What Alberta's New Condo Law Changes Mean for Us

How Alberta’s Newest Condo Law Changes Affect Operations at Red Haus

Alberta made a significant round of changes to the Condominium Property Act and its regulations, most of which took effect in February 2026. A recent legal briefing delivered by McLeod Law walked through what is new. Here is a plain-language summary of the pieces most likely to touch you as a Red Haus owner or resident.

A NEW PLACE TO RESOLVE DISPUTES

The province is launching a Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal (CDRT), expected to begin accepting cases in April 2026. It is meant to be a faster, less formal, and less expensive alternative to court for certain condo disputes. To start, its authority is limited to a few areas: monetary sanctions (and whether they were issued properly), access to corporation documents, and matters connected to annual and special general meetings. The province plans to review and likely expand that scope after the first year.

A few practical notes:

•    There is a one-year window to bring a matter, measured from when you knew or reasonably should have known about the dispute.

•    Filing fees begin at $150, with additional fees if a matter proceeds to adjudication or extended mediation. The Tribunal Chair can waive fees in cases of financial hardship.

•    The Tribunal is funded by an annual fee of $9 per unit (including parking and storage units), beginning at the end of 2026. For a community of our size, this becomes a modest recurring line in the operating budget, and the Board will account for it accordingly.

CHANGES TO CHARGEBACKS

A “chargeback” is the mechanism for recovering the corporation's costs when something an owner does, or fails to do, forces the corporation to repair, replace, maintain, or protect property. The amount is capped at the lesser of the actual costs (plus reasonable related services) or the insurance deductible.

The new rules add a clear, fair process:

•    The Board must give written notice of a proposed chargeback within 90 days of becoming aware of the issue. That notice will name the owner and unit, describe what happened, estimate the amount, and set a deadline for the owner's written response.

•    The Board can only formalize the chargeback by resolution after that response deadline has passed.

•    A separate Statement of Chargeback then follows, setting out the amount, how to pay, and the payment deadline.

•    Owners have 30 days from the Statement of Chargeback to appeal.

The takeaway for owners: you will always be told in writing, given a chance to respond, and given a route to dispute the amount.

HOW VOTING WORKS AT MEETINGS

A few small clarifications are worth knowing before the next general meeting:

•    An owner vote is one vote per owner. If a unit has more than one owner, each owner votes. If you own more than one unit, you still get one vote.

•    A unit factor vote is weighted by unit factors. Any eligible voter can request a unit factor vote before the result of an owner vote is announced.

•    A corporation that owns a unit can now cast a vote on a special resolution, voting with the majority.

STRONGER PROTECTION FOR YOUR VOLUNTEER BOARD

The updated Act reinforces protection for board members. If someone sues a director for something done in good faith on the corporation's behalf and the claim fails, the court can order that person to pay the director's legal costs on a full (solicitor-and-client) basis. In plain terms, this discourages meritless claims against the volunteers who give their time to run our community.

A FEW HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS

•    Insurance deductibles: The corporation can recover up to the amount of its insurance deductible from an owner after an insured loss, and it does not have to file an insurance claim first to do so.

•    Selling your unit: Estoppel certificates and information statements now carry additional details, including any proposed chargeback against the unit and information on unit factors. If you are selling, your lawyer will see these.

•    New-build inspections: The new “technical analysis” requirement for newer buildings does not apply to Red Haus, as it only affects condominiums first occupied on or after February 15, 2026.

 As always, this is a friendly overview rather than legal advice. If you have questions about how any of these changes affect your unit, please reach out to the Board, and we will point you to the right resource.

Source: Summary based on a legal briefing presented by McLeod Law.

Passing Kindly with Pets Indoors

Passing Kindly
Navigating Indoor Spaces on Four Legs and on Two

Filed under: Pet-Friendly Living, Bylaws, Community Etiquette

Shared Spaces, Shared Courtesy

Our hallways, stairwells, elevators, and lobbies are some of the most frequently used shared spaces at Red Haus. They’re where neighbours pass each other throughout the day—heading to work, coming home with groceries, walking the dog, or returning from the parkade.

Because these spaces belong to everyone, they work best when approached with mutual courtesy and a spirit of cooperation.

