Tenant & Landlord Guide

Rental & Condo Pest Rules in Calgary: Who Pays?

Understanding your rights and responsibilities for pest control in Calgary rentals and condos.

Landlord Responsibilities
  • Provide a habitable, pest-free unit at move-in
  • Address infestations in common areas
  • Pay for pest control when infestation pre-dates tenancy
  • Respond to pest complaints in reasonable timeframe
  • Treat multiple units when infestation spreads
  • Maintain building to prevent pest entry
Tenant Responsibilities
  • Report pest problems promptly in writing
  • Maintain cleanliness to prevent attracting pests
  • Prepare unit properly for pest treatment
  • Allow access for inspections and treatment
  • May be responsible if infestation caused by tenant actions
  • Follow landlord's reasonable pest prevention guidelines

Special Situations

Bed Bugs

Often disputed. Landlords typically pay unless they can prove tenant brought them in. Document with photos and dates.

Condos (Owner-Occupied)

Unit owners typically responsible for their unit. Condo board handles common areas. Check your condo bylaws.

Multi-Unit Buildings

Treating one unit often ineffective. Building-wide treatment usually needed for cockroaches and bed bugs.

Important: Document Everything

Whether you're a tenant or landlord, documentation protects you:

  • • Take dated photos of any pest evidence
  • • Report issues in writing (email creates a record)
  • • Keep copies of all pest control invoices and reports
  • • Document the timeline of when issues started and were reported

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