When a Tenant Breaks Condo Rules in Calgary, Is the Landlord Responsible?

Chargebacks are a different tool. Under the amendments in force from early 2026, a corporation can recover costs from an owner for damage caused by the owner's actions, or by their tenant or guest. The board must pass a formal resolution, and written notice has to be issued within 90 days of discovery.

The notice must give the owner's name and unit number, the date and a description of the incident, the estimated amount, and a response deadline of at least 10 days. The amount is the lower of the actual repair cost or the insurance deductible, up to $50,000. An owner who disagrees can appeal to the Court of King's Bench within 30 days of the notice.

For a landlord, damage by a tenant is the owner's bill, and pending chargebacks can show up on an estoppel certificate when a unit is sold.

4. A new tribunal for sanction disputes

Alberta's Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal began operating on April 1, 2026. It hears disputes about monetary sanctions imposed by a corporation and the process used to impose them, as well as access to condominium documents and disputes over general meetings.

The fact sheet lists a $150 application fee covering guided negotiation and the first four hours of mediation, and a $350 adjudication fee. Decisions are binding and can be enforced like a court order. A dispute must be brought within one year of when the applicant knew or should have known about it.

Oppression claims under section 67 and special assessment challenges are outside the tribunal. The fact sheet does not say whether a tenant can apply, so a sanctioned tenant may need advice or the owner's help. Chargebacks are not on its published list, and their appeal route goes to the court.

5. When the board moves to end the tenancy

According to CondoLawAlberta, a board can evict a tenant who has caused damage beyond normal wear and tear to common property or corporation property, or who has violated a bylaw. It serves written notice on the tenant with a copy to the owner, and the tenant has until the last day of the month after the month in which the notice is served to leave. If the tenant doesn't go, the board can apply to the Court of King's Bench.

In emergencies, such as excessive damage or a tenant who endangers or intimidates others, the board can go straight to court, with at least five days' notice of the hearing to tenant and owner.

The owner cannot stop the board's process but keeps separate eviction rights under the Residential Tenancies Act.

6. Lease clauses that protect the owner

The owner carries the financial exposure and the bylaws bind the tenant, so the lease is where cost can be pushed back. A clause that obliges the tenant to follow the bylaws, to fix any breach promptly after notice, and to reimburse the owner for any sanction or chargeback caused by the tenant's conduct gives the owner a contractual claim. A clause that conflicts with the bylaws is unenforceable, so write the lease to match the building.

Whether a reimbursement clause holds up depends on its wording and Alberta tenancy rules, so have a lawyer review it.

Substantive review means an editor checked this article against Service Alberta and Government of Alberta guidance, the Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal fact sheet, and CondoLawAlberta guidance on tenants and bylaws. What a specific building's bylaws authorise, how the 2026 amendments apply to a particular incident, and whether a lease clause is enforceable depend on that corporation's registered bylaws and the facts of the case; verify current requirements with the property manager, the corporation's records, or an Alberta condominium lawyer before relying on this for a specific enforcement situation. This is general information, not legal advice. Corrections: compliance@platuni.com