New Alberta Landlord Rules for 2026: Rent Increases, Evictions & RTDRS Changes Every Calgary Owner Must Know

What actually changed in 2026 (and what didn't)

If you have seen headlines suggesting sweeping "new landlord rules" in Alberta for 2026, it is worth setting expectations honestly. As of mid-2026, the Alberta government has not introduced a rent-increase cap, and the core rules for rent increases and evictions under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) are largely the same as in prior years. The Alberta Law Reform Institute is running a public review of the RTA, but that work is still at the consultation stage and has not changed the law.

Two updates are real and worth knowing:

• The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) moved to a new tiered filing fee structure effective April 1, 2026.
• The annual security deposit interest rate is set at 0% for 2026 (it was 0.5% in 2025).

The sections below cover both the unchanged fundamentals and these specific 2026 details, because getting the process right protects your rental income and your relationship with good tenants. If you own or are buying Calgary rentals, our Calgary investment overview puts these rules in the context of returns.

Rent increases: no cap, but strict timing and notice

Alberta is one of the provinces with no cap on how much rent can be increased. There is no provincial formula limiting the percentage. That does not mean increases are a free-for-all, though. Two rules constrain the timing:

• Frequency: Rent for the same tenancy generally cannot be raised more than once every 12 months, measured from the start of the tenancy or the last increase.
• Notice: For periodic (for example, month-to-month) tenancies, a landlord must give written notice of a rent increase at least three full tenancy months in advance.

For a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be changed mid-term. Any increase takes effect at renewal, when a new agreement is negotiated. Because there is no cap, the practical limit is the market: an increase well above prevailing Calgary rents can push a reliable tenant to move, and turnover has real costs. If you want to model an increase against local rents before you send notice, the Calgary investor cash flow snapshot can help you sanity-check the numbers.

Ending a tenancy: eviction notice periods in 2026

The eviction timelines under Alberta's RTA are unchanged heading into 2026. The notice period depends on the reason:

• Non-payment of rent: at least 14 clear days' written notice. In most cases a tenant can stop the termination by paying the overdue rent before the notice period ends.
• Substantial breach (such as significant lease violations): the landlord may give at least 14 days' notice, or apply directly to the RTDRS or court.
• Serious cases (major damage to the property, or physical assault or a threat of assault against the landlord or another tenant): as little as 24 hours' notice may apply.

"Clear days" means the day the notice is served and the day the tenancy ends are not counted. Notices must meet the RTA's content and service requirements to be valid, and improper notices are a common reason landlords lose at a hearing. Because eviction is a legal process with real consequences for both sides, confirm the current requirements or get advice before acting rather than relying on a template.

RTDRS: new filing fees effective April 1, 2026

The RTDRS is Alberta's quasi-judicial tribunal for resolving residential tenancy disputes, including rent arrears, damage, deposit disputes and evictions, without going to court. The most concrete 2026 change is its new tiered filing fee, effective April 1, 2026. Based on Alberta's published fee schedule, the structure is:

• $75 for a claim or counterclaim of $7,500 or less.
• $150 for a claim over $7,500.
• $100 for a counterclaim over $7,500 where there is an existing active application between the same parties.

Fee waivers remain available for eligible applicants. Because fee schedules can be updated, confirm the current amount on the Alberta.ca RTDRS page before you file. For most straightforward landlord claims, the RTDRS is faster and less formal than court, but decisions still hinge on documentation, so keep clean records of the lease, notices, ledgers and any inspection reports.

Security deposits and the 2026 interest rate

Alberta's deposit rules are also unchanged for 2026, with one number to update:

• Maximum deposit: a security deposit cannot exceed one month's rent. That single cap covers any pet, key or other up-front amounts combined.
• Trust account: the deposit must be placed in an interest-bearing trust account within two banking days of receipt.
• Interest rate: the prescribed annual rate is 0% for 2026, down from 0.5% in 2025. When the rate is 0%, there is no deposit interest to pay to the tenant for that period.

At move-out, deductions from a deposit generally need to be supported by evidence such as a move-in and move-out inspection report. These are the details that decide deposit disputes, so a documented inspection at both ends of a tenancy is worth the time.

What this means for Calgary owners

For most Calgary landlords, 2026 is a year of continuity rather than upheaval. There is still no rent cap, the 12-month frequency and three-month notice rules for periodic tenancies still apply, and eviction timelines are unchanged. Budget for the new RTDRS filing fees if a dispute is likely, and note that deposit interest is 0% this year.

None of this is a substitute for tailored advice on your specific situation. Rules change, and how they apply depends on your lease and facts. If you are weighing a purchase, a rent increase, or how a difficult tenancy affects your numbers, get in touch and we can walk through it together, and loop in a lawyer or property manager where a legal question is involved.

Frequently Asked Questions