This release was issued under a previous government.
Starting March 1, the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) will expand into southern Alberta, allowing landlords and tenants to settle residential tenancy disputes.
“As part of this government’s ongoing commitment to modernization and efficiency, this expansion ensures that all Albertans have access to efficient, fair, and affordable dispute resolution as an alternative to the courts.”
RTDRS is a quasi-judicial tribunal created in 2006 as a quicker, more affordable system to help tenants and landlords resolve disputes over issues such as security deposits, rent debts, tenancy terminations, and damages. RTDRS operates similar to a court and uses the Residential Tenancies Act and its various regulations as a reference. Since its inception, RTDRS has diverted more than 55,000 matters from the courts.
“Expanding the dispute resolution service increases access to justice for Albertans and frees up needed court resources to deal with other matters.”
RTDRS provides dispute resolution services to the majority of the province from offices in Edmonton and Calgary via teleconference.
Tenancy Dispute Officers conduct hearings and their decisions are binding on both parties on claims of up to $50,000.