RTDR0001 – Declaration in Support of Abridgement of Service

Jurisdiction: Country: Canada | Province/State: Alberta

What is an RTDR0001 – Declaration in Support of Abridgement of Service?

This form is a sworn statement you file with the Alberta Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS). You use it to ask a Tenancy Dispute Officer to shorten the usual service timelines, or to permit an alternative way to serve documents. In short, it tells the officer why standard service is not possible and why time is critical.

In Alberta RTDRS matters, you normally must serve the respondent with your application and evidence within set timelines before the hearing. Sometimes, service cannot be done in time. A respondent may be evading service. You may not know their current address. You may face an urgent situation where harm will occur if you wait. The RTDR0001 lets you explain these facts and request an order that shortens the time to serve or authorizes a different method.

The form is a declaration. You swear or affirm that the information is true. You sign it in front of a Commissioner for Oaths or a Notary Public in Alberta. You then file it with RTDRS, typically along with your application or soon after your hearing is scheduled.

Who typically uses this form?

Both landlords and tenants use it. So do property managers, agents, and lawyers acting for either side. Landlords often use it when a tenant cannot be found, is avoiding contact, or an urgent risk exists at the property. Tenants use it for urgent issues such as illegal lockouts, imminent utility cut-offs, or safety concerns. Anyone who files an RTDRS application and cannot meet the usual service rules may need it.

Why might you need this form?

Because the RTDRS must ensure fairness, the respondent still needs a chance to know about the case and attend. But sometimes strict service rules would cause harm or make the process unworkable. The RTDR0001 gives the officer the facts needed to balance fairness with urgency. You explain what you did to locate and serve the other side. You outline the risks if timelines are not shortened. You propose a practical plan for service that still gives the respondent reasonable notice.

Typical usage scenarios include situations where you know the respondent checks email daily but refuses to answer the door. You may ask to serve by email and shorten the timeline to 24 hours. Another common scenario is when the hearing is scheduled soon, and courier delays mean you cannot meet the usual deadline. You may ask to serve by posting to the door and email, with a brief, reduced timeframe. Tenants may use it when the landlord threatens an immediate lock change or has already locked them out. In that case, you may request same-day or next-day service by phone and email, supported by photos and texts. You might also use it when the respondent is out of province, has an unknown address, or resides in a controlled-access building you cannot enter. You explain the barriers and provide evidence of attempts to serve.

The RTDR0001 is not the same as your proof of service. After you serve documents in the manner the officer approves, you still complete and file a separate declaration of service. The abridgement form supports your request to change the service rules. It does not replace your duty to serve or provide service.

When Would You Use an RTDR0001 – Declaration in Support of Abridgement of Service?

You use this form when you cannot meet the standard service timelines or methods, and waiting would cause unfairness, risk, or harm. The most common moment is right after you receive your hearing date and realize the usual service window is too short. For example, your hearing is in a few days, and the respondent’s address is uncertain. You need permission to serve by email and a shorter deadline.

Landlords often use it when a tenant has moved without notice and left no forwarding address. If you have an urgent claim for rent arrears, property damage, or urgent access to the unit, you may request service by email, phone, or posting to the last known address. You show you tried standard methods and why they failed. You also explain why waiting for traditional service would cause loss, safety issues, or further damage.

Tenants frequently need it when they face immediate harm. If a landlord has cut essential services, threatens a lockout, or refuses urgent repairs, you may need a hearing quickly and cannot meet the regular service timeline. You would explain the urgency and ask to shorten the service period. You might propose email service or hand delivery to the landlord’s business office. You provide utility notices, texts, or photos to support the risk.

Property managers and agents use it when service on multiple respondents is complex. For a joint tenancy, each tenant must be served. If one tenant can be reached but another cannot, you explain your efforts for each person. You then propose a tailored plan, such as email for one and posting for the other, with a reduced timeline that still allows attendance.

You may also use the form when the respondent is actively evading service. If they refuse to answer the door, hide in a gated building, or change phone numbers, the RTDR0001 lets you lay out those facts. The officer can then authorize an alternative method that is reasonably likely to reach them, such as email, text, or posting.

In rare cases, you might ask for an abridgement before you even get a regular hearing date. This can occur with emergencies where immediate relief is needed. You explain the risk and your plan to notify the respondent as quickly as possible.

