A common issue when moving out of a rental unit is what charges, including cleaning charges, a landlord can deduct from the tenant’s security deposit. A tenant's lease ends in one week, and the landlord has already notified them to move out. Everything in the rental looks clean, but should the … [Read more...]
Legal Considerations of Living in a Multigenerational Household
As multigenerational households become more popular in Alberta, there are legal aspects to consider, about tenancy, co-ownership and family laws. What is a multigenerational household? A multigenerational household is a home where three or more generations reside. These households contain at … [Read more...]
Getting Your Security Deposit Back
Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act sets out rules that landlords and tenants must follow when it comes to security deposits, including when a tenant gets it back on move out. Moving out of your rental home can be hectic, but ensuring you get your security deposit back should not be … [Read more...]
Having Problems with Another Tenant?
Living close to others can lead to conflicts over noise, garbage and more. The following tips can help you deal with problems with another tenant. Is another tenant in your building driving you crazy? Maybe they're making too much noise, leaving garbage in the hallway, or throwing cigarette … [Read more...]
A first look at Alberta’s new life lease legislation
Recent media reports exposed gaps in consumer protection for life leases in Alberta, leading to May 2024 amendments to the Consumer Protection Act in an attempt to address these concerns. Within the past year, you may have heard about Alberta seniors trying to get their life savings back after … [Read more...]
What is an offence under Alberta’s renting laws?
Service Alberta can receive and investigate complaints about and issue fines for renting offences described in the Residential Tenancies Act. How familiar are you with offences in renting? In many provinces, tenancy laws include offences. In Alberta, most offences have to do with landlords … [Read more...]
Deficiency Judgments in Mortgage Proceedings
Some homeowners may have to pay the lender the difference between what they owe on their house and how much the lender recovers during the foreclosure process. This is known as a deficiency judgment. When someone can no longer pay their mortgage, they risk losing their home through a legal … [Read more...]
Can You Buy a Home Without a Lawyer in Alberta?
While it may be tempting to DIY the homebuying process and save on legal fees, there are many benefits to hiring a lawyer, including having a faster and lower stress experience. It is springtime and the start of homebuying season is here. If you are thinking of buying a home, you may be … [Read more...]
Edmonton’s Encampment Case: What does it mean for future cases?
The Coalition for Justice and Human Rights' August 2023 constitutional challenge to the City of Edmonton’s encampment removals did not succeed, but this case wasn't the first of its kind and likely won't be the last. As housing in Canada and Alberta becomes increasingly expensive, many people … [Read more...]
Electronic signatures and digital leases
More and more people are signing documents electronically, including digital leases, but are these documents legally binding the same way paper copies and ink signatures are? What happens when you electronically sign a document like a digital residential lease? Is it legally binding like a … [Read more...]
