Alberta Landlord Pet Policy: What You Can Enforce and How to Write It Into Your Lease
If you’ve read anything about pet clauses in Canadian residential leases, you’ve probably seen the warning: no-pet clauses are void and unenforceable. That warning applies to Ontario. It does not apply to Alberta.
Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act contains no provision equivalent to Ontario’s Section 14, which automatically voids blanket no-pet prohibitions. In Alberta, a landlord pet policy written clearly into a signed lease is enforceable — at the RTDRS, in writing, against a tenant who violates it. That distinction is significant, and it’s the foundation of everything in this article.
Understanding what Alberta law actually permits — and how to write a clause that holds up — is the difference between a pet policy that protects your property and one that looks official but does nothing when tested.
What Alberta Law Says About Pet Clauses
Alberta’s RTA does not specifically address pet clauses either to permit or to restrict them beyond the general principle that lease terms are enforceable provided they do not conflict with the Act or other applicable legislation. This means the enforceability of your Alberta landlord pet policy depends entirely on whether it’s written into the signed lease and whether it violates any statutory rule.
There is no Alberta statute that voids a no-pets clause. There is no provision preventing a landlord from restricting pets by type, breed, size, or number. There is no requirement that landlords accept pets as a condition of renting. What the Act does establish — through its general framework for tenancy breaches — is that a tenant who violates a material term of the lease is in breach, and the landlord has recourse through a written notice and, if unresolved, an RTDRS application.
The one area where Alberta pet policy intersects with human rights legislation is service animals — addressed in the FAQ below. Outside of that specific situation, your pet clause is as enforceable as any other material term of the lease, provided it’s drafted clearly and signed before the tenancy begins.
The Three Types of Pet Policies and How to Write Each
Option A: Full No-Pet Policy
A full prohibition is the simplest approach and the easiest to enforce at the RTDRS. If no pets are permitted and a tenant acquires one, the breach is clear and documented from the moment the lease was signed.
Your no-pet clause should state:
- No animals of any kind are permitted in or about the rental premises, including but not limited to dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and rodents
- This restriction applies to the rental unit, balcony, yard, and any common areas of the property
- A violation of this provision constitutes a material breach of the tenancy agreement
- The landlord may serve a written notice requiring removal of the animal within a specified period, and may proceed to the RTDRS if the animal is not removed
The clause does not need to be lengthy. It needs to be unambiguous. “No pets” followed by nothing is a preference statement. “No pets” followed by scope, breach language, and a consequence framework is an enforceable lease term.
Option B: Conditional Pet Permission
If you’re willing to permit pets but want documented protection, a conditional pet permission clause is the right approach. This structure allows a specific pet — identified by species, breed, and approximate weight — while establishing a written liability framework that follows the tenant through to the end of the tenancy.
A conditional pet permission clause or addendum should include:
Pet identification: species, breed, name, and approximate weight at the time of the agreement. Permission applies to the named animal only — acquiring an additional pet requires a new written agreement.
Damage liability: the tenant accepts full financial responsibility for any damage caused by the pet, including flooring scratches and gouges, wall and baseboard damage, yard damage, odour remediation, and HVAC cleaning. This damage is explicitly acknowledged as beyond normal wear and tear.
Professional cleaning at vacating: the tenant is required to arrange professional carpet cleaning, floor treatment, and flea extermination at the end of the tenancy, regardless of the unit’s apparent condition. Receipts must be provided within 5 days of the tenancy end date.
Flea treatment: if the pet is a species that can harbor fleas, specify professional flea extermination as a mandatory obligation — separate from general cleaning — with documentation required.
Breed or size restrictions tied to insurance: if your landlord insurance policy restricts specific breeds, reference that restriction in the clause and list the excluded breeds by name. Grounding the restriction in an insurance requirement gives it a documented business basis.
For a complete picture of how pet policy fits within a full lease clause framework, the cluster article on clauses every Alberta lease needs covers this alongside smoking, entry, subletting, and end-of-tenancy terms.
Option C: Pet Damage Claim from the Security Deposit
Alberta does not permit a separate pet deposit. The security deposit is capped at one month’s rent under the RTA, and no additional deposit — whether labeled a pet deposit, damage deposit, or cleaning fund — is permitted on top of it. Charging a separate pet deposit is an illegal charge under the Act and can result in an RTDRS order to repay it.
What you can do is claim pet damage from the security deposit at the end of the tenancy, provided:
- The damage exceeds normal wear and tear
- You have a signed move-in condition report documenting the unit’s pre-tenancy condition
- You have dated move-out photographs showing the damage
- You have written quotes or paid invoices from professional cleaners or repair contractors
Your lease clause should establish that pet-related damage — flooring, walls, yards, odour remediation — falls outside normal wear and tear, and that the security deposit may be applied to these costs. Without this language in the signed lease, a tenant can argue that any damage is consistent with normal occupancy and that the deposit should be returned in full.
Full details on the deposit return timeline, interest obligations, and deduction procedures are covered in the article on Alberta security deposit rules.
When a Tenant Gets a Pet Without Permission
A tenant who acquires a pet in violation of a no-pet clause — or who gets a second pet without written consent under a conditional permission clause — is in material breach of the tenancy agreement. Here is the step-by-step response:
Step 1: Document the breach immediately.