Legal Characteristics of the RTDR0001 – Declaration in Support of Abridgement of Service

The RTDR0001 is a sworn declaration filed within the RTDRS process. It is not an order. It is your evidence, under oath or solemn affirmation, that supports a procedural request. Because you sign it before a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public, your statements carry legal weight. False statements can have consequences. That duty of truthfulness is what gives the declaration its evidentiary value.

The abridgement decision itself is made by a Tenancy Dispute Officer under the RTDRS’s authority. The officer may shorten the time for service or permit a different method of service when fairness and practicality require it. The officer does this to maintain the right of both parties to be heard while avoiding prejudice caused by delay or impossible service requirements.

What ensures enforceability?

Two things. First, the declaration’s content gives the officer a factual basis to make a lawful procedural direction. Second, once the officer makes a direction or order on service, you must follow it exactly. If you do, service is legally effective, even if it would not meet the usual rules. If you do not, you risk an adjournment or dismissal, or the officer may refuse to accept your proof of service.

The declaration is part of the official record. It informs the officer’s decision and may be reviewed during or after the hearing if service is challenged. The officer looks for credibility, specific details of attempts made, and evidence showing that your proposed service method is reasonably likely to reach the respondent. The officer also considers fairness. Shortening timelines should not strip the respondent of a meaningful chance to prepare. Your plan should reflect that balance by proposing a realistic window and clear delivery channels.

General legal considerations include the need to address each named respondent, use the respondent’s last known contact details, and show diligence in trying permitted methods before requesting alternatives. You should attach proof of your efforts. You should also stand ready to serve immediately if the officer grants your request. An abridged timeline leaves little room for delay.

How to Fill Out an RTDR0001 – Declaration in Support of Abridgement of Service

Follow these steps to complete the form correctly and improve your chances of approval.

1) Confirm your need for abridgement.

• Identify the standard service deadline for your hearing. Check the date and count the required days. Determine if you can meet it with ordinary methods. If not, abridgement is likely required.
• Decide whether you also need an alternative service (email, text, posting, or serving an agent). You can request both shortened time and alternative methods in the same declaration.

2) Gather your facts and proof.

• Collect all details of your attempts to serve. Note dates, times, locations, methods, and outcomes. Include screenshots of emails, texts, and messaging apps. Keep the courier and mail tracking pages. Save call logs and voicemail records. Keep process server notes or invoices.
• If your request is driven by urgency, gather proof of the risk. This may include utility disconnection notices, photos of damage, police file references, repair reports, or written threats. The officer needs specifics, not general claims.

3) Identify the parties.

• List the full legal name of the applicant (you) and each respondent. If a business is a party, use its legal name. If you are a property manager or agent, state your role and authority to act.
• For multiple respondents, prepare to address service for each person. The officer wants to see how each will be served and by when.

4) Fill in your case and hearing details.

• Add your RTDRS file number if assigned. Include the hearing date, time, and format (phone or video if noted).
• State the standard service deadline and why it cannot be met. Use clear dates. For example, “Hearing is on March 12 at 9:00 a.m. The standard deadline is March 8. Courier delays mean the earliest delivery is March 10.”

5) Explain your service attempts to date.

• Give a short, chronological summary of what you tried. Keep sentences specific and factual. Example: “On Feb 28 at 6:45 p.m., I attended 101 Main Street, buzzer 302. No answer. I returned on Mar 1 at 7:10 a.m. and 7:25 p.m. No answer. I placed a delivery notice. I received a text from the respondent on Mar 1 at 8:02 p.m. confirming they live there. Screenshot attached as Exhibit B.”
• Include alternate contact attempts. Mention emails sent, phone calls made, and any replies. If you know the respondent uses a specific email or number, say how you know.

6) Describe the urgency or prejudice.

• Explain what harm will occur without abridgement. Use plain facts. “The unit has no heat. Temperature is below freezing.” “Water leak is damaging the ceiling of the unit below.” “The landlord has posted a lock change notice for tomorrow.”
• Tie the urgency to your requested timeline. Show why you need a shortened period and how it still allows the respondent a fair chance to attend.

7) State exactly what you are asking for.

• Be precise. Ask to shorten the service timeline to a specific date and time. For example, “I request that the service deadline be abridged to 12:00 p.m. on March 10.”
• If you need an alternative service, describe the method and addresses. For example, “Service by email to tenantname@example.com and by posting to the door of Unit 302 at 101 Main Street.”
• If there are multiple respondents, outline the method for each. The officer may give different directions to different people.

8) Justify why your proposed method will reach the respondent.

