Problem: “I Didn’t Know That Was the Law.”
Solution: Understanding the RTA Before Mistakes Cost You Money
For new and experienced landlords in Calgary, the biggest surprise in property management is not dealing with tenants it is dealing with the law.
Many landlords assume the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) is simply paperwork and lease agreements, but the RTA is a legally binding framework that dictates how every landlord-tenant interaction must be handled. If you do not follow it, even unintentionally, you can lose thousands in damages, rent, or court penalties.
Most landlord failures are not the result of bad tenants.
They are the result of not knowing the rules.
Common examples:
- Issuing the wrong notice period for rent increases
- Entering a property without proper written notice
- Not handling the security deposit interest correctly
- Ending a tenancy without following the required procedure
Every mistake becomes evidence against you if a dispute reaches the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS).
Understanding the RTA: What Landlords MUST Know
The Residential Tenancy Act in Alberta governs:
- Lease agreements
- Security deposits
- Entry and inspection rights
- Rent increases and notices
- Eviction rules
The RTA exists to protect both landlords and tenants, but only one group consistently reads and understands it.
And it is not the landlords.
Many Calgary owners learn the hard way that:
“I didn’t know the law,”
is not a defence.
Top RTA Rules Landlords Commonly Break
Rule 1: Security deposit maxes out at one month’s rent.
A landlord cannot legally hold anything higher than one month’s rent as a deposit.
Rule 2: 24-hour written notice to enter the rental property.
Entering without notice is grounds for tenant complaints and legal action.
Rule 3: Rent increases have strict notice requirements.
Periodic leases require 90 days written notice.
Fixed leases cannot be raised until the lease ends.
Rule 4: Evictions are a legal process, not a conversation.
You must use the correct eviction notice type and delivery method.
The Cost of Not Knowing
One incorrect notice
One missed timeline
One heated conversation with a tenant
All can lead to:
- A full dismissal of your eviction application
- A requirement to return the tenant’s entire deposit
- A tenant being allowed to remain in the property
Landlords think they are “being reasonable.”
The RTDRS cares only about whether you followed the RTA precisely.
Solution: Learn it, or partner with someone who already has
Landlords don’t need to memorize the RTA.
But they must operate within it.
Green Casa Property Management handles:
- Tenant selection and screening
- RTA compliance
- Legal notices and documentation
- Rent increases and lease renewals
- Eviction process management when required
When the law is followed from day one, disputes don’t happen.
Your investment should grow, not end up in a tribunal hearing.
Final Thought
Successful landlords are not the ones with the best tenants.
They are the ones who understand the rules.
