Housing and Health

All rental housing accommodations are subject to inspection by the regional health authorities.  Housing properties in Edmonton and surrounding area will be inspected by officers from Capital Health.

A health inspector or environmental health officer may conduct inspections of dwellings such as apartment buildings, houses, hotels, motels, rooming houses, and boarding lodges at any reasonable time.  These agents are designated as Executive Officers in the province of Alberta and act to protect the health and safety of the population.  Inspectors respond to many
complaints about rental dwellings, but efforts are being made to identify all rental housing accommodations and begin systematic spot checks.

Tenants may expect that several basic necessities be provided with most lodgings, including, but not limited to, proper cooking and bathing facilities, acceptable plumbing, electrical, and heating equipment, functional smoke alarms, and two means of egress.

Owners and operators/property managers of rental premises have the responsibility to provide these basic necessities, and are to ensure that the premises are safe and well-maintained.  They must ensure that the housing premises is in compliance with all sections of the Minimum Housing and Health Standards of the Housing Regulation on an ongoing basis, and upgrade important safety items like egress windows and guardrails to meet current codes.

It is the responsibility of owners, operators, and property managers of rental premises to obtain copies of the applicable Standards and Regulations. Electronic versions of the Housing Regulation A.R. 173/99 and the Minimum Housing and Health Standards can be found on the Alberta Health & Wellness website (Legislation) www.health.gov.ab.ca. Official copies of the standards are available by contacting the Legal and Legislative Services branch at (780) 427-6098.
 
Be advised that converted dwellings (buildings altered from their original use to function as apartments or rooming houses) are subject to the Safe Housing Standards of the City of Edmonton's Safe Housing Committee and the relevant STANDATA of member departments and agencies.

Referrals will be made to local and provincial agencies that govern the following aspects of a premises when appropriate:

• Fire code
• Building code and construction
• Planning and Development permits and zoning
• Business licensing

If an inspection occurs in any premises as a result of a routine call or complaint investigation, any contraventions will be noted and timelines will be given to owners to rectify deficiencies.  Where housing deficiencies are deemed critical, an order may be issued, or the premises may be declared Unfit for Human Habitation.  It is in the best interests of the housing provider that any rental unit be in compliance with the Standards and Regulation. 

Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)