Landlords, empty homes and cabins: who pays the power and gas in Alberta

The person whose name is on the account pays. Between tenants, the default supplier can bill the owner automatically. An empty or seasonal home still pays delivery charges. It may also face idle charges or reconnection fees. This is general information, not legal advice.

Who pays when a tenant has the account?

The tenant pays when the account is in the tenant’s name.

If the accounts are in the tenant name and the tenant defaults, the landlord is not held responsible for the charges billed to the tenant. The utility must collect from the person named on the account. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The owner is on the hook in a different case. That is when the account is in the owner’s name, or when no account exists.

The landlord gets a notice of pending disconnection only if the billing is in the landlord name. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Setting up accounts with a tenant

A landlord cannot apply for a tenant to register the utilities in the tenant name. The tenant must contact a retailer. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Landlords are advised to encourage tenants to set up services at least three days before move-in. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

For privacy reasons the landlord cannot receive billing information. The landlord cannot find out when the tenants ended service. No central body confirms whether someone is set up for billing. The lease can ask for proof of enrolment. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

What happens between tenants?

A tenant closes the account on the last day of the lease. If no one opens a new account, the home still has service. The bill has to go somewhere.

When a new tenant does not set up service, the property owner becomes responsible for all utility charges from the date the previous tenants closed their account. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The default supplier pulls the land title and enrols the property owner. It sends bills to the last known address of the owner. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

After the default supplier receives the charges from the meter reading company, it has up to 12 months to bill them to the property owner. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The default supplier named below states the same rule in its own terms.

Direct Energy Regulated Services says the account holder is responsible. If no tenant account is set up, it bills the property owner listed on the land title. Billing defaults to the owner until the tenant registers an account. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

A landlord agreement

You can decide in advance who is billed. Ask the default supplier for a Premise Vacancy Agreement, also called a Landlord Agreement.

This agreement lets a landlord decide what happens when no one is set up for billing. It moves service to the landlord or property manager automatically. It does not prevent disconnection for unpaid bills. It can take up to a week to take effect. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

For Direct Energy Regulated Services, the Premise Vacancy Agreement moves service responsibility back to the owner if a tenant leaves or does not set up service, provided the tenant account was properly cancelled. Its Premise Vacancy Agreement is valid for 2 years and must be renewed. Other retailers and distributors may set a different term. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Your other options

A landlord can set up service with a competitive retailer each time a tenant leaves, which needs a contract that may have an exit fee. A landlord can set up a Premise Vacancy Agreement. A landlord can also disconnect between tenants. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

During the winter months, retailers may choose not to disconnect services. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The owner may need to pay a reconnection fee. It may cost more than the monthly charges would have been. If gas service is disconnected for six or more months, an inspection may be required at the consumer cost. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Will I be told if my tenant falls behind?

Usually not. The utility deals with the account holder.

The utility is not required to tell the property owner about a disconnection for non-payment or give any warning, because of privacy law. The notice goes to the account holder, the tenant. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Only the default retailers can turn off electricity or gas for non-payment or when no one applies for service at the site. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

If the landlord later needs service reconnected, the landlord has to pay the reconnection fees. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

If you hold the account and the tenant pays you, you have one more route.

Where the lease has the tenant pay the landlord and the tenant has not kept the agreement, the landlord can try to recover unpaid costs through the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

What does the lease decide?

The lease sets who pays for what between you and your tenant. The utility deals only with the account holder.

The lease agreement sets who pays. The tenant may pay the retailer directly. The tenant may pay the landlord, who holds the account. The landlord may pay for all utilities. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

If the amount for utilities is fixed, the lease terms cannot change unless the tenant and landlord both agree. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

The Government of Alberta says what a written tenancy agreement should cover.

A residential tenancy agreement should be in writing and contain clauses about whether utilities, furniture, appliances, parking, etc. are provided and at whose expense. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Put the account arrangement in the lease in plain words. Say who opens the account, by which date, and what proof you may ask for.

Leaving a home empty for the winter

A vacant home that stays connected keeps billing.

An owner who moves but keeps the property is responsible for all monthly utility charges for the vacant location. These include transmission and distribution charges and local access fees. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Direct Energy Regulated Services says that if the property stays connected, charges may continue even when it is vacant and no energy is used. To stop billing, you must request a de-energize. It says idle charges generally apply only to rural electricity properties and are charged by the distributor. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Keep the heat on at a level that protects the pipes, and tell your home insurer that the home will be empty. Insurers set their own rules for vacant homes, so ask yours before the first cold week.

Winterize all pipes to prevent freezing. Unplug appliances no longer needed and empty fridges and freezers. Turn the thermostat down to a level that keeps a safe temperature. Seal gaps around windows and doors. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Read your bills as they come. Our high utility bill guide shows how to check a charge you do not expect.

Cabins and seasonal properties: keep, switch off or disconnect?

The Utilities Consumer Advocate lists the options for turning service off for a season. Each one costs something different.

Option 1: keep service and switch the breakers off

Turn breakers and water off at the main and leave the service running to the meter. This ends consumption. The owner still gets a monthly bill for non-energy costs such as transmission and distribution charges. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Option 2: disconnect at the meter

Contact the retailer to disconnect at the meter. The property may then be subject to idle billing charges. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Idle charges apply when the distributor has disconnected service at the site and no power is used. They maintain the existing infrastructure. They are more common for rural and seasonal properties. Not all distribution companies have them. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Rates depend on the distributor and where the property is. Idle charges often take several months to start. The first bill is likely higher than one month of idle billing. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

If natural gas has been disconnected for more than six months, a gas permit may be required before reconnection. A bonded and licensed contractor must first assess the gas line. The inspection can be costly and is the account holder cost. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Option 3: salvage the site

The owner can ask the distributor to salvage the equipment, which removes the meter, poles and lines. The site then has no access to the grid. It is a lengthy and costly process, usually done only when there are no plans to use electricity there again. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

How to choose

Compare the cost of idle charges and reconnection fees with the cost of turning off breakers and paying the non-energy costs each month. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Book reconnection appointments well in advance. It can often take several weeks to get one. Reconnection often has costs. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Who do I call?

Call the retailer on your bill for the account. Call the distributor about idle charges, disconnection at the meter and salvage. If a dispute goes unsolved, the advocate can help.

Call 310-4822 in Alberta, or 1-888-644-6608 from outside Alberta. (read 15 October 2026) [source]

Moving yourself? Our moving checklist covers the old and new address. To change plans at a home you occupy, see switching providers.

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