Renting in Alberta: rights, rent increases and average rents

Who handles landlord-tenant disputes in Alberta, how rent increases work, what rents cost and which programs help.

Who to contact

Residential tenancies in Alberta are handled by the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS). It explains the rules, provides the official forms and settles disputes between landlords and tenants. Official site ↗

Rent increases

There is no limit on the amount of a rent increase, but at least one year (365 days) must pass between increases or since the start of the tenancy. A month-to-month tenant must get three full tenancy months' written notice.

Exceptions and details

A landlord cannot raise the rent during a fixed-term lease; rent can change only when a new lease is signed.
Week-to-week tenancy: 12 full tenancy weeks' notice. Other periodic tenancies: 90 days. A notice that does not meet the rules is void.
Security deposit: at most one month's rent at the start of the tenancy, and it cannot be raised later.

Source: official rent increase page ↗, read on 2026-11-13.

Average rents by city (2025)

City	Studio	1 bedroom	2 bedrooms	3 bedrooms
Canmore	–	$1,858	$2,438	$3,676
Calgary	$1,438	$1,581	$1,908	$2,118
Okotoks	–	–	$1,778	$2,039
Red Deer County	–	–	$1,703	–
Edmonton	$1,108	$1,301	$1,598	$1,802
Lethbridge	–	$1,370	$1,593	$1,683
Strathmore	–	$1,283	$1,520	$1,463
Sylvan Lake	–	$1,355	$1,467	$1,505
Wood Buffalo	$1,010	$1,199	$1,457	$2,026
Lacombe	–	$1,157	$1,451	$1,561
Grande Prairie	$1,069	$1,223	$1,427	$1,604
Red Deer	$1,036	$1,220	$1,418	$1,677
Brooks	$1,003	$1,176	$1,406	$1,638
Camrose	–	$1,228	$1,346	$1,244
Cold Lake	–	$1,092	$1,328	$1,472
Wetaskiwin	–	$984	$1,294	$1,605
High River	–	$1,106	$1,286	$1,538
Medicine Hat	$1,011	$1,120	$1,217	$1,468
Yellowhead County	–	–	–	–

Average rent of occupied units in CMHC's survey (Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0133-01). Asking rents for vacant units are usually higher. All cities →

Help paying rent

The Canada Housing Benefit is delivered by each province and territory, and people with low income may also qualify for social assistance shelter amounts. All programs →

Before you sign

Get the lease in writing and keep a copy.
Ask what is included: heat, electricity, water, parking, internet.
Photograph the unit on move-in day and note existing damage.
Check what deposit is allowed in this province before paying one.
Buy tenant insurance: the landlord's policy does not cover your belongings.

General information, not legal or financial advice. Figures show their source and the date they were read; confirm with the official body before making a decision.