Alberta home declared unfit for human habitation; AHS orders vacate and repairs
AHS ordered a home vacated after declaring it unfit for human habitation in November 2025, citing no running water, mice and exposed wiring.
Alberta Health Services records show an executive officer issued an order in November 2025 declaring the property unfit for human habitation. The order requires the residence to be vacated and secured until identified deficiencies are corrected to the satisfaction of AHS.
AHS issues executive officer’s order
Alberta Health Services (AHS) records state an executive officer’s order was served in November 2025 after an inspection of the property. The document names multiple safety and sanitation deficiencies and sets conditions for the property’s re-occupancy.
The order formally notifies the owner that the dwelling cannot be occupied while the listed hazards remain unaddressed. AHS retains authority to require the home be secured and remain vacant until remediation is verified.
Inspection findings detailed in records
The inspection noted a disconnected water supply that left the residence without running water for occupants or cleaning. Inspectors also documented evidence of mice, which can spread disease and contaminate living spaces.
Additional safety concerns included missing electrical covers and a range of unfinished repairs that together presented an immediate risk to health and safety. The record frames the combined issues as sufficient grounds to declare the structure unfit for human habitation.
Vacate and secure directive explained
The executive officer’s order instructs that the property be vacated and physically secured until the deficiencies are corrected. That instruction is intended to prevent further exposure of residents and neighbours to the identified hazards.
Securing the property typically means measures such as boarding access points, disabling utilities that pose danger, and ensuring no one remains living in the space. AHS will only permit re-occupation once inspectors confirm remediation meets required standards.
Health hazards and public risk
Loss of running water undermines basic hygiene, sanitation and the ability to prepare safe food, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal and other infections. Rodent infestations can introduce pathogens and exacerbate respiratory problems, particularly for vulnerable residents.
Exposed or incomplete electrical work raises the risk of shock and fire, compounding public-safety concerns inside the dwelling. Taken together, the listed conditions create overlapping hazards that public-health officials deemed intolerable for continued habitation.
Owner responsibilities and enforcement options
The order places responsibility on the property owner to complete repairs and remediate sanitation and pest issues to AHS’s satisfaction. Owners are generally expected to coordinate licensed contractors, pest control services and inspections to document that work has been completed.
If remediation is not carried out, AHS and municipal authorities can pursue enforcement measures, which may include further orders, fees, or legal action under provincial or local housing and public-health legislation. The records indicate remediation must be verified before the dwelling can be reoccupied.
Next steps for the property and residents
AHS will require a re-inspection to confirm that water service has been restored, pest control has been effective and electrical safety issues have been resolved. Only after inspectors are satisfied will the vacate-and-secure requirement be lifted and occupancy permitted again.
Residents displaced by the order may seek temporary accommodations while repairs are completed, and owners are expected to take prompt action to minimize disruption. The sequence of remediation, verification and re-occupancy is intended to ensure the home meets minimum health and safety standards before anyone returns.
The AHS order underscores the role of public-health inspections in enforcing safe housing conditions and protecting residents. Property owners must address water, pest and electrical hazards swiftly to meet AHS requirements and allow safe reoccupation of the home.
