Alberta Residential Landlord Association (ARLA) works hard to bring our members together with Municipal, Provincial and Federal governments and ensure their voices are heard. ARLA ensures positive relationships are developed at all levels of government and we use these relationships to positively advocate and represent our members.  We sit on various Alberta boards and committees and have taken part in City of Edmonton Initiatives including the current issue on the Waste Management Strategy.  We have been invited to take part in numerous discussions with all levels of Government with respect to multifamily housing.

ARLA ensures that each year a contribution from the previous years financials is distributed to the Political Action Reserve (PAR) Fund.  The PAR Fund is used by ARLA for Lobbying/Strategic campaigns on behalf of the membership for issues that arise municipally/provincially and federally that require an outcome.  

Alberta – currently sit on the following Councils:
  • Alberta Barrier Free Council - Safety Codes Council
  • Alberta Residential Tenancies Advisory Committee (ARTAC)
  • Alberta Structural/Fumigation Pesticide Advisory Committee 
We keep communication up with the City of Edmonton Fire Department, City of Edmonton Police Department, RTDRS and Service Alberta and have built quality relationships with them. ​
Alberta's Rental Market Dynamics and Policy Landscape 2024
ARLA worked with Pivotal Research to prepare for distribution to our membership the Rental Market Policy Landscape from past to present in 2024. This report provides a comprehensive view spanning that highlights expenses and issues Property Owners are facing. We have attached the public report and members can view the full report and 3 page infographic under landlord resources.   
Thank you for providing me with a copy of the report and infographic on the rental market dynamics and policy landscape in Alberta. I appreciate the research being conducted to identify policy options to increase rental affordability for both renters and landlords in Alberta.
 
I would like to thank you and the Alberta Residential Landlord Association for your ongoing service on the Alberta Residential Tenancies Advisory Committee. Your commitment to improving the rental industry for all Albertans is commendable. 
 
I look forward to continuing to work with the Alberta Residential Landlord Association and other industry stakeholders to ensure that Alberta remains an affordable option to live and work.
 
Sincerely,
Honourable Dale Nally
Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction

Key Highlights:
  • Stable Rental Rates: Contrary to common misconceptions, our analysis reveals that property owners have not significantly increased rental rates over the past decade. Despite this, operating expenses have increased.
  • Challenges Faced by Property Owners: The report outlines the current expenses and challenges faced by property owners, emphasizing the complexities of managing multifamily properties.
  • Factual Basis: These researched documents serve as a factual foundation. They dispel the myth that property owners arbitrarily raise rents without cause, highlighting the opposite trend.
  • Government Engagement: We intend to leverage these documents in discussions with various levels of government. They will provide essential context for licensing considerations and rent control policies.
  • Board of Directors Involvement: Our Board of Directors actively participates in council and committee meetings. The report equips them with accurate data to contribute meaningfully to these discussions.
  • Social Media Campaign: Starting soon, we will share snippets from this report via our social media channels. Our goal is to enhance public understanding of the rental landscape.              
  • Share and Utilize: Feel free to use and share this document within your networks.
  • Stay Connected: Follow us on our social media platforms for regular updates and insights.​​
Alberta - Rent Controls
Housing availability and affordability are a conversation taking place across Canada.  Demand for housing continues to increase along with rental rates.  Alberta continues to maintain some of the lowest rents in Canada without Rent Controls, however, the topic of rent controls is becoming a conversation among politicians across Alberta.  Although our Premier and Minister of Housing have stated that rent controls are not on the table for discussion, this can change, and ARLA and its members need to be prepared.  We have been preparing and meeting with groups across Canada and Landlords with respect to this and we will look to our membership for further support.  We need to be prepared and ready to ensure Alberta is kept rent control free!
Current Efforts

To View letter to Hon. Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta & Red Tape Reductions on:  Request for Review of Implementing Electronic Communication for Tenant Services under the Residential Tenancies Act Click here
 
To read his response Click here  

We are also involved in providing input to the Alberta Law Reform Institute on changes to the RTA.  Here is there latest report. We continue to provide input to RECA for the Property Management Licensing requirements. 
 