• Explain how you know the email, phone number, or address is used by the respondent. Mention recent messages, rent receipts showing the address, or photos confirming occupancy.
• If posting to a door, add a plan to take photos with timestamps. If emailing, attach a sent-email copy and plan for a read receipt if possible.

9) Refer to and attach exhibits.

• Label your attachments clearly: Exhibit A, Exhibit B, and so on. Include descriptive titles, such as “Exhibit A – Canada Post Tracking,” “Exhibit B – Text Messages Feb 27–Mar 2,” “Exhibit C – Photos of Posted Notice.”
• Put your RTDRS file number on each exhibit page. Number pages in each exhibit set.

10) Complete the declaration statement.

• The form includes a declaration section where you affirm the truth of your statements. Read it carefully. Ensure your facts are accurate and complete.
• Do not sign yet. You must sign in front of a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public in Alberta. Bring photo ID.

11) Sign and commission the declaration.

• Arrange a meeting with a Commissioner or Notary. Many registries and law offices offer this service. You may also find one at your municipal office.
• Sign the declaration in their presence. They will complete the commissioning section, noting the date and location, and affixing their stamp or seal.
• If you cannot attend in person, contact the commissioning office to confirm if remote commissioning is available and acceptable for RTDRS filings. Follow their instructions exactly.

12) File the declaration with RTDRS.

• Submit the completed RTDR0001 to RTDRS as soon as possible. Include your exhibits. If you already filed your application, include the file number and hearing details.
• If your hearing is imminent, alert RTDRS that an abridgement request is pending. Prompt filing increases the chance that the officer can review it in time.

13) Serve the declaration if directed.

• Sometimes the officer may ask you to provide the declaration to the respondent when serving the application. Follow any directions given.
• Keep a record of when and how you send the filed declaration.

14) Await the officer’s direction or order.

• The officer may grant abridgement on the record in advance of the hearing or at the start of the hearing. Monitor your email and phone for instructions.
• Once you receive directions, act immediately. Abridged service windows are short.

15) Serve in the approved way and prove it.

• Serve the other side using the method and deadline set by the officer. Take photos or screenshots as you do it. Keep courier receipts and email headers.
• After service, complete and file the separate declaration of service. This proves you complied with the abridged or alternative service order.

Practical tips to improve your form

• Be specific with dates, times, and methods. Vague statements like “I tried a few times” are weak. Replace with “I attended on Mar 3 at 7:45 a.m., 12:10 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. No answer. I left a business card each time.”

• Show fairness in your ask. If you request a very short timeline, explain how the respondent will still be able to attend. For example, “The respondent communicates quickly by email. They replied to my message yesterday within 30 minutes.”

• Address each respondent. If there are two tenants, service on one does not cover both. Outline your plan for each person and support it with evidence.

• Confirm current contact details. If you rely on an email or phone number, show that it is recent. Provide a recent message or rent receipt.

• Keep your request focused. Ask for only what you need. If email service alone is sufficient and reliable, do not stack unnecessary methods.

• Avoid assumptions. If you do not know where the respondent lives now, say so. Show your attempts to locate them. Propose a method that still reaches them, such as serving a known email and posting at the last known address.

• Prepare for questions. The officer may ask for more details at the hearing. Bring copies of all exhibits and be ready to describe your attempts.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving out the hearing date or standard service deadline. The officer needs those points to assess urgency.

• Forgetting to commission the declaration. An unsigned or uncommissioned declaration may be rejected.

• Mixing the abridgement request with your merits evidence in a confusing way. Keep the declaration focused on service facts and urgency. Attach only what supports service and timing.

• Failing to act quickly after approval. If you do not serve within the abridged window, the benefit is lost and you may face an adjournment.

• Assuming this form replaces proof of service. It does not. You still must serve and file a declaration of service showing compliance.

Real-world example

You are a landlord. Your hearing is on April 18. Standard service requires you to serve by April 14. You tried personal service on April 10 and 11. No answer at the door. You sent an email to the tenant’s usual address, which they replied to on April 11 about another matter. Courier cannot deliver until April 15. You completed RTDR0001 on April 12. You explain your attempts, attach the courier delay notice and the email thread, and request abridgement to allow service by email and posting to the door, with a new deadline of April 16 at noon. The officer approves the request. You post to the door, email the documents, take photos, and file your declaration of service. The hearing proceeds.

