Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act gives landlords just 10 days to return your deposit — with a full itemized statement. Miss the deadline, lose the right. Here's how to enforce it.
Alberta landlords must return your deposit and provide a full itemized statement of any deductions within 10 days. If they return the deposit late, or return it without an itemized statement, or withhold it without one — they are in breach. A demand letter citing Section 19 of the RTA is your first move.
A landlord must return the security deposit, together with a written statement itemizing any deductions, within 10 days after the tenancy ends. The maximum security deposit is one month's rent. Landlords cannot charge a damage deposit exceeding this amount.
The landlord must give the tenant at least 24 hours notice and conduct a move-out inspection. If the landlord fails to offer an inspection, they forfeit their right to make deductions from the deposit for damages. This is a hard rule — document whether an inspection was offered.
Cites Section 19 of the Alberta RTA and the inspection requirement under Section 20. Gives your landlord 10 days to respond.
Email for timestamp. Registered mail for proof of delivery. Keep Canada Post tracking.
Most landlords who are in the wrong will return the deposit once they receive a formal letter that cites the exact legislation.
The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service handles AB deposit disputes fast — typically within weeks. $75 filing fee. No lawyer needed. File online at Alberta.ca.
Demand it back. Alberta law requires an itemized statement with receipts for every deduction. No receipt means no legal basis for the deduction. Send a demand letter citing Section 19 and give them 10 days to return the amount.
No. Under Section 20 of the Alberta RTA, if a landlord fails to offer a move-out inspection, they lose the right to claim for damages. This is one of the strongest protections in the Act — document that no inspection was conducted and include it in your letter.
Send a demand letter immediately. The landlord is already in breach of Section 19. If they don't respond within 10 days of receiving your letter, file with the RTDRS.
The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service is Alberta's fast-track tribunal for landlord-tenant disputes. No lawyer required. Hearings typically happen within 1–3 weeks of filing. The $75 fee is often recoverable if you win.
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