Introduction

This Code of Practice (the Code) is designed to explain the rights and responsibilities all tenants, landlords, and agents involved in renting residential premises in Alberta have under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and Regulations. The code will explain in detail the minimum legislated requirements set out in the RTA. It provides landlords and tenants with options to deal with matters not established as minimum requirements and makes residential tenancy resource material available in a user-friendly format.

How to Use This Code of Practice

Words and terms that are commonly used in relation to tenancies and the RTA are defined in the Definitions section at the beginning of this Code of Practice. The first time these words are used in each module they will be linked to where they are referenced in the Definitions section (example: abandoned goods). The modules include Statutory References, Guidelines, Practical Applications, Forms information and Case Law footnotes.

The amendments to the RTA are the result of a comprehensive two-year consultation process that included numerous tenant, landlord and advocacy groups as well as legal experts. A special thanks is extended to the Alberta Residential Tenancy Advisory Committee for their assistance in developing the Code of Practice and amending the RTA, which is law on November 1, 2004.

A current version of this Code of Practice can be viewed or printed from the website. To ensure you have the most current copy of the Code of Practice modules, check the date in the heading on each module on the Service Alberta website.

To purchase a copy of the new legislation, please visit the Queen's Printer website (external site). 

Service Alberta is responsible for administering the RTA. The department receives complaints, conducts investigations and enforces the RTA.

For information, contact: 

Service Alberta Consumer Contact Centre
Phone: 427-4088 (In Edmonton)           
Phone: 1-877-427-4088 (Toll-free in Alberta)
Filing a Consumer Complaint page

Any questions you have about the RTA or Code of Practice can be e-mailed to rta@gov.ab.ca

Service Alberta staff will review and revise the Code of Practice as necessary.

As a reference manual on residential tenancy matters, the Code does not set out everything in the RTA, nor does it state the law. Landlords and tenants should refer to the RTA to determine their legislative rights and obligations. In every instance, the law as set out in the RTA governs.