Nunavut (NU) law guide
Quick answer
Nunavut's Residential Tenancies Act (carried over from the NWT at the time of division in 1999) caps security deposits at one month's rent. There is no prescribed rent increase guideline, but landlords must provide three months' written notice before any increase and may only increase rent once per year. All evictions require an order from the Nunavut Rental Officer, which must then be registered with the Nunavut Supreme Court before the tenant can be removed.
Security deposit rules
Maximum one month's rent (one week for weekly tenancies). Returned within 10 days of move-out with interest at the Bank of Canada 30-day deposit rate.
Rent control
No prescribed rent increase guideline. Landlords may increase rent once annually with three months' written notice. Nunavut Housing Corporation public housing is exempt from notice requirements.
Tribunal/board
Nunavut Rental Office (Rental Officer). Website: nu-rto.ca. Address: 1106 Iqaluktuuttiak Drive, 4th Floor, Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0.
Nonpayment notice
Landlord applies to the Rental Officer for an eviction order. Hearing notices must be served at least 5 days before the scheduled hearing. Eviction order must be registered with the Nunavut Supreme Court.
Nunavut rental market snapshot
Population
~40,000 (2024 est.)
Renter households
~52%
Median rent
$2,100
Largest rental markets
Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Cambridge Bay
Nunavut has the most severe housing shortage of any Canadian jurisdiction. Most communities are fly-in only, making construction costs extremely high. The Nunavut Housing Corporation provides a large share of rental units. Private market rents in Iqaluit are among the highest per square foot in Canada.
A security deposit in Nunavut cannot exceed one month's rent (or one week's rent for weekly tenancies). Tenants have the option to pay the deposit in two instalments: half upfront and the remaining half within three months. Landlords must return the deposit with interest at the Bank of Canada 30-day deposit rate within 10 days of the tenant vacating.
If the landlord intends to deduct any amount, they must provide an itemized statement of account at the time of return. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Disputes over deposits are heard by the Nunavut Rental Officer.
Nunavut has no prescribed rent increase cap or annual guideline. Landlords may increase rent once per year by any amount, provided they give three months' written notice in advance. Tenants who receive a proper rent increase notice may treat it as a termination notice and vacate at the end of the notice period without penalty.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation is exempt from the requirement to give advance notice of rent increases for public housing units. Private market tenants should document all rent increase notices carefully as a safeguard in any future disputes.
Landlords in Nunavut cannot evict a tenant without a formal order from the Nunavut Rental Officer. After serving a termination notice for nonpayment or other valid grounds, the landlord must apply to the Rental Officer if the tenant does not leave voluntarily. Hearing notices must be served on the other party at least five days before the scheduled hearing date.
Once an eviction order is granted, the landlord must register it with the Nunavut Supreme Court. Failing to comply with a Rental Officer order is an offence that can result in a fine of up to $2,000. A party may appeal a Rental Officer decision to the Nunavut Court of Justice within 14 days of the order.
Landlords must give written notice at least 24 hours in advance before entering a rental unit. Entry is permitted between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for inspections, showings, or non-emergency repairs. In emergencies where there is a risk of damage or injury, a landlord may enter without advance notice.
Landlords must maintain the unit in a good state of repair and in compliance with applicable health, safety, and housing standards. In many Nunavut communities, the Nunavut Housing Corporation sets additional maintenance standards for its own housing stock.
Tenants in Nunavut are protected against discrimination under the Nunavut Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on grounds including race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, family status, disability, and source of income. Discriminatory refusals to rent and discriminatory lease conditions are both prohibited.
Tenants have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their rental unit. The Rental Officer may award rent abatements and other remedies where a landlord has failed to maintain the unit or has interfered with the tenant's rights under the Act.
Tenancy agreements in Nunavut should set out all key terms, including the rent amount, payment date, deposit amount, and any special conditions. The Nunavut Residential Tenancies Office provides standard tenancy agreement forms at nu-rto.ca. Both fixed-term and month-to-month agreements are valid, and a fixed-term agreement that is not properly terminated generally rolls over to a periodic tenancy.
Fair housing complaints may be filed with the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal. Given the severe housing shortage in many communities, the Rental Officer also plays a practical role in resolving habitability disputes and mediating between parties before holding a formal hearing.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Residential Tenancies Act, R.S.N.W.T. (Nu) 1988, c. R-5. Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-06.
Nunavut FAQ
No. Nunavut has **no prescribed rent increase cap or guideline**. Landlords may raise rent by any amount, but must give **three months' written notice** and can only increase rent once per year. Tenants in Nunavut Housing Corporation public housing are subject to a different regime and the NHC is exempt from standard notice requirements.
After serving a termination notice, the landlord must apply to the **Nunavut Rental Officer** for an eviction order if the tenant does not leave voluntarily. The hearing notice must be served **at least 5 days** before the hearing. Once an order is granted, it must be registered with the **Nunavut Supreme Court** before the tenant can be physically removed.
The maximum security deposit is **one month's rent** (one week for weekly tenancies). Tenants may pay the deposit in two instalments: half at the start and the remainder within three months. The deposit must be returned with **Bank of Canada 30-day interest** within **10 days** of move-out.
The **Nunavut Rental Office** and its Rental Officer handle all disputes, including deposit claims, repair failures, and eviction orders. The Rental Officer can mediate and adjudicate. Decisions may be appealed to the **Nunavut Court of Justice within 14 days**. Contact the office at nu-rto.ca or in Iqaluit at 1106 Iqaluktuuttiak Drive, 4th Floor.
The **Nunavut Human Rights Act** prohibits landlords from refusing to rent or imposing different conditions based on race, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, family status, or **source of income**, among other grounds. Complaints go to the **Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal**. Source of income protection is particularly relevant given the territory's high reliance on social housing and income assistance.
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