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Winner of the 2007 Alberta Consumer Champion Award of Distinction
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Funding from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation gratefully acknowledged.
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Home > Becoming a Landlord > Just the Facts > Landlord Obligations > Rules Implied by Law
Landlord Obligations – Rules Implied by Law
The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) imposes the basic rules that a landlord must follow. These rules set a minimum standard of conduct. It is possible for you to agree to do more than is required by the rules, but you cannot do less. The rules under the RTA apply even if they are not mentioned in the agreement between you and your tenant.
The rules that a landlord is specifically required to follow under the Residential Tenancies Act are as follows:
- Provide a place that is empty and ready for the tenant to move into on the first day of the tenancy.
- Allow the tenant to enjoy peaceful possession of the property.
- Make sure the premises are meeting the minimum standards for housing required under the Alberta Public Health Act.
- Give the tenant a signed copy of the tenancy agreement (if it is in writing), within 21 days of it being signed. The tenant can hold back payment of rent until you provide a copy of the agreement.
- Provide written details of the name and address of the landlord in a Notice of Landlord to the tenant. This information must be given within seven days of a tenant taking possession of the rented premises. If the premises are within a large complex or building with common areas, it is sufficient for the notice to be posted in a conspicuous place.
- New information must be given if the landlord changes, together with a current statement of the security deposit and interest.
- Put any money from a security deposit in a trust account within two banking days of receiving it.
- Carry out inspections at both the beginning and end of the tenancy and give copies of the inspection reports to the tenant.
- Tell the tenant if any locks on access doors are changed and provide new keys.
- Give the required length of notice under the Residential Tenancies Act for any rent increase or to end the tenancy.
- Give the tenant notice to end the tenancy for the reasons permitted by the Residential Tenancies Act.
- Keep records as required by the Residential Tenancies Act relating to security deposits, inspection reports, and abandoned goods.
In particular situations, for example the rental of a condominium unit, the landlord may have to comply with some extra rules.
January 2006
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