A practical checklist for searching, touring, and applying — written for Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Airdrie. Not legal advice.
By EazyRental editorial · Last updated
What costs sit besides advertised rent?
Asking rent on a listing is often just the base. Ask the landlord, in writing, what is included. Typical extras (amounts vary by building — we do not invent a monthly figure):
Heat, electricity, water, internet
Parking or a stall
Laundry, storage, or a fob
Tenant insurance, if the landlord requires it
A security deposit — in Alberta, no more than one month’s rent (verify on Alberta.ca)
When can I move in, and is the lease fixed-term or periodic?
Pets, parking, laundry, and quiet hours
Who pays for repairs, and how do I report them?
How much notice is required to end the tenancy? (Alberta: check Alberta.ca)
What belongs in a written agreement?
Rent amount and due date, who lives there, pets, utilities, parking, how the landlord enters, and how the tenancy ends. Photograph the empty unit at move-in. Alberta expects a written inspection report at start and end — without one, deposit deductions are harder to justify. Confirm on Alberta.ca.
Do other provinces use the same rules?
No. Ontario, B.C., Quebec and others have their own statutes and tribunals. We do not list dollar caps or notice periods for those provinces here because they change and we are not the official source. Start at Tenant rights in Canada and the provincial page linked from Useful links. For Alberta, use Tenant rights in Alberta.
Frequently asked questions
How much deposit can an Alberta landlord take?
No more than one month’s rent, kept in a trust account with interest. Confirm the current rule on Alberta.ca — Starting a tenancy. Other provinces have different caps.
Is there a legal cap on how much of my income can go to rent?
A common budgeting rule of thumb is that housing should stay well below half of take-home pay — it is not a law. In expensive cities many people pay more. Compare live asking rents on EazyRental and include utilities, parking, and insurance in your own worksheet.
Do I need a written lease in Alberta?
A written tenancy agreement is strongly recommended. Verbal deals are harder to prove. Read every fee and “included” utility before you sign. This is not legal advice — verify with Service Alberta.
When should I pay a deposit?
After you have seen the home (in person or on a live video call) and have a written agreement with the person who can legally rent it. Paying first is a common scam pattern.
Rules can change. Verify the current wording with Service Alberta or the linked government page before you rely on a date, dollar amount, or notice period.
