Message from the Administrator

Message from Duane Monea, Administrator of the Real Estate Council of Alberta

On Thursday, April 9, 2020, under the authority of the Public Health Act, the Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Service Alberta, issued a Ministerial Order to temporarily modify provisions in several acts and regulations related to timelines, location and distance, as well as utility payments and access to information requests.

We recognize that responding to the pandemic is challenging the capacity for many organizations to comply with aspects of existing legislation and regulations. These modifications will help businesses, public bodies and non-profits remain complaint as they focus their efforts on responding to COVID-19, and will remain in place for the duration of Alberta’s State of Public Health Emergency. These modifications include provisions to further help landlords and tenants balance their needs during this time and are relevant to the real estate industry.

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, the following modifications have been made:

• A landlord, prospective purchaser or prospective renter is not entitled to enter residential premises for a reason that requires notice where:
  • a tenant in that unit has notified the landlord that they are self-isolating, or in quarantine as they are displaying symptoms consistent with the pandemic COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19,
  • the prospective purchaser or tenant is self-isolating, or in quarantine as they are displaying symptoms consistent with the pandemic COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19, or
  • the landlord is self-isolating, or in quarantine as they are displaying symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19, unless that landlord designates an agent to enter on their behalf who is not self-isolating or in quarantine.
• Entry is still allowed if neither the tenant nor any person entering is self-isolating or in quarantine. A landlord can also enter if the tenant consents to the entry, if there is reason to believe the tenant has abandoned the premises, or if the landlord reasonably believes there is an emergency that requires the landlord to enter. Note that if a tenant gives consent, they can also withdraw this consent at any time.

Please also refer to the COVID-19 and Real Estate web page for up-to-date information for industry professionals during this pandemic.