Living in shared housing can be affordable and supportive, but when domestic violence occurs it creates urgent safety, legal and tenancy concerns for tenants and roommates in Alberta. This guide explains practical steps renters can take to protect themselves and their household, how to document incidents, when to contact police or victim services, and how tenancy rules and Alberta’s dispute avenues apply in shared units. It also covers options for changing locks, ending a rental agreement, and asking the landlord for emergency repairs or security measures. If you share a lease, you should know how responsibilities and rights may differ from private tenancies, and how to use official forms and the province’s dispute service if you need help.
Safety first: immediate steps
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If not immediate, reach out to local police, a victim services line, or a trusted support person and consider temporary shelter while you plan next steps.
- Call 911 if you or someone else is at immediate risk.
- Contact the Alberta Family Violence Info Line or local victim services for confidential support and shelter options.
- Tell a trusted friend or household member where you are and what happened, and arrange a safe place to stay if needed.
- Seek medical attention and keep records of injuries, hospital notes and photos.
- Save texts, emails, photos and a dated timeline of incidents to support any future dispute or protection order.
Documenting incidents and evidence
Good documentation helps police, victim services and any tribunal consider your case. Keep a secure folder of dated photos, screenshots of messages, medical records, police reports and witness names. If you can, back up copies off-site or in a private cloud account so they remain accessible if you must leave suddenly.
Tenancy rights and ending a tenancy
Tenants in shared housing may be on a single lease with roommates or on separate agreements; responsibilities and options differ. Review your lease and learn about your provincial rules on repairs, locks and ending a tenancy. For an overview of tenant and landlord rights in Alberta, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Alberta and read common dispute steps in Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them. The provincial dispute service can hear urgent tenancy matters and offer orders where appropriate[1] and provincial tenancy rules are summarized on Alberta government pages[2].
Applying to the RTDRS and official forms
If you cannot resolve the issue with your landlord or roommates, the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) is the province’s forum for many tenancy disputes and can issue binding orders[1]. The Alberta government publishes official forms and guidance for dispute applications and notices[3]. Below are common documents and how tenants typically use them.
- Application for Dispute Resolution — used to ask the RTDRS to decide issues like safety, eviction or deposit disputes; for example, a tenant who cannot get locks changed after a violent incident might file this to request an order for security measures.
- Notice to End Tenancy — used where a tenant or landlord gives formal notice under the Act; check the official guidance before filing and include clear reasons and dates.
- Police reports and protection orders — while not tenancy forms, these documents can support emergency requests to landlords or the RTDRS for safety measures or expedited hearings.
Finding safe housing and practical options
If you decide to move for safety, consider emergency shelters, short-term stays with friends or finding alternative rentals quickly. Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme to search listings and compare options if you need to relocate. When negotiating a move, keep written records, agree next steps in writing, and ask about returning your deposit or transfer options with your landlord.
FAQ
- Can I change the locks if I’m scared in a shared house?
- Changing locks without permission can risk lease breach; contact police if you are in danger and ask the landlord to change locks or arrange secure access. If the landlord refuses, you can document the request and apply to the RTDRS for an order[1].
- Will a protection order affect my lease or eviction risk?
- A protection order is a legal tool for safety and does not automatically end a tenancy. However, it may be used as evidence when asking a landlord or the RTDRS for urgent remedies; discuss options with victim services and review tenancy rules for ending agreements[2].
- What if my roommate is the perpetrator and also on the lease?
- Where both of you are on the same lease, ending one person’s right to occupy can be complex. Collect evidence, speak to police or victim services, and consider filing an RTDRS application to ask for exclusive possession or other remedies while you pursue safety options[1].
How-To
- Call 911 or local emergency services if you are in immediate danger.
- Document incidents: record dates, take photos, save messages and get medical or police reports when possible.
- Find a safe place to stay temporarily, using shelters, friends or short-term rentals as needed.
- Contact the RTDRS or file the appropriate provincial forms to request emergency tenancy remedies or orders.
- Reach out to victim services for ongoing support, safety planning and referrals to legal aid if required.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS)
- Residential tenancies — Alberta Government
- Family violence supports — Alberta Government
