(Dreamstime)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Information and Privacy Commissioner offers advice for tenant-landlord privacy & access issues

Dec 13, 2023 | 5:42 PM

New guidance which addresses privacy and access issues for Alberta landlords and tenants was released Wednesday.

The advice comes straight from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) of Alberta.

“As Alberta’s rental market becomes increasingly competitive, this guidance will help ensure landlords and tenants alike remain aware of privacy and access to information responsibilities and rights under provincial law,” said Information and Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod.

“With the updates to this resource, we are also addressing emerging privacy concerns raised by the alleged over-collection of personal information and use of social media to screen prospective tenants. These concerns have been widely reported on in the media.”

Under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), Alberta’s private sector privacy law, landlords have obligations related to the collection, use, disclosure and protection of the personal information of tenants, including prospective tenants, it’s explained in a release.

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PIPA applies to any residential property owner who is renting out property, including property management businesses or an individual acting in a commercial capacity. Tenants also have privacy and access to information rights set out in PIPA, the office notes.

PIPA was enacted in 2004, and has since received several privacy complaints relating to landlord/tenant relationships.

Examples include alleged over-collection of financial information; inappropriate notices for collections on debt; concerns regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information for screening prospective tenants; and issues related to ensuring the accuracy of tenants’ personal information collected by landlords.

The ministries of Technology and Innovation as well as Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction assisted with the guidance released Wednesday.

The Landlord and Tenant FAQs are available on the OIPC website here.