Another example:

You are a tenant. The landlord has shut off the heat in winter, and a pipe is leaking. Your hearing is set for three days. You cannot meet the standard service deadline. You complete RTDR0001. You attach photos of the leak, a video of the thermostat, and a text where the landlord admits the heat is off. You request a same-day service deadline and permission to serve by email and hand delivery to the landlord’s office. The officer permits a shortened timeline. You serve that day and file your proof.

If you follow the steps above, keep your facts tight, and propose a fair plan, your RTDR0001 will give the officer what they need to decide quickly. Your goal is simple: show your diligence, explain the risk, and present a practical way to get notice to the other side in time for a fair hearing.

Legal Terms You Might Encounter

• Abridgement of service means shortening the normal time you must give the other side to receive your documents. In RTDR0001 – Declaration in Support of Abridgement of Service, you explain why you want less time and how that still treats the other side fairly. You also show what you have done to serve them already.
• Service is the act of delivering documents to the other side. The RTDR0001 focuses on the time allowed for service, not the method. Your declaration should show when and how you attempted service, and what happened each time.
• Alternative or substitutional service is a different way to deliver documents when normal methods fail. RTDR0001 is not a direct request for alternative service, but you often discuss unsuccessful attempts and why time is tight. That context can support a related request if you make one separately.
• Declaration is a written statement of facts you swear or affirm are true. In RTDR0001, you are the one declaring. Your words must be accurate and complete. You accept legal responsibility for what you sign.
• Deponent is the person making the declaration. If you file RTDR0001, you are the deponent. If someone else with first-hand knowledge signs for you, they are the deponent. Make sure the deponent saw or did the things described.
• Applicant is the party who started the tenancy application. If you filed the original claim, you are the applicant. RTDR0001 helps your application move forward on a shorter timeline.
• Respondent is the party who must answer your application. RTDR0001 affects how quickly they must receive your documents. You should explain how the abridged time still gives them a fair chance to respond.
• Prejudice means unfair harm or disadvantage. In RTDR0001, you explain the harm to you if service timelines are not shortened. You should also address how your request will not unfairly harm the respondent.
• Urgency is the reason the matter needs faster movement. In RTDR0001, you describe specific facts that show urgency. Give dates, deadlines, safety issues, or risk of loss. Be concrete, not general.
• Proof of service is evidence that the other side received the documents. RTDR0001 focuses on time, but your proof of service supports your request. Keep logs, screenshots, or delivery confirmations, and summarize them in your declaration.
• A hearing officer is the decision-maker who reviews your RTDR0001. They assess whether shortening the timeline is fair. Clear, factual detail helps them decide quickly.

FAQs

Do you need to file RTDR0001 before serving the respondent?

You file RTDR0001 when you want permission to serve with less notice than usual. If time is short or the hearing is near, file it as soon as you see the problem. Do not wait for the deadline to pass. Your goal is to show you have acted promptly and reasonably.

Do you have to prove you tried to serve the respondent first?

Yes. Your declaration should list all attempts, with dates, times, locations, and methods. Include outcome details such as “no answer,” “call declined,” or “email bounced.” If your first attempt failed, explain what you changed next. This shows you used practical efforts before asking to shorten the time.

Do you need the respondent’s consent to get abridgement of service?

No. Consent is helpful but not required. If you asked for consent, state when and how the respondent replied. If they agreed, attach that proof. If they did not respond, say so and show your follow-up attempts.

Do you include the hearing date in RTDR0001?

Yes. You should identify the scheduled hearing date and time. Then explain why the standard service timeline does not work in your case. Tie your reasons to that date. For example, you may risk financial loss or safety concerns if you wait.

Do you file RTDR0001 with your main application or later?

You can file it with your application if you foresee service challenges or tight timelines. You can also file it later if circumstances change. If you filed the application already, include your file number and any new facts that support abridgement.

Do you need to attach evidence to RTDR0001?

Attach relevant, concise evidence. Good attachments include delivery receipts, emails, text screenshots, process server logs, photos of posted notices, and notes of phone calls. Label attachments clearly. Refer to them in your declaration by date and description.

Does the RTDRS decide abridgement on the written record, or is there a separate hearing?

The decision can be made on the written record or at the start of a hearing. Prepare as if the officer will rely on your declaration alone. Be complete, clear, and factual so the record supports the decision without more questions.

What if your RTDR0001 is denied?

If denied, the standard service timelines apply. Your hearing may proceed on the original date, be rescheduled, or require you to complete the service again. Keep serving the respondent using standard methods unless told otherwise. Update your proof of service so the record stays clean.

