The Alberta Law Reform Institute (ALRI) has published Residential Tenancies Act: General Issues. This is the first in a series of reports summarizing issues in the law faced by tenants and landlords on a daily basis. The Residential Tenancies Act is important because it affects over 25% of households in Alberta. While issues frequently involve money, there can also be broader impacts for landlords and tenants and their families.
The Need for Reform
Despite the Residential Tenancies Act’s importance and impact, the majority of the Act has not been changed for over 30 years. As a result, the law no longer reflects social and technological changes present in Alberta today.
ALRI found signs that the Residential Tenancies Act, related legislation, and enforcement mechanisms are not working as well as they could be. ALRI heard that the legislation is confusing and difficult to understand. People may be unknowingly breaking the law or may not know when or how to enforce their rights. It appears that non-compliance with the law is commonplace.
The law cannot prevent all of the issues that people face. However, it should help people to resolve their conflicts and legal disputes. Well-designed laws about residential tenancies should help people resolve their problems more quickly and easily leading to better outcomes for all parties involved.
Report Will Guide Future Work
Issues with residential tenancies are complex and will be difficult to address. ALRI hopes that publishing an inventory of residential tenancy issues will help guide its own work as well as the work of others looking to reform the Residential Tenancies Act.