Rental repairs and minimum housing standards in Alberta
The standard a rental has to meet all through the tenancy, who checks it, and what each side can do when a repair is not done.
Every tenancy agreement includes the landlord's promise that the premises meet the minimum housing standards under the Public Health Act for the whole tenancy: heat able to keep rooms at 22 °C, hot water between 46 and 60 °C, safe and weatherproof premises, working smoke alarms and no pest infestation. Public health inspectors enforce the standards.
The landlord's promise
Every residential tenancy agreement includes the landlord's promise that the premises meet at least the minimum housing standards under the Public Health Act, for the whole tenancy. (RTA s. 16(c))
The Housing Regulation requires the owner to keep rental premises structurally sound, safe, in good repair and weatherproof, with adequate heat, running hot and cold drinkable water, sanitary facilities and sleeping space, and to maintain them to the Minimum Housing and Health Standards. (Housing Regulation (AR 173/1999) ss. 3-4)
What the standards require
| Heat | Heating able to keep every habitable room, bathroom and toilet room at 22 °C (71 °F) or more. In extreme cold an executive officer may allow less than 22 °C, but not 16 °C or below. A stove or portable heater may not be the main heat source. (Minimum Housing and Health Standards s. 8) |
|---|---|
| Hot water | Hot running water between 46 °C and 60 °C (114-140 °F) at the tap. (Minimum Housing and Health Standards s. 9) |
| Utilities | Electricity, water and heat supplied continuously, unless the tenancy agreement makes the tenant solely responsible for those utilities. (Minimum Housing and Health Standards s. 8(d)) |
| Also | Also required: lockable exterior doors and windows, working smoke alarms at all times, insect screens, a stove and refrigerator in safe working order, and premises free of insect and rodent infestation. The Standards do not mention mould or air conditioning by name. (Minimum Housing and Health Standards ss. 1-17) |
Who enforces it
Public health inspectors (executive officers) enforce the standards. Alberta.ca directs tenants to Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health. An inspector can order work done, order the premises vacated or declare them unfit; the order can be appealed within 10 days, and breaching it carries a fine of $100 to $5,000 a day. (Public Health Act ss. 59-62, 73(2); alberta.ca During a tenancy)
When a repair is not done
For a landlord breach, a tenant can apply to RTDRS or the court for damages, a rent reduction to the extent the tenant lost the benefit of the agreement, the cost of doing the landlord's work, or ending the tenancy if the breach is serious enough. (RTA s. 37(1))
Not by holding back rent. Government guidance says a tenant cannot withhold rent because the landlord is not meeting obligations, and repair costs cannot be taken off the rent without an order or an agreement. (alberta.ca During a tenancy; RTA Handbook)
RTDRS cannot order the work itself: order a landlord to carry out repairs, investigate offences, or fine anyone. A claim for repairs to be done goes to the Court of King's Bench.
Getting in to do the work
A landlord may enter to inspect, repair or deal with pests on written, signed notice served at least 24 hours ahead, stating the reason and the date and time, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on a day that is not a holiday. (RTA s. 23(3)-(6)) The full rules are on the landlord entry page.
A landlord may not end a tenancy or penalize a tenant because the tenant complained, applied or gave evidence under the RTA or the Public Health Act. It is an offence with a fine of up to $5,000. (RTA s. 25, s. 60(1)(a))
A repair dispute you want settled?
Tell me what is broken, when it was reported and what has been done since. I will tell you what the standards require and the quickest way to close it out.
Rather hand it to someone?
I offer two landlord services in Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane and Okotoks, through KO Realty.
- Full management: screening, rent collection, inspections and the tenancy paperwork, for 8–10% of rent collected.
- Tenant placement only: I find, screen and sign the tenant for 50–75% of one month's rent, once, and you manage from there.
Questions
What temperature must an Alberta rental be kept at?
The heating must be able to keep habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms at 22 °C (71 °F) or more. In extreme cold a public health officer may allow less than 22 °C but more than 16 °C.
Can a tenant in Alberta withhold rent until repairs are done?
Government guidance says no: a tenant cannot withhold rent because a repair has not been done, and repair costs cannot be deducted without an order or agreement. The tenant can instead ask RTDRS or the court for damages or a rent reduction, or contact Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health about the standards.
Sources
- Government of Alberta: Residential Tenancies Act (Alberta), full text
- Government of Alberta: Housing Regulation (Public Health Act), AR 173/1999
- Government of Alberta: Minimum Housing and Health Standards
- Government of Alberta: Alberta.ca: During a tenancy
Rules, fees and programs change. Confirm current details with the issuing authority before acting.
Last updated 2026-10-08 · Written by Mohammad Emon, REALTOR® (SRES®) & Licensed Property Manager, KO Realty · RECA licence CON-00133897