What repairs is a Calgary landlord required to make under Alberta law?

Under the Alberta Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), landlords must maintain the rental premises in a state of good repair and fit for habitation. This includes: functioning heat (Alberta landlords must provide heating systems capable of maintaining a minimum of 22°C — and the heating system must be in working order), functioning plumbing (working toilets, sinks, hot water), structurally sound walls, ceilings, and floors, working locks on entry doors, and vermin-free premises. Landlords are required to address repairs that affect habitability within a reasonable timeframe. The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) handles disputes and can order repairs.

What repairs typically happen between tenants in a Calgary rental property?

Between-tenant repairs in a Calgary rental typically include: interior painting (walls and trim), carpet cleaning or replacement, drywall repair (holes from picture hangers, door handles), caulk replacement in bathrooms and kitchens, smoke and CO detector battery replacement and testing, lock re-key or replacement, blind and curtain rod replacement or repair, cabinet door adjustment and hardware replacement, faucet washer or cartridge replacement, and general cleaning. More significant repairs that sometimes arise: drywall texture repair after moisture damage, floor refinishing or carpet replacement, appliance installation, and exterior caulking at windows and doors.

How should a Calgary landlord document rental property condition?

Alberta law requires a move-in and move-out inspection report (condition inspection report) signed by both landlord and tenant. This report is the legal document used to determine what damage (beyond normal wear and tear) the tenant is responsible for. Photograph every room, appliance, and fixture at move-in and move-out — time-stamped photos are admissible in RTDRS proceedings. Areas to document carefully: walls (marks, holes, paint condition), carpet (staining, wear), bathroom caulk condition, appliance condition, window screens, and any pre-existing damage. A landlord who cannot produce a signed move-in condition report has limited ability to claim tenant damage deductions from the security deposit.

What is normal wear and tear vs. tenant damage in a Calgary rental?

Normal wear and tear is the expected deterioration from ordinary use over time — a landlord cannot charge a tenant for this. Examples in Calgary rentals: minor scuffs on painted walls, small nail holes from picture hanging (1 to 2 per room), carpet wear in high-traffic paths, fading from UV exposure, minor bathroom caulk cracking in dry Calgary winters. Tenant damage is beyond normal use: large holes in drywall, burns or stains in carpet, broken tiles, broken window glass, significant paint damage requiring full room repainting, broken fixtures or cabinet doors. The standard: would this deterioration have occurred without tenant action or negligence?

How much does between-tenant rental property prep cost in Calgary?

Between-tenant rental property prep costs in Calgary depend heavily on property condition and the previous tenant's care level. A typical one-bedroom Calgary condo in good condition: paint touch-ups ($125 to $185), bathroom re-caulk ($85), smoke detector check + battery replacement ($35), lock rekey ($65), minor drywall repairs ($85 to $145) — total around $400 to $550. A full repaint (all walls, one bedroom, kitchen, bathroom): from $650 to $950. A standard house in average condition between tenants (paint, drywall, minor repairs, caulk, smoke detectors): from $850 to $1,800 depending on scope.

Rental Property Maintenance Calgary

What Alberta law requires landlords to maintain

The Alberta Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) and Alberta's Residential Tenancy Regulations define landlord maintenance obligations. The core requirement is that a rental property must be maintained in a state of good repair and habitable condition throughout the tenancy — not just at move-in.

Obligation	Required standard	Timeline
Heat	System capable of maintaining 22°C minimum	Immediate — emergency repair
Hot water	Working hot water to sinks, tub/shower	Immediate — habitability
Plumbing	Working toilets, functioning drains	Immediate — habitability
Structural	Sound walls, ceilings, floors — no water intrusion	Reasonable timeframe
Entry locks	Working deadbolt on all exterior doors	Before tenancy, maintain throughout
Smoke/CO detectors	Functioning, per Alberta Fire Code placement	Before tenancy, maintain throughout
Vermin control	Premises free of rodent and insect infestation	Upon notice from tenant

The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) is the Alberta administrative tribunal that handles landlord-tenant disputes without court. Tenants can file an RTDRS application for uninhabitable conditions, and the service can order repairs with a specific timeline.

The between-tenant repair checklist

A well-maintained Calgary rental property typically needs the following work between tenants. The scope varies significantly based on the length of tenancy and condition of the previous occupancy:

Paint: touch-ups on walls with minor marks, or full repaint if soiling is extensive. Calgary rentals see paint as a 5 to 7 year maintenance item under normal tenancy — shorter if the previous tenant smoked indoors.
Drywall: fill and paint nail holes from picture hanging (a few holes per room is normal wear; dozens is tenant damage)
Caulk: bathroom and kitchen caulk replacement — Calgary's humidity cycling dries and cracks caulk at tub edges and around sinks faster than in humid climates. A fresh caulk joint is both a cosmetic and a mould-prevention repair.
Smoke and CO detectors: battery replacement (or 10-year sealed battery unit check), test all units. Alberta Fire Code requires detectors at each level and outside each sleeping area.
Locks: rekey or replace exterior deadbolts after each tenancy — a previous tenant's key copies cannot be accounted for.
Cabinet hardware and doors: tighten loose hardware, adjust misaligned cabinet doors, replace worn drawer slides if needed.
Faucets and fixtures: replace worn washers or cartridges in any dripping faucets; check toilet flapper and fill valve.
Blinds and window coverings: replace broken slats or bent blinds that the previous tenant was responsible for.
Exterior caulking: check window and door caulk annually — Calgary's freeze-thaw cycles accelerate caulk failure at exterior penetrations.

What a handyman handles vs. licensed trades

Repair scope	Who does it
Painting, touch-ups, caulking, drywall repair	Handyman
Smoke/CO detector testing and replacement	Handyman
Lock rekey or replacement	Handyman (install) / Locksmith (rekey cylinder)
Cabinet adjustment, hardware replacement	Handyman
Minor faucet repair (washer, cartridge, seat)	Handyman
Toilet flapper, fill valve, wax ring replacement	Handyman
Appliance installation (dishwasher, OTR microwave)	Handyman
Electrical panel or wiring work	Licensed electrician (required in Alberta)
Plumbing rough-in or drain reconfiguration	Licensed plumber (required in Alberta)
Furnace service or repair	Licensed HVAC technician

Calgary rental property maintenance pricing

Scope	Starting price
Between-tenant touch-up (paint, drywall, caulk, detectors)	From $295 (1-bed unit)
Full 1-bedroom unit repaint + repairs	From $750
Full house between-tenant repairs (paint, caulk, drywall, locks)	From $850
Annual rental property maintenance visit (multi-point check)	From $185
Lock rekey (all exterior doors, 1 visit)	From $145

Rental property maintenance in Calgary

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