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HOUSING: Landlord-tenant dispute resolution service now available in Calgary
        (AlbertaIndex, June 18, Wednesday) --- Landlords and tenants in Calgary will now be better able to settle disputes outside the courtroom, thanks to the launch of Alberta’s Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) in the city on Monday, June 16.
        Tenants and landlords wanting to resolve disputes about issues such as security deposits, rent arrears, evictions and damages can have the matter heard by a tenancy dispute officer.

The fee for the service is $75. The decision by the tenancy dispute officer is binding on both parties.

RTDRS began as a year-long pilot project in Edmonton in 2006, the result of a review of the Residential Tenancies Act. The service became permanent in June 2007 and its success led to expansion into Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray and northern Alberta.

Since the pilot began, the RTDRS has handled 6,800 cases and helped reduce court time in Edmonton Provincial Court from two days per week to one day per month.

Service Alberta Minister Heather Klimchuk said: “This program is a proven success in helping tenants and landlords settle disputes without going through an expensive and time-consuming legal process. It will be a great resource for Calgarians.

 “The service is less expensive, less formal and faster than the regular court process. It has a great track record and we’ll be making the service available province-wide by 2010.”

The Calgary RTDRS office is located on the main floor of the Rocky Mountain Plaza, 230 - 7th Avenue SE. Its contact number is 780-644-3000.

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