Checklist: Before, During, and After the RTDR0001 – Declaration in Support of Abridgement of Service

Before signing

• Confirm your file number, parties’ names, and contact details.
• List each respondent’s full legal name and best-known address, email, and phone numbers.
• Gather a timeline of service attempts with dates, times, addresses, and outcomes.
• Collect evidence: delivery confirmations, courier receipts, email bounce-backs, text screenshots, call logs, server affidavits, and photos of posted notices.
• Note the hearing date and time, and any deadlines the tribunal has set.
• Write a short, concrete urgency statement. Focus on facts, dates, and specific risks.
• Identify any consent from the respondent. Save proof of it.
• Confirm what you are asking the tribunal to do. State the abridged timeline you seek.
• Check if a witness or commissioner is required by the form. Arrange one if needed.
• Prepare a list of attachments and label them for easy reference.

During signing

• Verify that the applicant and respondent names match your main application.
• Confirm your file number appears on every page that requires it.
• Review your reasons for abridgement. Make sure they show urgency and fairness.
• Check the service timeline you propose. Ensure it fits the hearing date.
• Cross-check dates in your narrative against your attachments.
• Make sure your contact information is current and legible.
• Ensure the declaration statement is complete and in the correct place.
• Sign and date the form in the proper spot. Initial any changes.
• If a witness or commissioner is required, sign in their presence and confirm their details are correct.
• Attach exhibits in order. Reference each exhibit in your text.

After signing

• Make a complete copy set for your records. Include all attachments.
• File RTDR0001 with the tribunal promptly. Use the accepted submission method.
• Note the time you filed and keep the confirmation.
• If directed, provide a copy to the respondent. Keep proof of that delivery.
• Monitor for the decision. Check your messages and account frequently.
• If granted, follow the order precisely. Serve documents within the shortened time and by the approved method.
• If denied, continue with standard service rules. Adjust your hearing plan if rescheduled.
• Update your proof of service. Keep it organized for the hearing.
• Store your original signed declaration securely until the file closes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid RTDR0001 – Declaration in Support of Abridgement of Service

• Don’t forget to explain why time is critical. A bare statement like “urgent” will not convince the officer. Consequence: your request may be denied for lack of detail. Spell out dates, risks, and what happens if time is not shortened.
• Don’t leave out your service attempts. Vague claims such as “I tried to serve them” carry little weight. Consequence: the officer may find you did not act reasonably. Provide dates, times, methods, and outcomes for each attempt.
• Don’t propose an unrealistic timeline. Asking for same-day service without a reason can appear unfair. Consequence: the officer may refuse abridgement or set a different timeline. Align your request with practical delivery steps.
• Don’t mismatch your narrative and your exhibits. If your declaration says “emailed on Monday,” but the screenshot shows Tuesday, it undermines your credibility. Consequence: reduced trust and a higher chance of refusal. Double-check every date.
• Don’t sign incorrectly. Signing without a required witness or commissioner, if the form needs one, can invalidate the declaration. Consequence: delays and refilling. Confirm the signing requirements before you sign.

What to Do After Filling Out the Form RTDR0001 – Declaration in Support of Abridgement of Service

1. File your declaration right away. The value of RTDR0001 depends on timing. Submit it as soon as you know the standard timeline will not work. Include your file number and all attachments.
2. Watch for instructions. The tribunal may decide on the written record or ask for more information. Respond quickly if asked. Keep your phone and email accessible.
3. If granted, follow the order exactly. Serve the documents using the method and deadline that the officer approves. Track each step with time-stamped proof. If the order requires you to provide the abridgement request or order to the respondent, include it in your package.
4. If denied, pivot to standard timelines. Keep serving normally and note each attempt. If the hearing date no longer works, request scheduling guidance through the accepted process. Do not stop serving unless directed.
5. Amend if circumstances change. If new facts arise—like the respondent contacting you, a new address, or escalating risk—prepare an updated RTDR0001. Explain what changed and why further abridgement or adjusted terms are now fair.
6. Distribute copies appropriately. Keep a complete set for yourself. Provide the tribunal with the filed version and attachments. If directed, send the respondent a copy and keep proof of delivery.
7. Prepare for the hearing. Organize your declaration, order (if granted), and proof of service. Use a simple index. Be ready to explain, in two minutes or less, why abridgement was necessary and how you followed the order.
8. Close the loop after the hearing. Store your records until the matter is resolved. If you receive written reasons or an order addressing service, file and save it with your RTDR0001 and proof of service.