Good lighting is essential for safety, comfort, and peace of mind in Alberta’s rental properties. Whether you live in an apartment, townhouse, or any rental with shared areas, knowing your rights and your landlord's obligations around lighting can help prevent problems and ensure a secure environment. This article outlines Alberta’s legal lighting requirements for common hallways, entrances, and parking lots, with practical next steps if those standards aren’t being met.

Who Sets Lighting Requirements for Alberta Rentals?

Lighting in shared spaces like hallways, stairwells, entryways, and parking areas is regulated under Alberta’s housing and tenancy laws. Landlords must provide and maintain proper lighting to ensure these spaces are safe and accessible at all times. Common area lighting is considered a basic health and safety necessity.

Relevant Legislation and Enforcement

• Residential Tenancies Act (RTA): Sets general landlord and tenant duties¹
• Minimum Housing and Health Standards (Public Health Act): Outlines specific lighting requirements²

The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) is Alberta’s official tribunal for tenant-landlord disputes.

Minimum Lighting Standards in Common Areas

According to Alberta’s Minimum Housing and Health Standards, landlords must:

• Provide enough natural or artificial light in all common areas (including entries, corridors, laundry rooms, parking garages, and stairs)
• Ensure every exit and public hallway has lighting controlled by a switch, photoelectric cell, or timer
• Keep all light fixtures in good working order and replace bulbs when needed

This helps prevent accidents, discourages crime, and enables safe use of the premises by all tenants and visitors.

Parking Lots and Outdoor Spaces

For apartment buildings or complexes with parking lots, landlords must ensure these areas are sufficiently lit from dusk until dawn. This includes installing and maintaining exterior lighting fixtures so that walkways and parking surfaces are visible at night. Poorly lit parking lots can increase the risk of accidents or unauthorized activity.

Who Is Responsible for Lighting Repairs?

Landlords are legally required to repair and maintain lighting fixtures in all shared spaces. If a bulb burns out or a fixture becomes unsafe, prompt replacement or repair is expected. However, tenants typically must report any issues to the landlord or property manager.

Learn more about landlord and tenant duties in Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

What If My Common Areas Are Not Properly Lit?

If your landlord does not respond to lighting issues, you have the right to take further action to protect your safety and those of others:

• Step 1: Report the problem to your landlord or property manager in writing
• Step 2: If not fixed, contact your local Environmental Public Health office (under Alberta Health Services), who can inspect and order repairs if a health or safety violation is found
• Step 3: For unresolved disputes, you can apply to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) for an order requiring repairs or compensation

For urgent situations that could threaten health or immediate safety, such as a total blackout of entryways or corridors, see Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities.

Official Complaint Forms

• Environmental Public Health Complaint Form (Alberta Health Services): Use this form to report violations of Minimum Housing and Health Standards, such as failing lights in common areas.
  Link: AHS Environmental Public Health Complaint Form
  Example: A tenant notices parking lot lights haven’t worked for two weeks and landlord isn’t responding, so they file this form.
• RTDRS Application Form: Use this if you seek a repair order or compensation for problems unresolved by your landlord.
  Link: RTDRS Application Form
  Example: The hallway has been dark for a month despite several requests, so the tenant applies for a resolution order.

More Tenant Tips for Alberta

• Always keep copies of requests and complaints
• Photos or dated videos of poorly lit areas can support your case
• If lighting issues threaten your health or safety, emphasize this when reporting

Lighting is one of several Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

For a broader overview of your province's rules, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Alberta.

Want a new home with safe, well-lit amenities? Browse apartments for rent in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do landlords have to provide lighting in Alberta apartment hallways?
   Yes, landlords in Alberta are legally required to ensure that all interior and exterior common areas—including hallways—are adequately lit for safety.
2. Who pays for the repair or replacement of common area lighting?
   Landlords are responsible for repairing or replacing lighting in shared spaces. Tenants should report any issues as soon as they are noticed.
3. What should I do if outdoor parking lot lights are out?
   First, notify your landlord. If the issue is not fixed within a reasonable time, consider reporting it to Alberta Health Services or applying to the RTDRS.
4. Can poor lighting be considered a violation of my tenancy rights?
   Yes, insufficient lighting is a health and safety concern. Tenants have the right to expect safe conditions and can take formal action if these are not met.
5. Where can I get help if lighting issues are not being addressed?
   Contact Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health or the RTDRS for support and enforcement options.

Key Takeaways

• Alberta landlords must provide and maintain proper lighting in all common areas and parking lots
• Tenants should report lighting problems in writing and keep records
• If issues are not fixed promptly, escalate to Alberta Health Services or the RTDRS

Proper lighting is not just a comfort issue—it's a legal right and a key part of rental safety.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS): For resolving landlord-tenant disputes
• Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health: Report health and safety issues, including lighting
• Government of Alberta: Landlords and Tenants

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1. Residential Tenancies Act (Alberta)
2. Minimum Housing and Health Standards under the Public Health Act

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