Episode 198: Location-Specific Tenancy Guidance for Yukon Territory
Summary
Today’s location-specific episode features Yukon Territory. We explore the overview of the housing guiding document called Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenancies Act. Each of my location-specific podcasts is set up the same way answering the same four questions:
1) What are the basics of the Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenancies Act
2) What are the nuances of this location – what is different that stands out?
3) Some guidance about abandoned items left behind by a tenant in a rental in Yukon Territory
4) Where to get help in your local area in Yukon Territory.
Then I’ll go through what I call my “Bingo Card” of standard items I see most often in tenancy laws in different locations. This episode is NOT all inclusive – you must research further in your specific area including your County, Regional District, Parish, City or any other Governing Body that involves your rental location, but today’s episode will get you started!
This episode includes resources for Yukon Territory including:
Listen to the full episode :
This Week’s Blog Post:
Welcome to My Life As A Landlord. In this episode, I walked through one of my location-specific tenancy guidance shows, focusing entirely on the Yukon Territory in Canada. As with all of these episodes, my goal was to give landlords and tenants a clear starting point by walking through the same framework I always use. I shared that this episode is designed as a running start, not an all-inclusive legal guide, and I emphasized the importance of checking the most current resources because tenancy laws can change quickly.
The Basics of Tenancy in the Yukon Territory
I spent time explaining the basics of the Yukon Residential Tenancies Act, which was recently replaced with a new version in early 2025. I talked about how detailed and comprehensive this legislation is, including clear rules around rent increases, notice periods, fixed-term leases, overholding, and landlord and tenant responsibilities. I also highlighted how rent increases are limited, require proper notice, and are tied to published annual indexes, with special rules for above-index increases in certain situations.
Key Nuances Landlords Need to Know
I shared several nuances that really stood out to me while reviewing Yukon’s legislation. These included strict timelines for returning security deposits, detailed requirements around condition inspections, and very specific rules about pet damage deposits and service animals. I also explained how unpaid rent is handled, including written notice timelines, the five-day window before further action can be taken, and how utility charges may be treated as unpaid rent.
Abandoned Property and Ending a Tenancy
A significant portion of the episode focused on what happens when a tenant abandons a rental unit. I explained that landlords must obtain an order from the director before touching or disposing of a tenant’s personal property and must make reasonable efforts to locate the tenant. I also walked through the rules around storage, sale, and handling of proceeds, as well as notice requirements for ending a tenancy for reasons such as non-payment of rent, renovations, demolition, or admission into long-term care.
Where to Get Help and What Comes Next
To wrap up the episode, I reviewed the many resources available to landlords and tenants in the Yukon Territory, including the Residential Tenancies Office, legal aid services, and public legal education organizations. I finished by going through my bingo card to confirm which major topics were covered and which areas require further research. As always, I encouraged listeners to connect with other local landlords, stay informed, and continue learning the rules of the game so they can protect themselves and their rental businesses.