Landlord Guide to Renting in Yukon

The Yukon RLTA applies to most residential tenancies. Both written and oral agreements are enforceable, but landlords must provide a written tenancy agreement or a written statement of the key terms. The Act overrides any conflicting terms in a tenancy agreement.

• Both fixed-term and periodic tenancies are recognized under the RLTA
• The landlord must provide the tenant with a written copy of the tenancy agreement (RLTA, s. 19)
• Provisions that waive or contract out of the RLTA are void and unenforceable (RLTA, s. 5)
• The Residential Tenancies Office publishes a recommended standard form tenancy agreement

Under the RLTA, landlords may collect a security deposit equal to one month's rent at the beginning of the tenancy. Separate pet damage deposits are not permitted — the one-month limit encompasses all deposits.

• Maximum security deposit: equivalent of one month's rent (RLTA, s. 30(1))
• The deposit must be placed in a trust account at a Yukon financial institution (RLTA, s. 31)
• Interest accrues at a rate prescribed by regulation and must be paid to the tenant annually or at the end of the tenancy
• A landlord may not require any additional deposit beyond the one-month limit

Yukon landlords must provide tenants with certain disclosures and inspect the condition of the unit at the start of the tenancy to protect both parties in the event of a later deposit dispute.

• A written condition inspection report should be completed and signed by both parties at the start and end of the tenancy (RLTA, s. 28)
• The landlord must disclose the legal name and address of the property owner or the owner's authorized agent (RLTA, s. 20(1))
• Any known material latent defects or hazards must be disclosed before the tenancy begins
• If the premises are subject to a pending sale, demolition, or conversion, this must be disclosed

Rent is due on the date specified in the tenancy agreement. Yukon does not impose a statutory grace period for late rent. Landlords may charge a late fee only if it is set out in the tenancy agreement and is reasonable.

• Rent is due on the date specified in the agreement; if not specified, on the first day of each rental period
• No statutory grace period for late payments
• A landlord must provide a receipt for rent upon request (RLTA, s. 25(2))
• Distress (seizure of a tenant's goods for unpaid rent) is prohibited (RLTA, s. 26)

Landlords must maintain the rental premises in a state of good repair, fit for habitation, and in compliance with health, safety, and housing standards. This obligation applies throughout the tenancy and cannot be waived.

• The landlord must maintain the premises in a good state of repair and fit for habitation (RLTA, s. 37(1))
• Essential services — heat, water, electricity — must be provided and maintained (RLTA, s. 37(2))
• The tenant must report needed repairs in writing; the landlord must address them within a reasonable time
• A tenant may apply to the Residential Tenancies Office for an order requiring the landlord to make repairs (RLTA, s. 63)

Landlords must provide written notice before entering a tenant's unit for non-emergency purposes. The RLTA specifies the minimum notice period and permissible hours for entry.

• At least 24 hours' written notice is required for non-emergency entry (RLTA, s. 41(3))
• Entry must occur between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. unless the tenant consents otherwise (RLTA, s. 41(4))
• Permitted purposes include inspections, necessary repairs, showings to prospective tenants or purchasers, and pest control
• Emergency entry (e.g., fire, flood, risk of significant property damage) is permitted without notice (RLTA, s. 41(1))

Yukon does not impose rent control, meaning there is no cap on the amount of a rent increase. However, the RLTA requires adequate written notice and limits increases to once per year.

• No statutory cap on the amount of a rent increase
• A minimum of 90 days' written notice is required before a rent increase takes effect (RLTA, s. 34(2))
• Rent may only be increased once every 12 months (RLTA, s. 34(1))
• Rent cannot be increased during a fixed-term tenancy unless the agreement expressly permits it

The notice period required to terminate a tenancy in Yukon depends on the type of tenancy, who is giving notice, and the reason for termination. All termination notices must be in writing.

• Month-to-month tenancy, tenant: at least one month's written notice (RLTA, s. 44(1))
• Month-to-month tenancy, landlord (no cause): at least three months' written notice (RLTA, s. 46(1))
• Nonpayment of rent: 14 days' written notice with the right to void the notice by paying in full within the notice period (RLTA, s. 50)
• Substantial breach: reasonable written notice with an opportunity to remedy (RLTA, s. 48)

Self-help evictions are prohibited in Yukon. Landlords must follow the statutory process through the Residential Tenancies Office or the courts to lawfully remove a tenant.

• Serve the appropriate written termination notice under the RLTA
• If the tenant does not vacate, apply to the Residential Tenancies Office for an order of possession (RLTA, s. 63)
• If the tenant still does not comply, the landlord may apply to the Supreme Court of Yukon for enforcement
• Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing belongings, or disconnecting utilities — are prohibited and may result in penalties (RLTA, s. 42)

The landlord must return the security deposit plus accrued interest within 15 days after the tenancy ends and both the move-out inspection and forwarding address have been provided, less any lawful deductions.

• Return deadline: within 15 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant provides a forwarding address (RLTA, s. 32(1))
• The landlord must provide a written itemized statement of any deductions
• Permissible deductions: unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and reasonable cleaning costs to restore the unit to the condition recorded in the move-in inspection
• If the landlord does not return the deposit within 15 days, the tenant may apply to the Residential Tenancies Office for an order requiring full return of the deposit plus interest