Alberta (AB) law guide
Quick answer
Alberta does not have rent control; landlords may increase rent by any amount with proper notice, subject to the lease type. Security deposits are capped at one month's rent and must be held in an interest-bearing trust account within 2 banking days. For nonpayment, landlords serve a 14-day notice giving the tenant the right to pay arrears and avoid eviction; unresolved disputes go to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS).
Security deposit rules
Maximum one month's rent. Must be held in an interest-bearing trust account within 2 banking days. Full accounting within 10 days (estimate) and 30 days (final) of tenancy end.
Rent control
None. No cap on rent increases. Increases limited to once per 365 days. Monthly tenancy: 3 months written notice required.
Tribunal/board
Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) or Alberta Court of Justice, alberta.ca/rtdrs
Nonpayment notice
14 Day Notice to Terminate. Notice must state tenancy will not end if all rent owing is paid before the termination date.
Alberta rental market snapshot
Population
4.7 million
Renter households
~29% of households
Median rent
$1,850/mo (2BR, Calgary, 2026)
Largest rental markets
Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray
Alberta's rental market is the most affordable of Canada's major provinces, with Calgary 2BR rents averaging $1,750 to $1,950 in early 2026 and down roughly 2.7% year-over-year. No rent control and no restriction on new-unit rent resets make Alberta highly attractive to rental property investors.
Alberta landlords may collect a security deposit of up to one month's rent. The deposit must be placed in a separate, interest-bearing trust account within 2 banking days of receipt. The interest accrues to the tenant and is paid on return of the deposit.
When the tenancy ends, the landlord has 10 days to return the full deposit or provide a written estimate of deductions. A final statement and any remaining balance are due within 30 days. If deductions are disputed, either party may apply to the RTDRS or Alberta Court of Justice.
Alberta has no rent control legislation and no provincially set guideline. Landlords may raise rent by any amount, but only once per 365 days. For monthly tenancies, landlords must give 3 months written notice before the increase takes effect. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot change until the lease expires.
There is no requirement to justify the size of a rent increase in Alberta. However, an increase that is retaliatory in nature (e.g., imposed after a tenant makes a repair complaint) may be challenged. Tenants should always obtain a written notice of any increase to document compliance with the notice period.
For nonpayment of rent, the landlord serves a 14-day notice to terminate. Critically, the notice must state that the tenancy will not end if all rent owing is paid before the termination date, giving tenants one final opportunity to cure. If the tenant does not pay or vacate, the landlord applies to the RTDRS (Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service) or the Alberta Court of Justice for an Order of Possession.
For serious breaches such as significant damage or threats of physical violence, a 24-hour notice is permitted. The RTDRS offers hearings by telephone, video, or in writing and is generally faster and less expensive than court. Orders from the RTDRS are enforceable like court orders.
Landlords must give at least 24 hours written notice before entering a rental unit for inspections, repairs, showings, or other routine purposes. Entry is permitted between reasonable hours. Emergency entry is allowed without notice where there is an immediate risk to life or property.
Landlords must maintain the rental unit in a habitable condition that complies with applicable health and safety standards. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs, a tenant may apply to the RTDRS for an order requiring repairs. Tenants must also maintain the unit in a clean condition and avoid causing damage.
The Alberta Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in rental housing on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, family status, source of income, and sexual orientation. Landlords may not refuse a rental application or impose different terms based on any of these grounds.
Tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment and may not be harassed or interfered with by their landlord. Alberta tenants may sublet with the landlord's consent. A landlord who performs an illegal eviction or improperly withholds a security deposit may be ordered by the RTDRS to pay the tenant compensation.
Alberta does not require landlords to use a single provincial standard lease form, though the government provides a recommended template. All tenancy agreements must comply with the Residential Tenancies Act, and any clause that contradicts the Act is void. Either party can request a written tenancy agreement at any time.
Fixed-term leases in Alberta do not automatically convert to month-to-month; the parties must agree on renewal terms or the tenancy ends at the expiry date. Landlords who include illegal clauses (such as waiving the security deposit trust requirement) remain bound by the Act regardless of what the lease says.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Residential Tenancies Act, RSA 2000, c. R-17.1. Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-06.
Alberta FAQ
No. Alberta has no rent control and no provincially set guideline cap. Landlords may increase rent by any amount, but only once per 365-day period and with at least 3 months written notice for monthly tenancies. There is no requirement to justify the size of the increase.
The maximum security deposit in Alberta is one month's rent. The landlord must place it in a separate interest-bearing trust account within 2 banking days, and the interest belongs to the tenant. A written accounting is due within 10 days (estimate) and 30 days (final) after the tenancy ends.
The landlord serves a 14-day notice to terminate, which must state the tenancy will not end if the tenant pays all arrears before the termination date. If the tenant does not pay or vacate, the landlord applies to the RTDRS or Alberta Court of Justice for an Order of Possession.
No. Regardless of the amount, landlords may only raise rent once per 365-day period. For month-to-month tenancies, 3 months written notice is required. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot increase until the lease term ends.
The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) is the primary agency. It offers hearings by telephone, video, or in writing, making it faster and less expensive than court. For larger claims or complex cases, parties may instead apply to the Alberta Court of Justice.
Revun builds Alberta notice periods, deposit timelines, and compliant workflows into leasing, payments, and communications, so the rules above are handled inside the platform instead of tracked by hand.
Leasing, payments, maintenance, communications, and accounting, with compliance built in.
