Residential Tenancies in Alberta

Alberta’s residential landlord-tenant legislation is widely considered to be deficient in process generally and in the substantive rights and obligations relevant to residential tenants who are exceptionally vulnerable to the power exercised by landlords. The Residential Tenancies Act (Alberta) and its regulations, including the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service Regulation are overdue for law reform.

The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) is a quasi-judicial tribunal that hears landlord-tenant disputes under the Residential Tenancies Act (Alberta). In 2016, the Clinic organized a roundtable discussion with representatives from community organizations to discuss concerns with the RTDRS, and this discussion resulted in the Clinic proposing amendments to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service Regulation.

The Alberta Law Reform Institute is now in the preliminary stages of exploring a law reform project on the Residential Tenancies Act. In 2024, JD students registered in the Clinic undertook research to confirm there is a need for legislative amendments on the use of electronic communication between landlords and tenants.

This matter is ongoing.