Rent Control?

Making Renting in Red Deer More Transparent
 
The City of Red Deer cannot control how much landlords charge for rent—that’s set by Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act. Rent control is provincial law, so the city has no authority to set prices.

However, the city can make renting more fair and transparent. One idea is a voluntary rental registry where landlords list each of their properties. This could include:

- Current rent charged
- Average rent for similar units
- Whether units are available or empty

For example, while the city reports a 1.6% vacancy rate, my building was 33% empty for months. Accurate reporting is essential. Landlords or property managers who don’t provide their information should still be listed, with a clear note that they have not reported and are not being transparent.

When tenants and the public can see this information, it can help make rents more reasonable. Landlords may be less likely to overcharge if everyone can compare prices and see real vacancies.

The city can also:

- Ensure rental units are safe and well-maintained through inspections
- Educate tenants and landlords about their rights and responsibilities
- Share public reports about landlords who ignore rules or maintenance standards
- Recognize responsible landlords to encourage better practices

By collecting and sharing this information in one place, the city can increase transparency and accountability in the rental market—all while staying within the law.