What Should a Calgary Landlord Do at Move-Out?

Start with the agreement, notice, mutual termination or order that ends the tenancy. Confirm the effective date, Calgary premises, expected move-out time and whether the tenant has actually given up possession. A returned key can be evidence, but it is not the only fact.

Ask for a written forwarding address and provide clear move-out contact details. Do not schedule the next tenant's possession so tightly that an overholding tenant, delayed inspection, condominium elevator issue or essential repair creates an immediate breach.

Alberta requires move-in and move-out inspection reports. Offer the tenant the inspection within the required period and document the appointment. If the tenant does not participate, the landlord may inspect without them only after offering two inspection times on different non-holiday days between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and meeting the other requirements.

Keep the offers, responses, report, required statements, signatures and delivery evidence together. A photo folder does not replace the statutory inspection-report process.

Use the move-in report, dated photographs, repair history and agreed changes as the baseline. Walk the same rooms and included areas in a consistent order. Record cleanliness, damage, missing items and systems that require testing rather than using vague labels such as bad condition.

Separate pre-existing defects and normal deterioration from tenant-caused damage. Alberta describes normal wear and tear as deterioration that occurs over time with use even when reasonable care and maintenance are provided.

Count unit keys, mailbox keys, fobs, remotes, parking passes, storage locks and condominium access devices against the move-in record. Record final utility and sub-meter readings and who must close or transfer each account.

Change access credentials when lawful possession is clear and coordinate condominium programming. Keep one emergency access method during turnover and document who holds it. Do not infer abandoned possession merely because one key is left behind.

Identify the condition, location, likely cause and work required. Use dated photographs, contractor observations, invoices or reasonable estimates. Separate cleaning, repair, replacement, maintenance, betterment and owner renovation rather than charging the entire turnover project to the tenant.

Account for age, prior condition and useful life when a replacement improves an older item. Do not use a standard repainting or carpet fee without tying the claimed loss to the agreement, evidence and actual facts.

If there are no deductions, Alberta states that the full deposit plus interest owing must be delivered within 10 days after the tenant gives up possession. If there are deductions, the landlord must within 10 days return the undisputed balance with a statement of account or provide an estimate and return the amount not expected to be used.

When an estimate is used, provide the final statement and any money owing within 30 days after the tenancy ends. Reconcile the trust ledger, prescribed annual interest and the tenant's forwarding information.

A landlord who did not meet the inspection-report requirements cannot deduct damage or cleaning costs from the security deposit. That does not necessarily erase every possible legal claim, but it changes the deposit remedy and evidence position.

Do not create or alter a report after the fact. Preserve the actual evidence and obtain Alberta legal or RTDRS guidance about a claim that exceeds the deposit or involves disputed liability.

Do not add all left items to a cleaning invoice and discard them automatically. Confirm whether possession ended, inventory the goods and follow Alberta's abandoned-goods rules, including valuation, storage and sale requirements where applicable.

Secure identity documents, medication, hazardous material, vehicle keys and items containing personal information. Civil-enforcement possession can involve a different goods process, so confirm who recovered possession before acting.

After evidence is captured, triage active water, heat, electrical, security, pest and safety issues first. Then schedule cleaning, maintenance and improvements. Confirm legal use, smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, insurance, condominium requirements, utilities and winter protection before advertising.

Use a realistic ready date based on completed work, not a hoped-for contractor date. A vacant property still needs heat, water monitoring, snow response and insurer-compliant checks.

File the termination document, possession evidence, inspection reports, access inventory, photographs, invoices, deposit statements, payment proof and any remaining claim in date order. Preserve the records for the applicable period and restrict tenant personal information.

Review which agreement, screening, maintenance or calendar control would have reduced the loss. Update the next tenancy package before advertising rather than carrying an ambiguous clause or undocumented process forward.

Last source review: July 30, 2026. Tenancy rules, forms, service methods, filing fees, interest rates, privacy guidance, human-rights duties and local requirements can change. Verify the agreement, property, event and deadline with the Alberta lawyer, licensed property manager, insurer, accountant, contractor, municipality or government service responsible for the answer.