Premier Kenney announces eviction ban to protect renters in Alberta during COVID-19 pandemic

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Renters in Alberta can breathe a little easier knowing an eviction ban has now come down to protect them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Jason Kenney making the announcement Friday afternoon in Edmonton.

The new protections mean that effective immediately, tenants cannot be evicted for not paying their rent or utilities before May 1.

“As of today, no one will be facing immediate eviction from their home for non-payment of rent or utilities owed to the landlord,” Kenney said. “Additionally, tenants will not face increasing financial pressure from rent increases or fees for late rent payments. We are expecting landlords and tenants to work together to figure out payment plans that help everyone meet financial obligations as we manage COVID-19, and we are doing further policy work on support for renters during these tough times.”

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These protections also mean:

• Effective immediately, rents will not increase while Alberta’s state of public health emergency remains in effect.
• Effective April 1, late fees cannot be applied to late rent payments for the next three months.
• Effective April 1, landlords and tenants need to work together to develop payment plans while the state of public health emergency is in effect.

 

“We’ve been listening to the financial concerns of landlords and tenants and these measures protect Albertans and give them time to get back on their feet,” Minister of Service Alberta, Nate Glubish said. “This is more practical relief from the immediate financial pressures on Albertans – on top of emergency isolation supports, deferrals of utility bill and student loan payments, an education property tax freeze, and ATB Financial mortgage deferrals.”

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Now, until June 30, landlords are not allowed to penalize any renter who may be late on paying rent by charging late fees, even if the signed rental agreement states that late charges can be applied.

This move by the government is apart of a $7.7-billion package to support Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic.