Yukon (YT) law guide
Quick answer
Yukon's new Residential Tenancies Act came into force September 1, 2025, replacing the old Landlord and Tenant Act. Landlords may collect a security deposit of up to one month's rent and a pet deposit of up to half a month's rent. Rent increases are capped at the annual rent index (2.6% from May 15, 2026 to May 14, 2027), and no-cause evictions are prohibited. Disputes are resolved by the Residential Tenancies Office (RTO), an administrative tribunal whose decisions are final and binding.
Security deposit rules
Maximum one month's rent; pet deposit up to half a month's rent. Interest must be paid annually or within 15 days of move-out.
Rent control
Yes. Annual rent index tied to 2-year average Whitehorse CPI. 2026 cap is 2.6% (May 15, 2026 to May 14, 2027). Landlords may apply to the RTO for up to 3% additional increase.
Tribunal/board
Residential Tenancies Office (RTO), administrative tribunal. Decisions are final and binding. Contact: rto.gov.yk.ca.
Nonpayment notice
5-day notice to pay, then 14-day notice to end tenancy. Tenant has 7 days to pay and void the notice (first offence only). Tenant has 10 days to apply to the RTO to dispute.
Yukon rental market snapshot
Population
~43,000 (2024 est.)
Renter households
~38%
Median rent
$1,850
Largest rental markets
Whitehorse, Dawson City, Watson Lake
Whitehorse has among the tightest rental vacancy rates in Canada, regularly under 1%. The territory's small housing stock and resource-sector demand push rents well above national averages for small communities.
Landlords may collect one security deposit per tenancy, capped at one month's rent. A separate pet damage deposit of up to half a month's rent is permitted for tenants with pets, either at the start of a tenancy or when a tenant acquires a pet during the tenancy.
Landlords must pay interest on deposits annually or within 15 days of the tenancy ending. Deposits may only be applied to unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear, and the landlord must provide an itemized accounting of any deductions.
Landlords must give three months' written notice before any rent increase. Increases are limited to the annual residential rent index, calculated each May 15 as the two-year average of the Whitehorse all-items CPI. For the period May 15, 2026 to May 14, 2027, the cap is 2.6%.
Landlords who face costs not reflected in CPI may apply to the RTO for an additional increase of up to 3%. The Yukon government has signalled it will phase out the rent cap after 2027, so landlords and tenants should monitor upcoming regulatory changes.
Yukon's 2025 Act bans no-cause evictions. Landlords must have a valid reason, such as nonpayment of rent, repeated late payment, significant damage, or personal use of the unit. For nonpayment, the landlord issues a 5-day notice to pay, followed by a 14-day notice to end tenancy if rent remains outstanding. A first-time late-paying tenant can void the 14-day notice by paying in full within 7 days of receiving it.
A tenant has 10 days to apply to the RTO to dispute any notice to end tenancy. While a dispute is active, the notice is paused. Compensation is required when ending a tenancy for landlord's own use or major renovations.
Landlords must provide written notice at least 24 hours in advance before entering a rental unit. Entry is permitted between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. for inspections, showings, or non-emergency repairs. Emergency entry to prevent serious damage or injury requires no advance notice.
Landlords are required to maintain the unit in a good state of repair and in compliance with health and safety standards. Tenants must report needed repairs promptly and maintain the unit in a reasonably clean condition.
Discrimination in rental housing is prohibited under the Yukon Human Rights Act, which protects against discrimination based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, marital status, family status, and disability. Landlords cannot refuse to rent or impose different conditions based on any of these grounds.
Tenants have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their unit and may apply to the RTO for remedies if a landlord interferes with that right, fails to make repairs, or retaliates against a tenant for exercising their legal rights.
The Residential Tenancies Act requires that tenancy agreements include key terms such as the rent amount, payment date, rules about pets, and entry conditions. The RTO provides standard lease forms, and landlords are encouraged to use them. Both fixed-term and month-to-month leases are recognized; a fixed-term lease automatically converts to a month-to-month tenancy at expiry unless either party gives proper notice.
Fair housing in Yukon is enforced through the Yukon Human Rights Commission. Landlords may not advertise rentals in a discriminatory manner or impose conditions that have a discriminatory effect on protected groups.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Residential Tenancies Act, S.Y. 2025, c. 7. Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-06.
Yukon FAQ
No. The **Residential Tenancies Act** that came into force September 1, 2025 bans no-cause evictions entirely. Landlords must have a valid reason such as nonpayment of rent, significant damage, or genuine personal use of the property.
The maximum rent increase from **May 15, 2026 to May 14, 2027** is **2.6%**, based on the two-year average CPI for Whitehorse. Landlords must give three months' written notice and may apply to the RTO for an additional increase of up to 3% to cover extraordinary costs.
The maximum security deposit is **one month's rent**. A landlord may also collect a separate **pet damage deposit of up to half a month's rent**. Only one security deposit is allowed per tenancy.
The landlord first issues a **5-day notice to pay**. If rent remains unpaid, a **14-day notice to end tenancy** follows. A first-time late-paying tenant may void the 14-day notice by paying all outstanding rent within **7 days**. The tenant then has 10 days to dispute the notice at the **Residential Tenancies Office (RTO)**.
The **Residential Tenancies Office (RTO)** is Yukon's administrative tribunal for landlord-tenant disputes. Its decisions are final and binding. Tenants and landlords can file applications at rto.gov.yk.ca. Disputes pause any active notice to end tenancy until the RTO issues a decision.
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