As soon as you confirm the unauthorized pet is present — through a properly noticed inspection, a complaint from a neighbor, or the tenant’s own disclosure — record it in writing. Note the date you became aware, how you became aware, and what type of animal is involved.
Step 2: Serve a written notice.
In Alberta, a landlord can serve a 14-day written notice of termination under Section 8 of the RTA for a substantial breach of the tenancy agreement. A material pet clause violation — particularly one involving damage, noise, or a clear violation of a signed no-pet clause — can meet this standard. The notice must specify the breach and what the tenant must do to remedy it (remove the animal) within 14 days.
Step 3: Confirm the remedy or proceed to the RTDRS.
If the tenant removes the pet within the 14-day period, document confirmation in writing. If the tenant does not comply, you can file with the RTDRS for an order of possession. Your application package should include the signed lease with the pet clause, documentation of when you became aware of the breach, a copy of the 14-day notice with proof of delivery, and any evidence of the pet’s presence (photographs taken during a properly noticed entry).
What outcome to realistically expect: If your lease clause is clearly written, the breach is documented, and the notice was properly served, the RTDRS will typically issue an order requiring compliance or granting possession. A vague lease clause or undocumented notice makes the outcome significantly less predictable.
Pet Damage Documentation Checklist
Whether you end up at the RTDRS or simply making a security deposit deduction, your documentation is what makes the claim work. An Alberta landlord pet policy is only as strong as the paper trail behind it.
At Move-In
- Move-in condition inspection report signed by both parties, room by room
- Dated photographs of all flooring surfaces, baseboards, walls, and outdoor areas — close-ups of any pre-existing marks or wear
- Signed lease or pet addendum identifying the permitted pet(s) by name, species, breed, and weight
- Written acknowledgment by the tenant that pet damage is beyond normal wear and tear and is their financial liability
During the Tenancy
- Written records of any neighbor complaints related to the pet (noise, odour, damage to common areas)
- Dated photographs taken during properly noticed entry visits if damage or pet-related issues were observed
- Any written communications from the tenant about the pet
At Move-Out
- Move-out condition inspection report matched room-by-room to the move-in report, both signed where possible
- Dated photographs of all areas showing any change from move-in condition
- Written notes on any odour observations, including specific rooms and surfaces affected
- At least two written quotes from professional cleaning and restoration companies, itemizing each service
- Paid invoices for any remediation already completed, with receipts
For an RTDRS Application
- Signed pet clause or no-pet clause from the lease
- Copies of all written notices served with proof of delivery
- Side-by-side move-in and move-out photo comparison, labeled with dates
- All remediation quotes and invoices
For a complete overview of what documentation is required across all dispute types, the article on documentation for the RTDRS covers the full file structure from lease signing through to a filed application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charge a pet deposit in Alberta?
No. Alberta’s RTA caps the security deposit at one month’s rent, and no additional deposit of any kind — pet deposit, damage deposit, cleaning deposit — is permitted above that amount. Charging a separate pet deposit is an illegal charge under the Act. Your protection comes from a well-drafted pet liability clause in the signed lease and a documented move-in condition report, not from holding additional funds. At the end of the tenancy, pet damage can be claimed from the security deposit with proper documentation.
What if my tenant gets a pet after signing a no-pet lease?
Serve a 14-day written notice as described above, requiring removal of the animal. If the tenant complies and removes the pet within 14 days, document it and keep the notice on file — it’s part of your tenancy record. If the tenant does not comply, file with the RTDRS for an order of possession. Do not wait weeks before serving notice hoping the situation resolves itself. The clock on your enforcement options starts when you become aware of the breach.
Can I evict a tenant for having an unauthorized pet in Alberta?
Yes — if the pet clause is clearly written in the signed lease, the breach is documented, and you follow the proper notice process. A 14-day written notice for substantial breach is the mechanism. The RTDRS will assess whether the breach is material, whether the notice was properly served, and whether the tenant was given a reasonable opportunity to remedy it. A clear, unambiguous pet clause combined with proper documentation gives you a strong case. A vague or missing clause gives you almost nothing.
Does a no-pet clause apply to service animals?
No. Service animals used by persons with disabilities are protected under the Alberta Human Rights Act, which takes precedence over any lease provision. A no-pet clause cannot be applied to a certified service animal, and attempting to enforce it in that context creates significant human rights liability. If a tenant presents a legitimate service animal, the appropriate response is to accommodate the animal and adjust any pet-related expectations accordingly — professional cleaning obligations may still apply at tenancy end, as they relate to unit condition rather than the presence of the animal itself. If you are uncertain how to handle a specific service animal situation, consult with a legal professional before taking any enforcement steps.
Alberta gives landlords real enforcement power over pet policies — power that landlords in Ontario simply don’t have. A clearly written no-pet clause in a signed Alberta lease is enforceable at the RTDRS. A conditional permission clause with documented liability terms protects your flooring, your walls, and your HVAC system. Neither approach requires anything complicated — just specific, clear language in the lease signed before the tenant takes possession. The Alberta Smart Landlord Lease + Kit includes a fully drafted Alberta landlord pet policy clause as part of a complete, RTA-compliant lease agreement — so your position is documented from day one of every tenancy.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
