As a renter in Alberta, dealing with rodents can be stressful and urgent. This guide explains tenant rights, landlord responsibilities and practical steps you can take if you find mice, rats or other rodents in your home. It covers how to give clear written notice, what repair timelines are reasonable, when to involve public health or the province's dispute resolution service, and how to document infestations and costs. You will also find examples of official forms and how to use them, plus links to Alberta's legislation and tribunal resources. The focus is on plain language and practical actions that help tenants get prompt remediation and maintain a safe, habitable rental.
What landlords must do in Alberta
Under Alberta law landlords must provide and maintain a rental premises in a state of repair that meets basic health and safety standards. That generally includes preventing and addressing rodent infestations, fixing structural entry points, and arranging pest control when the problem is not caused by the tenant. Tenants should give clear written notice describing the infestation and allow reasonable access for inspection or treatment. If a landlord does not act within a reasonable time, tenants may apply to the province's dispute resolution service or pursue other remedies.[1] [2]
Common landlord obligations
- Investigate and arrange professional extermination when the infestation is beyond normal cleaning.
- Repair structural issues (holes, gaps, shared walls) that allow rodents to enter the unit.
- Maintain common areas and building exteriors to reduce nesting and food sources.
- Respond to written notices within a reasonable time and communicate expected timelines for repairs or treatment.
- Provide proper notice before entry and schedule pest-control visits at mutually reasonable times.
How to report a rodent problem
Follow clear steps so your notice is effective: document the infestation with dated photos and a short log of sightings, give written notice to your landlord describing where and when you saw rodents, and keep copies of receipts for any temporary costs you incur. If you need more guidance on pest-specific tenant steps, see Dealing with Pests in Your Rental: Tenant Rights and Effective Solutions. If your issue involves broader rights or habitability questions, review Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Alberta.
Official forms and when to use them
Key official resources for Alberta tenants include legislation and the province's dispute resolution service. Examples below explain when and how to use each.
- Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) [1]: The law that sets out landlord and tenant responsibilities. Use it to check legal obligations and timelines before filing a complaint.
- Application to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) [2]: Use this application when a landlord fails to address a rodent infestation and you need a formal decision. Example: you sent written notice, waited the reasonable time you stated, and the landlord did not arrange pest control; file an RTDRS application with photos, your notice, and receipts for any emergency treatment you paid for.
How-To
- Document the infestation with dated photos, videos and a short log of sightings.
- Give written notice to your landlord describing the problem, where it is, and the remedy you request; keep a copy.
- Allow reasonable access for inspection and pest-control work, and get written confirmation of scheduled treatments.
- If the landlord doesn't act, apply to the RTDRS with your evidence and copies of notices and receipts.
- For urgent health risks, contact Alberta Health Services or your local public health office for advice and support.
FAQ
- Who is responsible for rodent infestations in Alberta?
- Generally the landlord is responsible to maintain the rental unit and building so it is free of pests; tenants must report problems promptly and take reasonable steps to avoid attracting pests.
- How should I notify my landlord about rodents?
- Provide clear written notice describing the infestation, include dated photos if possible, keep a copy, and request a timeline for inspection and treatment.
- When should I apply to the RTDRS?
- Apply when you have given written notice, the landlord has not acted within a reasonable time, and you have documented evidence to support your request for remediation or compensation.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) — Queen's Printer
- Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) — Government of Alberta
- Residential tenancies: rights and responsibilities — Government of Alberta
