Landlord entry rules in Alberta
What notice is required, what the notice must say, and the two situations where none is needed.
Not without notice. An Alberta landlord may enter at any time with the tenant's consent, given verbally or in writing. Without consent, the landlord must give at least 24 hours' written notice stating the reason for entry and a time of entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. No notice is required only where the landlord has reasonable grounds to believe an emergency exists, or that the tenant has abandoned the premises.
The 24-hour rule
A landlord may enter with the tenant's consent, given verbally or in writing, at any time. Without consent, the landlord must give at least 24 hours' written notice before entry.
What the written notice must state
The notice must state the reason for entry and the time of entry, which must fall between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m..
"I texted you this morning" is not 24 hours' written notice. The notice period and the content requirements are separate, a notice that arrives in time but omits the reason or falls outside the 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. window does not comply.
The exceptions
No notice is required where the landlord has reasonable grounds to believe an emergency exists, or that the tenant has abandoned the premises.
(RTA s. 23-24)
Showings while a tenant is still living there
Selling or re-renting an occupied property does not create a separate right of entry. Each showing is an entry and needs either the tenant's consent or its own 24 hours' written notice. In practice, agreeing a standing schedule with the tenant in writing works better than serving a notice per showing, and a tenant who feels ambushed is the single most reliable way to lose a sale.
Need access and not sure how to ask for it?
Send me the reason and the date you need. I will tell you whether it needs notice, what the notice must contain, and how to handle a tenant who says no.
Last updated 2026-08-19 · Written by Mohammad Emon, REALTOR® (SRES®) & Licensed Property Manager, KO Realty · RECA licence LIC-00666633