls, roofs, and windows), as well as systems such as heating, plumbing, and electricity.

• Landlords must comply with health, safety, and housing standards at the municipal and provincial level.
• They must ensure doors and windows lock properly for security.
• Vital services (heat, water, power) must not be interrupted except for necessary repairs or emergencies.

Tenant’s Responsibilities

As a tenant, you are expected to keep your unit reasonably clean, avoid damaging the property, and repair or cover costs for any damage caused by you or your guests, beyond normal wear and tear.

If you’re moving into a new place, see the Guide to the Initial Rental Property Inspection for Tenants for a checklist and helpful advice.

How to Report a Repair Issue

Report maintenance problems to your landlord as soon as you notice them. Written notices (like email or text) are best, as they create a record. Be specific about the issue, location, and impact on your living space.

When is a Repair an Emergency?

• Loss of heat in winter
• Plumbing or electricity failures
• Serious water leaks or floods

In emergencies, contact your landlord immediately. For a detailed overview, refer to Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities.

Timelines for Repairs

Alberta’s laws do not set a specific timeframe for “non-emergency” repairs. However, landlords must act within a reasonable period, depending on the severity of the issue. For emergencies, immediate action is expected.

What If Repairs Are Not Done?

If your landlord does not respond to repair requests, you have several options:

• Send a follow-up written notice.
• Contact Alberta Health Services if the issue poses a health risk.
• Apply to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) for an order requiring the landlord to complete repairs.

Withholding Rent and Deducting for Repairs

It is not legal to withhold rent or pay for repairs and subtract the cost from your rent unless you have a written agreement with the landlord or a tribunal order. Doing so may risk eviction.

Health, Safety, and Pests

Landlords must manage health and safety issues, such as mold, infestations, and unsafe living conditions. Tenants should promptly notify the landlord about such problems. Learn more about Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

Routine Maintenance vs. Major Repairs

Minor issues like changing light bulbs, smoke detector batteries, or daily cleaning are generally the tenant’s duty. Structural or systems repairs are usually the landlord’s responsibility. For details, check Routine Repairs in Rental Units: Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities.

Move-In and Move-Out Inspections

Alberta law requires both landlord and tenant to complete detailed inspection reports at move-in and move-out. These help determine if deductions from the security deposit are justified.

• Condition Inspection Report (Form): Must be completed within one week of moving in and within one week of moving out. Download the official inspection report form. Use this to document damage or existing issues when you enter or leave a property.

Relevant Forms for Repairs and Maintenance

• Notice of Application (RTDRS Form): Use to ask the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service to order repairs or address disputes. Find the current form and filing instructions at the Alberta RTDRS forms page.
  Example: If your heat is not working and the landlord is not responding, file a Notice of Application with the RTDRS for urgent resolution.

Governing Law and Tribunal

Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act governs all maintenance and repair issues for renters in the province. Disputes are resolved through the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) or provincial courts.

Find Alberta-Specific Rights & Info

Want more on your rights? Visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Alberta for a full overview of provincial laws, deposits, rent rules, and eviction processes.

Searching for an apartment or a new home? Browse apartments for rent in Canada quickly and easily using Houseme’s map-based rental search and helpful filters.

1. What repairs are landlords responsible for in Alberta?
   Landlords must handle repairs that affect health, safety, or the structural and mechanical integrity of the property. This includes heat, plumbing, major appliances, exterior walls, and security concerns.
2. Can I pay for repairs and deduct from rent?
   No. In Alberta, tenants may not deduct repair costs from rent except with written landlord permission or a tribunal order.
3. What should I do if my landlord ignores repair requests?
   Send reminders, collect documentation, and if needed, apply to the RTDRS for a repair order.
4. Are inspection reports required in Alberta?
   Yes, both landlords and tenants must complete and sign move-in and move-out inspection reports under Alberta law.
5. Who fixes damages caused by tenants?
   Tenants are responsible for damages beyond normal wear and tear caused by themselves or their guests.

1. How do I file for repairs with the tribunal?
   Obtain the Notice of Application form from the RTDRS, complete with details about the repair issue, attach supporting documents and evidence, pay any fees owed, and submit in person, by mail, or online to the RTDRS. Attend the hearing if scheduled and provide your evidence.
2. How do I document repair issues?
   Take clear, dated photos and write a detailed description of the issue. Use a written timeline when communicating with your landlord.
3. How do I conduct a move-in inspection?
   Use Alberta’s official inspection report, check every room and item with your landlord, mark all issues, and have both parties sign the report. Keep copies for your records.

• Timely reporting, thorough documentation, and understanding your responsibilities avoid many disputes.
• The landlord must keep your home habitable and handle essential repairs, especially those with health or safety risks.
• Understand your rights and the steps to escalate, from communication to seeking help from the RTDRS if necessary.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Alberta Government: Residential Tenancies Resources
• Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS)
• Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA) – Tenant Help
• Local legal clinics such as Edmonton Community Legal Centre and Calgary Legal Guidance

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1. [1] See Residential Tenancies Act of Alberta (current 2024).
2. [2] Official inspection report forms and resource: Alberta Government Security Deposits and Rental Agreements Guide.
3. [3] RTDRS application and dispute forms: Alberta Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service Forms.

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