Can landlords and tenants commit offences under the Residential Tenancies Act?

Yes. Both landlords and tenants can commit the offences of adding or changing locks without telling the other party or acting contrary to a court order made under the Act.

All other offences under the Act relate to actions by a landlord. These include

• asking for a security deposit that is more than one month’s rent;
• not paying interest on a security deposit;
• going into rented premises without giving a tenant notice in accordance with the Act; and
• not serving a Notice of Landlord at the beginning of the tenancy or updating it when information changes.

A person who commits an offence can be fined up to $5,000.

See Landlord Offences FAQ or Reference Guide to Landlord and Tenant Law in Alberta for detailed information on Offences and Penalties.

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WARNING: The contents of these FAQs are intended as general legal information only.
If you have a personal problem, please consult a lawyer.