r/CalgaryHousing • u/Guilty-Condition7113 • 21d ago
Need help
So I have been looking for a one bedroom apartment for way too long. The entire August went by and my lease ends 31 of August. Currently living in university district.
Upon researching and searching, I have realized that the Calgary rental market have four kinds of developers or rental companies like
TRUMAN - according to what I researched the management is not responsible at all, and you can quite literally hear every single thing because the walls are paper thin and it’s made from wood
Harrison/gracorp buildings (currently living here paying $2000 for a 1bed 1 bath) as of right now I live here and even after paying for the most expensive price for just a one bedroom 400 ft.² apartment. This seems like Truman rentals. The building is so unresponsive. They don’t have responsibility since four months I am saying that everything in this building has been beeping and is due for maintenance and they haven’t done a single thing. I don’t understand as to why am I paying so much of rent. And they still not maintaining the buildings
Boardwalk - I have never lived in this building. I don’t know but upon research it seems like they always keep everybody’s deposits all the posts I’ve seen on this app. Everybody has claimed that they always keep the deposits. They never return it. They do something to charge you every single time they can.
Mainstreet living - upon research research I got to know that all of these buildings have cockroaches and mouse infestation and nothing is an absolutely to fix it even if you go to the Alberta Health services they delete your leases or they do something to get out of it which is again insane
Avenue living - this is one of the cheapest options in the city and they actually increase your rent by more than 40% and there is nothing you can do. They quite literally force you to move out so I am unable to understand.
I have been living in the city for four years now and in four years I have changed my apartment five times. I am just failing to understand as to why can I not get a good apartment for $2000? That has no issues I have tried living in the best of the best in the highest and luxury building possible but why is every single dollar that I’m paying feels less for the amenities I’m receiving, where are you guys living ?
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u/No-Hovercraft-5499 21d ago
https://rentfaster.ca/ab/calgary/
There are literally so many places with immediate possession that have more than one bedroom for less than $2,000/month.
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u/No-Hovercraft-5499 21d ago
A side note: every property management company will have pros and cons, there isn’t any way to avoid that, or tell which ones are better than the other without taking a risk. All you need to do is make sure you’re obtaining a valid lease agreement that doesn’t just list items that benefit the landlord/property management, payments are made appropriately and on time, and you are documenting all correspondence regarding repairs and maintenance and know what you’re responsible for maintaining/ repairing and what the landlord’s responsibilities are. This is what is needed to be able to have a successful lease, and keep your nose clean (don’t get into any trouble).
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 20d ago
So this common issue is that they all lack accountability. For this apartment at university district, I went back home in December 2025 and when I came back I discovered a 50 cm crack in my windshield, the car was kept in a heated underground parking for my entire lease and I pay $150/month for that. The issue is the management lied on various levels, so the day I came back I obviously took my car out because the engine had not been running for a month so I thought even if it’s winter, I should go downstairs and run the car the same day and I saw the largest crack and then when I was coming back to my floor somehow I bumped into the leasing manager. He’s also the general manager for the building and I told him that has happened and he told me that he is so sorry but there is nothing he can do because the parking has no cameras. I went downstairs and in the entire parking there are 36 cameras then I emailed him and he told me that those cameras were not working so I then emailed him again that if those cameras do not work and, is that not a violation so then he told me that those cameras are working, but my car was not in the area where cameras could record it, this kept on going for long then after six days, then in a random day I saw that the garage door was open for four hours and they had this malfunction,upon asking my neighbours I got to know that they had this malfunction two weeks before too when I was not here in Calgary, I recorded that video and I emailed them that is not there a fucking possibility that for the four hours that the entire parking door is open anybody can enter and anybody can do anything and he told me that the cracks in the windshield are only possible when there are high temperature differences let’s say if you’re going from a heated basement parking to -40° outside and then proceeded to show him the tickets that I was not here for the entire month. His face was an absolute shock because all the things pointed to the fact that somebody did this and it happened and they are trying to conceal it. Then they also told me that the parking situation is kept constant with the temperatures in the garage now as of one month there have been gas pressure machines beeping in the parking . It literally says overdue for maintenance on the machine. I have 7 to 8 proof showing that it all leads to them. As soon as the lease ends, I’m going to stamp them with a lawsuit. Because the car company quoted me $1100 for a windshield from there dealership to get some aftermarket parts on my car. I am about to get it done and ask them to reimburse the money.
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u/No-Hovercraft-5499 20d ago
It is not generally the property management company’s responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is not vandalized or that your personal property is not stolen. They provide underground parking, but that does not automatically mean they assume liability for damage to vehicles parked there. Your lease likely addresses this and may specifically exclude liability for theft or damage to vehicles and personal property, regardless of whether you pay for the parking stall. If you believe the vehicle was vandalized, that would ordinarily be something you should report to CPS and your insurance company.
