Many Albertans live in employer-provided housing—like farm workers, caretakers, or employees in remote locations. If your housing is linked to your job, you may wonder: can your employer evict you, and what rights do you have as a tenant in Alberta? Understanding your legal protections is essential if you face a workplace-related tenancy issue.

Understanding Employer-Provided (Service) Tenancies in Alberta

Employer-provided housing, often called "service tenancies," refers to situations where your right to live in a property is directly connected to your employment. This includes staff accommodations, caretaker suites, and farmworker housing. Your rights and your employer's responsibilities are regulated under specific Alberta tenancy laws.

• In most cases, if you pay rent (even if it's deducted from your pay), you are covered by Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act.
• Some exceptions apply—such as living in accommodations connected to your care duties and where you share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner or their family.

Key takeaway: Most employer-employee rental situations fall under standard tenant protections, but special rules may apply depending on your exact circumstances.

Your Tenancy Rights When Housing Is Connected to Your Job

As a tenant in Alberta, you have the right to a safe living space—even if your boss is your landlord. Your employer cannot simply evict you without following proper legal procedures. For a detailed explanation of tenant and landlord obligations, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Eviction Rules for Employer-Provided Housing

If your employment ends, your right to live in staff accommodation may also end. However, you must still be given official notice and the correct amount of time to move out, as required by Alberta law:

• For month-to-month tenancies: Employers must give at least one full month's written notice.
• If you are being evicted for "cause" (e.g., serious misconduct), a 24-hour notice may apply, but only in specific, serious cases.
• Fixed-term leases: Your eviction notice must follow the end dates and rules in your rental agreement or lease.

Notices & Forms: What Employers Must Provide

If your employer wants you to leave, they must serve an official written notice. In Alberta, the required forms are:

• Notice to Terminate a Periodic Tenancy (Form RTB-22): Used to give proper written notice to end month-to-month or week-to-week tenancies.
  When used: Your employer must give at least one full tenancy period (usually one month's notice). This allows you time to find other accommodation.
  Find the form: Official Alberta Tenancy Notices.
• 24-Hour Eviction Notice: Used for situations involving significant danger or damage.
  When used: If serious misconduct (violence, major property damage) is alleged, employers can issue a very short notice.
  Action step: Tenants can dispute a 24-hour notice by applying to the tribunal (see process below).

If you receive a notice, review your rights and consider seeking help if you disagree with the reason or timing.

Disagreeing With or Challenging an Eviction

If you believe your employer is evicting you unfairly, or if proper notice wasn't given, you can dispute the eviction:

• Contact the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS). This is Alberta's tribunal for landlord-tenant disputes.
• You can apply for a hearing to challenge the eviction or to get more time to move out.

What the Law Says: Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act

The main law governing most Alberta rental situations is the Residential Tenancies Act. It sets out the rules for notice, evictions, landlord obligations, and tenant protections.^[1]

Key Protections for Tenants in Staff or Employer Housing

• Your landlord (even if also your employer) must maintain a safe and healthy living environment. Learn more in Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.
• Deposits (security, damage) must follow legal rules. See Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know for details.
• Your boss cannot lock you out or remove your belongings without a tribunal order—even if you quit, are laid off, or fired.

In summary, even in employer housing, tenants have defined rights and fair notice is required before any eviction.

If you are looking for a new place to live after leaving employer housing, Explore Houseme for nationwide rental listings.

For a full summary of Alberta regulations and rental law basics, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Alberta.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my employer evict me immediately if I lose my job?
   Usually, no. You are still entitled to official written notice per Alberta law. Immediate eviction (24-hour notice) is rare and only applies for very serious reasons, like danger or property damage.
2. Do I have to move out the same day my employment ends?
   Not unless your employment contract and tenancy agreement clearly say so and you receive the proper legal notice. Most tenants get at least one month's notice.
3. What should I do if my employer changes the locks or removes my belongings?
   Contact the RTDRS or Alberta police non-emergency line—self-help evictions are illegal, even for employer landlords.
4. Where can I get help disputing an eviction?
   You can apply to the RTDRS for a dispute hearing or contact a tenant support service for guidance.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS): File eviction challenges, get hearing information, and find resources.
• Service Alberta Consumer Contact Centre: 1-877-427-4088 (toll-free) – general tenancy support.
• Edmonton Community Legal Centre: May provide free legal advice for housing matters.
• Calgary Legal Guidance: Support and resources for Calgary-area tenants.
• For complete rental laws and official forms, see the Alberta Residential Tenancies Act.

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1. Residential Tenancies Act (Alberta), Government of Alberta.
2. Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) - Government of Alberta.
3. Notice to Terminate a Periodic Tenancy (Form RTB-22), Service Alberta.

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