Yukon Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners (2025)

Yukon's landlord-tenant framework underwent a significant transformation when the new Residential Tenancies Act came into force on September 1, 2025, replacing the former Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Whether you manage a single-family home, a condo, or a suite in Whitehorse, understanding Yukon's updated residential tenancy laws is essential to staying compliant and protecting your investment.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed attorney in Yukon for guidance specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

Key Yukon Rental Laws at a Glance

The New Residential Tenancies Act (2025)

Effective September 1, 2025, the Residential Tenancies Act introduced several tenant-protective reforms that Yukon landlords must understand:

• No "no-cause" evictions — Landlords can only end a tenancy for specified valid reasons.
• CPI-based rent control — Annual increases are capped at the two-year average of the Whitehorse Consumer Price Index.
• Pet deposits — For the first time, landlords may collect a pet damage deposit (up to half a month's rent).
• Electronic transfers — E-transfers are now permitted for returning security deposits.
• AI rent-setting prohibition — Using algorithmic tools to set rent is prohibited.

Disputes that arose before September 1, 2025 continue to be handled under the former Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

Security Deposits

Yukon landlords may collect a security deposit of up to one month's rent. A separate pet damage deposit of up to half a month's rent may also be collected if the tenant has a pet.

Deposits must be returned within 15 days of the later of: the tenancy end date, or the date the landlord receives the tenant's forwarding address or e-transfer information in writing. Failing to return the deposit or apply for dispute resolution within that window forfeits the landlord's claim to the deposit.

For more detail, see our Security Deposits guide.

Rent Increases

Under the new Residential Tenancies Act, rent increases are capped at the two-year average of the Whitehorse Consumer Price Index (CPI). The rent adjustment year runs from May 15 of one year to May 14 of the next.

Landlords may apply for an above-index increase (up to 3% above the CPI cap, for a maximum of 3 years) for demonstrably extraordinary expenses. Landlords must provide at least 3 months' written notice using an approved government form and may raise rent no more than once every 12 months.

For more detail, see our Rent Increases guide.

Eviction Procedures

As of September 1, 2025, Yukon landlords cannot evict without cause. Valid grounds for ending a tenancy include:

• Non-payment of rent — Landlord must allow a 5-day cure period before issuing a formal notice.
• Repeated late payment
• Safety risk posed by the tenant
• Landlord or family member occupancy
• Major renovations or demolition
• Change to non-residential use

Notice periods under the former Act (applicable to pre-September 2025 disputes) included a 14-day notice for non-payment and 2–3 months for no-fault terminations.

For more detail, see our Eviction Process guide.

Required Disclosures

Yukon landlords must provide tenants with:

1. A written tenancy agreement within 21 days of signing (if the agreement is in writing)
2. Landlord contact information — name, address, and phone number for service
3. Emergency contact for the tenant
4. A copy of the minimum rental standards set out in the Residential Tenancies Act
5. A completed and signed Condition Inspection Report before move-in (copy to tenant within 14 days)
6. Rent receipts upon request

For more detail, see our Required Disclosures guide.

Maintenance and Habitability

Yukon landlords must maintain all rental units in a "good, safe, healthy and tenantable state of repair" and in compliance with all applicable health, safety, and housing standards. This includes:

• Structural integrity (walls, ceilings, foundation)
• Working plumbing, heating, and ventilation
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Pest-free premises
• Safe and lockable entrance doors
• Clean and maintained common areas

If a landlord fails to make required repairs, the Residential Tenancies Office may order a rent reduction proportional to the loss of habitability.

For more detail, see our Maintenance Obligations guide.

Late Fees

Yukon's Residential Tenancies Act does not set a statutory cap on late fees, but the fee must be reasonable and stipulated in the tenancy agreement. Excessive or punitive fees are not enforceable. Landlords are permitted to issue a termination notice for non-payment when rent is overdue — providing a 5-day opportunity for the tenant to cure under the new Act.

For more detail, see our Late Fees guide.

Lease Requirements

While oral tenancy agreements are permitted in Yukon, written leases are strongly recommended. A written agreement must be provided to the tenant within 21 days of signing. Key mandatory lease terms under the Act include:

• Landlord contact details and emergency number
• Rental unit address and access provisions
• Start date and, if fixed-term, end date
• Rent amount and payment terms
• Standard terms incorporating RLTA provisions (subletting, entry rights, repair obligations, etc.)

For more detail, see our Lease Requirements guide.

Dispute Resolution

Residential tenancy disputes in Yukon are handled by the Residential Tenancies Office (RTO). Both landlords and tenants can file applications for dispute resolution. Disputes arising on or after September 1, 2025 are governed by the new Residential Tenancies Act.

Getting Started with Compliance

Managing compliance in Yukon's evolving regulatory environment can be complex. Landager helps landlords track lease terms, monitor rent increase schedules, and stay current when the law changes.

Explore more Yukon compliance topics:

• Security Deposits
• Eviction Process
• Required Disclosures
• Rent Increases
• Lease Requirements
• Maintenance Obligations
• Late Fees