Who the RTA covers
The RTA covers most residential rentals in Alberta: apartments, houses, suites, condos and townhouses. Some living arrangements are not covered. The most common one is renting a room in the living quarters of a landlord who actually lives there. Mobile home sites are covered by a separate law. The RTA Handbook lists the exceptions.
The lease (residential tenancy agreement)
- A lease can be written or verbal, but get it in writing. Verbal terms are hard to prove in a dispute.
- A fixed-term tenancy has an end date. A periodic tenancy (for example month-to-month) renews automatically until someone gives proper notice.
- Your landlord must give you a signed copy of a written lease within 21 days after you sign and return it. Until they do, you may withhold rent; once the copy arrives, the withheld rent is due.
- Your landlord must give you written notice of their name and an address in Alberta for serving documents within 7 days of the tenancy starting.
- A lease term that conflicts with the RTA (for example requiring more than one month's notice from a monthly tenant) doesn't apply.
Security deposit
A deposit can't be more than one month's rent and can't be raised during the tenancy. The landlord must put it in a trust account in Alberta within 2 banking days. They must return it, or give you a written statement of account, within 10 days after you move out and hand over possession. See security deposits.
Inspections
The landlord and tenant must do a written inspection at move-in and at move-out, and both should sign the report. If the landlord doesn't do both inspections, they can't deduct the cost of damage from your deposit. See inspections.
When the landlord can come in
With at least 24 hours' written notice, a landlord can enter for reasons such as repairs or showing the unit. The entry must be between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and not on a Sunday or holiday unless you agree. If you've told the landlord in writing that you have a different day of religious worship, they can't enter on that day instead. No notice is needed in an emergency, if you consent at the time, or if you've abandoned the unit (During a tenancy).
Rent increases
- Rent can go up only once every 365 days, counted from the start of the tenancy or the last increase.
- In a fixed-term tenancy, if the 365th day falls during the term, rent can't go up until the term ends, even if the lease has an automatic-increase clause (RTA Handbook).
- For a monthly tenancy, the landlord must give at least 3 full tenancy months' written notice. For a weekly tenancy, 12 full tenancy weeks.
- The RTA doesn't cap how much rent can go up.
Ending a tenancy
- A fixed-term tenancy ends on its end date. No notice is needed unless the lease turns into a periodic tenancy.
- A monthly tenant ends the tenancy by giving one full tenancy month's written notice, served on or before the first day of that month.
- A landlord can end a monthly periodic tenancy only for reasons the RTA allows (for example, selling with vacant possession, or a family member moving in), usually with 3 tenancy months' written notice. For major renovations or a condo conversion, the notice is 365 days.
- For a substantial breach, such as unpaid rent, a landlord can give a 14-day notice. If the reason is unpaid rent and you pay in full before the 14 days are up, the notice is no longer effective.
- Details are on Ending a tenancy.
Repairs and minimum standards
Rentals must meet the Province's Minimum Housing and Health Standards, which cover things like heat, water, structure and pests. If a landlord won't fix a problem that affects health or safety, you can contact a public health inspector, who can order repairs or find a unit unfit to live in. Raise repairs in writing and keep copies.
Resolving disputes: the RTDRS
The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) hears many landlord-tenant disputes and is usually faster and less formal than court. From 1 April 2026 the filing fee is $75 for claims of $7,500 or less, and $150 for larger claims. Tenancy matters can also go to the Alberta Court of Justice (residential tenancies process).
General information only, not legal advice. The Residential Tenancies Act and its regulations are the final word; check the official sources above or get legal advice for your situation.
Related guides
Sources
- Information for landlords and tenants (Alberta.ca)
- RTA Handbook for Landlords and Tenants (Government of Alberta, June 2025)
- Residential Tenancies Act (Alberta King's Printer)
- Starting a tenancy (Alberta.ca)
- During a tenancy (Alberta.ca)
- Ending a tenancy (Alberta.ca)
- Minimum Housing and Health Standards (Government of Alberta)
- Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) (Alberta.ca)
- Residential tenancies process (Alberta Court of Justice)