Past Efforts:

ARLA continues to observe all City of Edmonton Council Meetings to ensure we are aware of any issues that pertain to the Residential Rental Industry. 
 
At the City of Edmonton Community & Public Services Committee meeting held on March 20, 2023, several motions were brought forward by Councillor Knack on behalf of Councillor Janz, with respect to Landlords and licensing of them along with allowing a landlord registry. City Administration provided a report which you can access in the below link that was brought to City council April 4, 2023 and was approved to be further looked into. ARLA submitted a letter to the City of Edmonton with respect to this and also met with City Administration to further discuss.  


We still continue to monitor this issue.

You can find the article and the report here. I have also included the motions that were made below.
City staff are exploring plans for a possible landlord registry that would identify landlords who consistently break bylaws or safety codes. The city is also reviewing a potential process for suspending the business licenses of landlords found to be in violation of rules. City administration outlined the options in a report accepted by councilors during an April 4 council meeting. “It’s just making sure that folks who rent have greater protection and control about where they might call home,” Councilor Andrew Knack told Postmedia.

This was the new program with bylaw adjustments – development of a Derelict Residential subclass:
https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=179469

ARLA has also been sending letters to the AB Government and City of Edmonton with respect to the Safety and Security in our City. Here is the letter we sent to both governments and the two responses we received.


ARLA is currently working on a paper that would reduce Red Tape within the Residential Tenancies Act as well as a paper to address issues within the Residential Dispute Resolution Services.

Previous Efforts - Still underway
  • ARLA presented to the City of Edmonton on behalf of its membership requesting them to review the Multi-Family Residential & Condominiums Waste/Recycling and organics service and cost.  We were asking the City to allow the Residential Industry to secure their own private contractor for waste/recycling and organics processing and remove the City of Edmonton’s Monopoly. ARLA alongside some of our members, presented to the City Council again and were defeated – The City voted in favor of the Status Quo and waste will still be monopolized by the City of Edmonton.  ARLA will bring this issue forward again when the organics processing to Multifamily units starts.
Further Past Issues:
  • Commissioned the Split Mill Rate Position Paper, presented to the City of Edmonton, Business & Property Tax Review Committee, to phase out the unfair multi-family tax rate
  • Involved on committee to review the Residential Tenancies Act, Ministerial Regulations and Code of Practice
  • Involvement with the U of A Legal Studies Department developing the Laws for Landlords Website: www.landlordandtenant.org
  • Contributed feedback to the development and implementation of the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service pilot project (resolutions for landlord and tenant disputes)
  • Discussions and information sharing as a stakeholder with the City of Edmonton Fire Department on various matters of interest to the Industry such as Lock Boxes and the future of these


​THE ALBERTA RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD ASSOCIATION ENSURES THAT IF THERE IS AN ISSUE AT ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT THAT AFFECTS THE RENTAL HOUSING IN ALBERTA, WE WILL ENSURE OUR MEMBERS VOICES ARE HEARD. 

WE ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO KEEP US INFORMED OF ANY CURRENT INDUSTRY ISSUES THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

"I commend the work your organization does to support residential landlords in Alberta, especially now during an unprecedented global health crisis.  I appreciated the opportunity to join the conversation on April 9, 2020 with Honourable Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing to discuss your concerns.  Following the teleconference, I provided direction to my staff to connect with you to obtain specific information on the financial pressures landlords face as a result of rent arrears, shortfalls and payment arrangements.  I believe working with our stakeholders will build a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by all Albertans, including landlords and tenants". 
                                                                                                                                                       John Thompson
                                                                                                                                                       Assistant Deputy Minister
                                                                                                                                                       Housing Division, Seniors and Housing ​