1. The Landlord Won't Provide a Written Lease
Any landlord who resists putting the tenancy in writing is a landlord whose commitments can't be enforced. Alberta law requires written tenancy agreements for most situations, and you're entitled to a copy. Verbal promises about repairs, included utilities, or rent freezes are worth nothing without documentation. Walk away from any landlord who insists on 'keeping it informal.'
2. Visible Mould or Water Stains
Check corners of ceilings, under bathroom sinks, around window frames, and in basement units along exterior walls. Water stains that have been painted over (you can often see the tide-marks through fresh paint) indicate recurring moisture problems. Mould remediation is expensive and disruptive — and in Alberta winters, buildings with inadequate vapour barriers and insulation create chronic condensation problems. If you see any signs of moisture, ask directly when it occurred and what was done to fix the source, not just the surface.
3. Pressure to Sign Immediately
'I have three other people looking at this tonight' is the rental equivalent of a high-pressure car dealership. Good landlords with well-priced properties don't need to pressure you. Legitimate demand doesn't require manufactured urgency. Take the time you need to review the lease, look up the landlord's name (search their name + the address on Google), and verify the unit is actually what they've advertised.
4. Heating System That's More Than 15–20 Years Old
In Alberta, where temperatures regularly hit -25°C to -35°C, heating failure is a serious habitability emergency. Ask about the furnace age and when it was last serviced. A furnace over 20 years old in a rental property is a risk — and some landlords use the tenant reporting period as their maintenance trigger rather than proactive servicing. Confirm there's a gas or electric backup.
5. Amenities That 'Will Be Fixed' Before You Move In
If the dishwasher is broken, the dryer doesn't dry properly, or a window doesn't open — and the landlord says 'we'll get that fixed before you move in' — get it in writing in the lease or an addendum. Without written documentation, verbal commitments about repairs are nearly impossible to enforce, and once you've moved in, your leverage drops significantly.
6. The Listing Photos Don't Match Reality
Wide-angle lens photography can make a 450 sq ft studio look palatial. If the photos show gleaming countertops and modern finishes but the actual unit shows dated laminate and contractor-grade appliances, ask yourself what else has been misrepresented. Measure rooms if you have furniture to fit — listed square footages can include unusable space like stairwells or furnace rooms.
7. Strange Smells
Musty smell = moisture or mould. Cigarette smoke permeated into drywall and carpet is almost impossible to remediate and is a Class 1 health irritant. Pet odour in carpet typically means the previous tenant's pet had accidents repeatedly — normal cleaning won't address it. Chemical or solvent smells in basement units can indicate industrial activity in the building or soil contamination. Trust your nose.
8. The Landlord Can't Prove They Own or Are Authorized to Rent the Property
Rental fraud exists in Alberta. The most common scam is listing a property the person doesn't own or control (they may be a tenant themselves who's trying to sublet without permission, or in extreme cases, they're listing someone else's property entirely). Ask to see proof of ownership (Land Titles document) or a property management authorization if they claim to be an agent. This sounds paranoid until you've paid first and last to someone who has no right to rent you anything.
9. No Move-In Inspection Process
A landlord who doesn't do a written move-in inspection with you, documenting the condition of every room and appliance, is setting the stage for a security deposit dispute when you leave. Protect yourself by insisting on a written inspection — and if they refuse, document every scratch, mark, and imperfection yourself on move-in day with timestamped photos, and email those photos to the landlord. That email creates a paper trail.
10. Windows That Don't Open or Inadequate Ventilation
In Alberta's climate with extreme temperature swings, windows that open properly are a quality-of-life necessity. Units with no cross-ventilation and windows that don't open become unbearably hot during July and August heat waves. Check all windows during the viewing and ask about air conditioning — central AC is becoming standard in new builds but is absent from most pre-2000 rentals.