If you're renting in Alberta and have concerns about your landlord or the safety and maintenance of your home, you might wonder: can you be evicted for reporting issues to the city or the local landlord and tenant authority? Many tenants worry about retaliation after raising important concerns. This article explains your rights, how to report safely, and what Alberta law says about eviction for making a complaint.

Who Oversees Residential Tenancies in Alberta?

In Alberta, residential tenancy matters are handled by the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS), part of the Service Alberta government body. For official information, applications, or to submit tenant complaints, visit the RTDRS official website.

Your Legal Rights: Retaliation and Eviction

Alberta’s rental laws protect tenants from retaliation. This means your landlord cannot legally evict you simply for contacting the city about property standards, health violations, or the RTDRS about disputes. The relevant law is the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)¹.

• Your landlord cannot end your tenancy or increase rent as punishment for reporting problems.
• Tenants have a right to a safe, healthy home and to exercise their legal rights without fear of eviction.
• Eviction must follow legal procedures and approved reasons under the RTA—complaining about conditions is not a valid cause.

Contacting City Inspectors or Filing a Complaint—What Happens?

If you have issues like unsafe living conditions, pest infestations, or lack of repairs, you are encouraged to report them. You can contact your local municipal office for building code or health violations, or apply to the RTDRS if your landlord is not meeting their obligations.

For more on common rental issues and handling them appropriately, read Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them and Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

Examples of Protected Tenant Actions

• Requesting repairs for mold, leaks, or heating issues
• Reporting unresolved pest problems to the city
• Publicly or privately filing a complaint with the RTDRS
• Contacting provincial or municipal authorities about code violations

Alberta law prohibits eviction solely for these actions.

Filing a Complaint or Dispute—Key Forms

If your landlord tries to evict you after you report issues, or you're experiencing health and safety problems they refuse to fix, you can:

• Contact your city bylaw office: Most Alberta cities have online forms or hotlines for complaints about property standards, pests, and repairs. Check your city’s official website.
• Apply to the RTDRS: Use the "Application for Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (Form 1)". This form lets tenants request a hearing for problems like wrongful eviction or non-repair.

Find and submit RTDRS forms at the official RTDRS Forms and Applications page:

• Form name: Application for Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution (Form 1)
• When/how to use: Submit this when you need the RTDRS to resolve a dispute with your landlord, including cases of possible retaliation after reporting issues. For example, if you receive an eviction notice soon after filing a complaint, complete this form and provide supporting evidence. The RTDRS will review your situation in a hearing setting.
• View the official Form 1 (PDF)

What Landlords Can and Cannot Do

Under Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act, landlords can only evict you for specific reasons such as non-payment of rent, substantial damage, or illegal activity. They cannot evict you for making a legitimate complaint or involving authorities.

• To legally evict you, a landlord must provide proper written notice and follow the RTDRS or court process.
• If you suspect the eviction is in retaliation, you may challenge it by filing a complaint with the RTDRS.

Visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Alberta for a full breakdown of reasons and procedures related to eviction.

Action Steps for Tenants

• Document all communications with your landlord about repairs, complaints, or inspections.
• If you receive an eviction notice after reporting an issue, do not leave immediately. Review your rights and contact the RTDRS.
• File a dispute using RTDRS Form 1 if you believe the eviction is retaliatory.
• Keep copies of all reports, emails, and forms you submit.

Understanding your rights and documenting your actions protects you from unlawful eviction.

For more resources, Explore Houseme for nationwide rental listings and useful tenant guides for your renting journey.

1. If my landlord tries to evict me after I complain, what should I do?
   Do not leave your rental immediately. Gather documentation, review your rights, and file a dispute with the RTDRS using the official application form. Seek help from tenant advocacy groups if needed.
2. What types of tenant complaints are protected by Alberta law?
   Reporting maintenance issues, unsafe conditions, or bylaw violations—even anonymously—are protected actions. Landlords cannot retaliate with eviction for these complaints.
3. Can a landlord increase my rent as a form of punishment?
   No. Alberta law prohibits rent increases as retaliation for tenant complaints. Any legal rent increase must comply with notice periods and cannot be used as punishment.
4. Who do I contact about unsafe or unsanitary conditions in my rental?
   Contact your local city bylaw or health inspector for urgent problems and use the RTDRS to resolve landlord disputes.
5. Is contacting the RTDRS confidential?
   Your complaint process with the RTDRS is confidential and landlords cannot evict you simply for submitting one.

Summary of Key Points

• Tenants in Alberta cannot legally be evicted for reporting issues to the RTDRS or city inspectors.
• Use official forms and document all interactions for your protection.
• The Residential Tenancies Act ensures your right to safe reporting—help is available if you need it.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS): RTDRS official website (for applications, forms, and information)
• Service Alberta (for tenancy info and guidance): Landlords & Tenants Information
• Your local municipal government: Find property standards or bylaw enforcement offices on your city’s official website.
• Tenant advocacy organizations: Alberta Residential Landlord Association and local legal aid offices can offer extra support.

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1. Alberta Residential Tenancies Act: Residential Tenancies Act (full text, Government of Alberta)
2. Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service: RTDRS official page
3. RTDRS Forms and Applications: Government of Alberta Forms Portal

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