Red Haus is a pet-friendly community, and that is part of what many residents value about living here. At the same time, neighbours may have different comfort levels around animals. Some residents are enthusiastic dog lovers, some are cautious, and some are simply passing through on a busy day.

Living well together means meeting in the middle. Dog owners are asked to keep pets under control and be mindful of shared spaces, while non-dog residents are asked to remember that responsibly managed pets are a welcome and permitted part of community life here. No one group has a greater claim to common space than another—we all share it equally.

This refresher is about helping those daily interactions stay respectful, smooth, and neighbourly for everyone.

What the Bylaws Support

Pets on Common Property must be leashed or safely contained in a carrier, and under the care and control of a responsible person at all times.

Common Property includes:

• Hallways

• Stairwells

• Elevators

• Lobbies

• Parkade areas

All residents are also expected to use shared spaces in a way that does not unreasonably interfere with others’ enjoyment of the property. The guidance below is simply what those principles look like in practice.

Bylaw References: 62.B, 3(i)

Before You Open the Door

Leash First, Then Hallway

Please leash your dog inside the suite before opening the door—not after stepping into the corridor. This helps avoid sudden encounters and keeps transitions into shared spaces calm and predictable.

Carriers for Small Pets

Cats and smaller dogs often do well when carried or transported in a carrier through busier areas such as entrances and lobbies. This can help pets feel secure while making movement through shared spaces easier for everyone.

Elevator Etiquette

Keep Leads Short

Elevators are compact shared spaces. Keeping your dog close to your side rather than at the end of a retractable leash gives everyone more room and helps avoid surprises when doors open.

Practice Patience Both Ways

Some residents may prefer extra space from a dog. Others may be comfortable sharing the elevator as normal. Courtesy can come from either side: a dog owner may choose to wait for the next car, or another resident may do the same.

Neither expectation should fall automatically on one group. A brief moment of patience and goodwill from either neighbour usually solves the situation with ease.

Give Everyone Room

Positioning yourself and your pet toward one side or corner of the elevator creates space for others to enter and exit comfortably. Likewise, fellow riders can help by entering thoughtfully and avoiding crowding where possible.

Hallways & Stairwells

Keep Moving Through Transit Spaces

Hallways and stairwells function best as pathways rather than stopping points. Keeping traffic moving helps everyone navigate comfortably, whether with pets, strollers, deliveries, or mobility aids.

Bathroom breaks, play, and longer pauses are best saved for outdoor areas.

Pass With Courtesy

When approaching another resident, shorten the lead and move to one side. If extra space is needed, allow one another to pass comfortably.

Sometimes that means a dog owner stepping aside. Other times it may mean a neighbour pausing briefly to let a resident with their dog continue through. Shared courtesy works in both directions.

Watch the Corners

Blind corners can create sudden close encounters for people and pets alike. Slowing briefly and taking wider turns can make crossings smoother for everyone.

If Your Animal has an Accident

Sometimes accidents happen. What matters most is responding promptly and responsibly.

If your pet has an accident in a common area:

1. Clean it as thoroughly as possible right away

2. Notify the Site Office so the area can be properly sanitized

3. Follow up if additional cleaning or repair is needed

Where carpets, upholstery, or finishes are damaged, restoration costs may be charged back to the unit owner under the bylaws.

Reporting an accident is not viewed negatively—it’s simply the responsible way to care for a shared space.

Bylaw Reference: 45(g)(i)(E)

Lobbies & Main Entrances

Entrances and lobbies are high-traffic areas shared by residents carrying groceries, using strollers, walking pets, or moving with mobility aids and deliveries.

A few small habits help these spaces run smoothly:

• Keep dogs close to your side

• Carry small pets when practical

• Avoid stopping in doorways

• Step aside when pausing to chat

• Keep pathways clear during busy times

• Offer one another patience during peak moments

These simple gestures make coming and going easier for everyone.

A Final Note

None of this is new—it is a reminder that shared living works best when neighbours extend grace to one another.

At Red Haus, pets are part of our community, and so is the expectation of mutual respect. Dog owners and non-dog residents alike share the same hallways, the same elevators, and the same responsibility to help those spaces feel welcoming.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Red Haus considerate, balanced, and neighbourly.

— Your Red Haus Board of Directors