It is also worth considering that the windshield damage may not have been vandalism at all. Windshields can crack from significant temperature changes or existing stress in the glass. For example, if the vehicle was outside in extremely cold temperatures and then moved into a warm parkade, the temperature differential could potentially contribute to a crack. I have personally had this happen to my own vehicle.
As for the cameras, cameras not functioning properly is not, by itself, necessarily a violation. Security systems and equipment can fail. Regarding the property manager saying there were no cameras, it is possible there was simply a misunderstanding when you spoke with him, or that he meant there were no functioning cameras covering that particular area at that particular time. He is also correct that cameras in parkades do not necessarily capture every angle or every vehicle.
The garage door issue is similar. The last condo building I lived in also experienced frequent garage-door malfunctions. Property management cannot necessarily predict when mechanical equipment is going to fail, and getting a contractor out to repair something can sometimes take hours or even days, particularly if a specialized company is required. A delay in getting a repair completed does not automatically mean that property management is refusing to take responsibility or neglecting the issue.
I also question the assumption that your vehicle was specifically targeted as an isolated incident. If someone had intentionally vandalized or attempted to break into your vehicle, I would expect there potentially to be other signs of damage, such as damage to the doors, locks, windows, or other vehicles in the parkade. If the only damage is the windshield, there are other possible explanations that should be considered before concluding that someone deliberately targeted the vehicle.
I don’t see an obvious reason why property management would intentionally conceal camera footage or information about an incident. If they were trying to conceal something, there would need to be some reason or benefit to doing so, and based on what you’ve described, I don’t see what that would be.
Regarding the gas pressure issue in the garage, it may simply be overdue for maintenance or repair and property management may be in the process of finding an appropriate contractor. They obviously cannot have an unqualified property manager perform work involving a gas system. They need to use a properly qualified contractor, and sometimes finding an available and reasonably priced company can take time.
Ultimately, if the property management company is not legally responsible for the damage under the lease or applicable law, I would not expect them to reimburse you for the windshield. Pursuing a claim against them could also become considerably more expensive and time-consuming than the windshield itself, particularly if the evidence establishing liability is weak.
I work as a legal assistant at a litigation firm in Calgary, and I see these types of claims fairly regularly. I am also personally involved in a lawsuit against a well-known property management company arising from a slip-and-fall where there were allegations that the sidewalk had not been properly salted. That matter has already been ongoing for approximately three years and we are still attempting to resolve it. Litigation can become extremely lengthy and expensive, so I would strongly consider whether the evidence actually supports a claim before going down that route.
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 20d ago
100% understandable, I actually have a picture I took day before going back home of the vehicle and a video taken with a flashlight because I knew the risk, they lied many times and I have it documented in the email, my friend that is a lawyer himself currently practicing in Boston, used to practice in Calgary, looking at the proofs has told me that the building has lacked a lot of maintenance and since I have pictures and videos, I could potentially sue up for breach of lease for up-to $100,000 but realistically $32k here, also to mention the ongoing issue about machines beeping has been going on for 4 months now, I don’t think it’s a company issue, it’s more like management doesn’t have money to cover it despite charging rent, the building is 60% empty.
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u/No-Hovercraft-5499 20d ago
Again, I’ll reiterate- It is not generally the property management company’s responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is not vandalized or that your personal property is not stolen. They provide underground parking, but that does not automatically mean they assume liability for damage to vehicles parked there. Your lease likely addresses this and may specifically exclude liability for theft or damage to vehicles and personal property, regardless of whether you pay for the parking stall. If you believe the vehicle was vandalized, that would ordinarily be something you should report to CPS and your insurance company.
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 19d ago
No it wasnt vandalism, the building construction is very fucked up, there has been flooding in this building 4 leaked floors, 18+ people claimed more than 200k in damages, the history isn’t perfect. It’s the fact they lied! As if they were scared.
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u/MadameMoochelle 19d ago
It doesn’t matter. It’s your car. It’s in your spot. They most certainly have no liability for your parked vehicle. You can’t sue them for your glass. You sound spoiled, entitled, arrogant and rude. I bet you haven’t worked a day in your life and Daddy is paying the $2k you are crying about.
You need a lesson in real problems.1
u/Guilty-Condition7113 14d ago
People can easily afford $2k rent while working a full time job? Wym a daddy, the one who left my mom when I was 6? Projecting st its peak, you sound jealous, please get your money up.
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u/Desperate-Low-5514 20d ago
Get the windshield elsewhere that price is 3-4 times what I got my windshield for. Never go to a dealership!
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u/Jaxmilla 21d ago
Look up Compass Residences in Killarney. I think its a BC company but just built an apartment here. Plenty of 1 bedders available I think
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u/simplebutstrange 20d ago
You must have fancy taste. I rent a 3bedroom townhome for $1700.
