Age restricted condos in Alberta

The Alberta Human Rights Act protects Albertans from discrimination in certain areas based on specific personal characteristics. Goods, services, accommodation or facilities are areas where people are protected from discrimination regardless of race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status or sexual orientation. Everyone has a right to treatment free of discrimination when obtaining goods, services, accommodation or facilities customarily available to the public in Alberta. (Source: Alberta Human Rights Commission).

There are a host of age restricted apartment condo and townhouse complexes in Alberta. They can be 18+, 29+, 40+, 50+, 55+ and 60+. On January 1, 2018, age became a protected ground in the area of goods, services, accommodation or facilities. The only age restricted condos that will be allowed are seniors complexes, and the minimum age will be 55. Age restricted condos where the restriction was in place prior to January 1, 2018 are allowed, but they must either remove the age restriction, or convert to seniors only housing by December 31, 2032.

Purchase considerations

It is important to remember that by December 31, 2032, the age restriction in the building you may be interested in will be removed unless it is 55+ now. So, if you would prefer not living in a building or complex with young families, you need to do additional due diligence to see which way the board is leaning (remove age restriction, or make it 55+).

If you require a mortgage and are putting less than 20% down on the property, CMHC does not typically insure 55+ condos. The other two high ratio insurers will consider age restricted units on a case by case basis. If you require a mortgage and are considering an age restricted building, have a discussion with your lender or mortgage broker at the start of your home search so you are properly advised. 

Read the bylaws and any rules the complex may have regarding overnight guests who are younger than the age restriction. Many times they are allowed to stay, but there may be limitations on the number of nights in a year they can stay.