To get a public health inspection of an Alberta rental, first ask the landlord in writing to fix the problem. If it is not fixed, file a complaint with Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health online or at 1-833-476-4743. An inspector checks the unit against the Minimum Housing and Health Standards and can order the landlord to do the work.
This is the tenant's route when a landlord ignores a health or safety problem: no heat, no hot water, leaks and mould, pests, broken locks or windows. The standards themselves are covered in repairs and minimum housing standards.
What do you need before you call AHS?
- your name, phone number and address;
- the landlord's name and phone number;
- a short description of the problem and when it started;
- your dated written repair request and any reply, plus photos (and temperature readings for a heat problem; see the 22°C rule).
How do you request a public health inspection step by step?
- Report the problem to the landlord in writing and give the landlord a chance to fix it.
- File the complaint through the AHS Environmental Public Health page ("Make a Complaint, Request a Service or Ask a Question"), or call 1-833-476-4743 to reach a live operator Monday to Friday.
- Let the inspector in. The Public Health Act allows entry to a private dwelling with the consent of the "owner", a term that includes the person in actual possession, so the tenant can consent. Without consent the officer can seek a court order.
- Show the evidence. The inspector may take photos, samples and measurements and ask questions of anyone with information.
- Watch for the order. If the inspector finds a contravention, a written order is served on the landlord with the reasons, the work required and the deadline. A copy goes to the registered owner too.
What can a public health order require?
| Order type | What it means for the tenant |
|---|---|
| Work order | The landlord must do the listed repairs by the deadline; you usually stay. |
| Unfit for human habitation | The unit, or part of it, may not be lived in until fixed. |
| Vacate or closure order | Occupants must leave; the order is posted at the property. |
If the landlord does not comply, the inspector or a person they appoint may enter and do the work. The cost becomes a debt the landlord owes, and if unpaid 60 days after a demand it can be passed to the municipality to collect like property tax. A landlord directly affected can appeal to the Public Health Appeal Board within 10 days of receiving the order.
What can a tenant do once there is an order?
- End the tenancy on 14 days' notice if the landlord has failed to comply with the order (RTA s.28), using form AR211-F6. The notice is void if the landlord objects in writing within 7 days having complied or obtained a stay.
- Claim at the RTDRS for an abatement of rent, damages or repair costs; see no heat or hot water for how those claims work.
- Rely on protection from retaliation: a landlord may not end the tenancy or penalise you only because you complained under the Public Health Act (RTA s.25).
Frequently asked questions
Can I see whether a rental has had a closure order?
AHS publishes zone pages of health enforcement orders; the Edmonton Zone page, for example, lists housing closure orders by address, including basement suites.
Does AHS handle pests?
Pest infestations fall under the housing standards; see pest control in Alberta rentals.
Can I stop paying rent while the order is open?
No. A tenant cannot withhold rent over repairs.
Can an order be issued without a visit?
Yes. The Act allows an order based on a report or test where the place was not inspected.
Landlord ignoring a public health order?
If the order has not been complied with, a tenant can end the tenancy with the AR211-F6 Tenant's Notice. Fill it out online for free.
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