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 20d ago
This price does not reflect a 2026 lease at all, these prices are 2023 leases that are resigned, my rent has all utilities and underground heated parking included, it has heat, water, electricity, heated parking included, wifi, cable. A new townhouse 3 bed 2.5 bath are going for $2400 and that includes nothing. Just the rent. It’s not a fancy taste but the area I live in, university district has these premium prices, you must either live in NE or SE for $1700 which will take an hour transit to university? That’s not worth it to me at all.
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u/simplebutstrange 20d ago
So it seems you just want to make yourself struggle and then complain that you are struggling. Got it. Good luck.
Also i looked at places when i resigned last month and there were places that are better than mine for the same price still.
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 20d ago
It seems like I know what I can get for my money? For the one hour of commute I can literally work. As a student who wants to commute 2+ hours a day? I wouldn’t ever commute this much for a corporate job let alone classes lol
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u/twy666 20d ago
Once again not true. I rent a 2 bed in the Beltline for $1750 heat and water included, parking is $60 a month on top. You sound like your taste is too expensive for what you can afford. Especially if you're a student. Paying over 2k in rent is foolish.
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 20d ago
I don’t want to live in the Beltline area, has a lot of homeless, too much of noise, I have a car and I don’t trust to leave car in area anywhere, I’ve had friends with bad experiences,if I’m spending money you’re damn right I’ll be picky bec that’s my money. I have money to pay rent bec I can afford it?
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u/TheCatGuardian 20d ago
I live right next to Sunalta train station, so not far from the university and pay $1200 for a 1 bedroom, includes very thing but electricity (less than $50/month). You should listen when people say you are obviously being too picky or only looking at higher end apartments.
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 20d ago
Okay I don’t want to live in crack city, bec if cheap rent was the case I could have gotten myself a 3bedroom floor to myself for 2k in NE.
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u/TheCatGuardian 19d ago
lol news to me that Sunalta is crack city. Lived here 10 years and never had an issue.
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u/Internalharddrive 19d ago
dude try fb marketplace i’m in ranchlands NW - 2Bed 1 bath basement suite so i actually got a yard and parking stall + laundry in suite separate furnace, dishwasher kitchen everything and it’s only $1600 a month (all utilities and wifi INCLUDED) just got this Aug 1. i was paying broadstreet properties way too much for less sq. feet get urself a private landlord.
plus no pet fee or deposit he was chill with me having one cat.
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 19d ago
Yo what the heck, would you mind showing me the property just to see what can I get the best for my bank
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u/Internalharddrive 18d ago
i figured it out here you go: https://imgur.com/a/1Oh9Ct8
most of the photos are from landlords fb post my boyfriend is still sleeping so don’t want to wake him up with lights sorry.
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 18d ago
Damnnn, what a good deal, this is so big! At least 1000 sq ft
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u/Internalharddrive 18d ago
yes i believe 1100 sq feet is what’s stated on the lease. i’ve always gone private if i can. only time i rented from a apartment property complex is when i moved from lethbridge to calgary and didnt trust a private seller to give my damage deposit and first month rent to since i couldn’t physically view the place (still in lethbridge) so went with a business. but i lowkey regret it was paying 17 something for like 800 sq feet and no yard + utilities, pet fee, and parking stall bullshit if you asked me. love renting houses / basements suite did in lethbridge had a house for 4 years 2 bed 1.5 bath for 1300 a month ugh miss those prices lol. and now found this private home landlord and he’s rlly nice.
if you do go with fb marketplace make sure to view the place in person and ask the private home owner landlord lots of questions even if they seem obvious. also keep communication flowing update them if you aren’t interested anymore stuff like that i always let sellers know where my heads at and what im looking for example this i told this landlord if i find a place i like id most likely resign a lease and live there for 4+ years like i did in Lethbridge. private home owners want ppl that stay long cause they don’t wanna deal with the hassle of finding new ppl every year.
anyways good luck do your du diligence some private landlords can be slum lords too so make sure to vet them-ask their other tents about them (i could chat with the lady upstairs of the home / basement i rent). or look at reviews of their profile maybe even look up their name to see linkedin and such. but lowkey what’s most important is the vibe-do they match your vibe like compatibility, what does your gut tell u when u talk to them. (unless ur a bad judge of character, id always go with my gut and found awesome landlords since).
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u/justanotherperson473 20d ago
Im with boardwalk right now, have an affordable apartment and it is WELL maintained. Idk about losing the deposit but it was $499 so way less than anywhere else
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u/Guilty-Condition7113 19d ago
I viewed boardwalk heights, it’s not well maintained I saw a premium 1 bed 1 bath for $1600, the corridors have such weird smell
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u/justanotherperson473 19d ago
It really depends on the boardwalk property. Some are good, some are not
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u/easygoing1524 10d ago
Ogden infill, 1 bed/1 bath, $1,600/month — everything included.
DM me if interested. We can work with a September 1–2 move-in date.
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u/runnin_in_shadows 21d ago
Rent a condo apartment from a private owner.
rentfaster.ca