Handling Pet and Smoke Complaints as a Tenant in Nunavut

Living in Nunavut rental housing means sharing space with others. Disputes can sometimes arise—neighbour complaints about pets or smoke are among the most common. As a tenant, it’s important to know your rights, responsibilities, and how to resolve these issues with fairness and respect.

Understanding Tenant Rights and Rules in Nunavut

Tenancies in Nunavut are regulated by the Nunavut Residential Tenancies Act. This law sets out your rights, responsibilities, and the processes for resolving disputes related to noise, pets, smoke, and more.¹

Some key points for tenants:

• Check your rental agreement for any clauses about pets, smoking, or other restrictions.
• Follow any building rules related to pets (such as leash policies) or smoking (like designated areas).
• Tenants must avoid disturbing their neighbours’ reasonable enjoyment.

Reviewing your lease and understanding the basic obligations can help resolve complaints early. For a complete overview, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nunavut.

Common Complaints: Pets and Smoke in Rental Units

Concerns from neighbours often fall into these categories:

• Noisy or disruptive pets: Barking dogs, roaming cats, or damage to common areas.
• Pet allergies: Some neighbours may have health sensitivities to fur, dander, or animal waste.
• Tobacco or cannabis smoke: Odours spreading to adjacent units or common spaces.

Tenants must balance their enjoyment of their home with neighbours’ right to peaceful enjoyment. Many complaints can be resolved through open conversation or by making small changes, like managing pet noise or using air filters.

How to Respond to a Neighbour’s Complaint

If another tenant or your landlord raises a concern, here’s what you should do:

• Listen politely and ask for details, such as times, dates, and what specifically bothers the neighbour.
• Check your lease and building policies for any rules about pets or smoking.
• Try to address the issue directly. For example, keep pets quiet at night or smoke only in permitted areas.
• Document your side of events, especially if you made changes or spoke with your neighbour/landlord.

Most disputes are resolved at this stage. However, if complaints continue or you feel unfairly targeted, there are formal options available.

Landlord or Tribunal Involvement: Formal Complaints

Your landlord may get involved if an issue violates your lease, disturbs others, or raises health and safety concerns. They may issue a written warning or (rarely) a notice to vacate if rules are repeatedly broken.

If you believe a complaint is unfair, or if you are concerned about your neighbour’s conduct, you can contact Nunavut’s Residential Tenancy Office. This office handles disputes, including issues related to pets, smoke, and peaceful enjoyment of rental units.²

Filing a Complaint or Application

If informal resolution is not successful, either a tenant or landlord may submit a complaint to the Residential Tenancy Office using the following forms:

• Application to the Rental Officer (Form RT01): Used to request a hearing for disputes about tenancy matters, including complaints about pets or smoke. Download Nunavut RT01 Application
• Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Form RT02): Used only by landlords to officially notify a tenant of ending the tenancy, usually for ongoing violations. Download Nunavut RT02 Notice

For example, if your landlord threatens eviction based on pet complaints but you believe you followed all rules, you may file an RT01 to have your case reviewed by the Rental Officer.

The Rental Officer is the official responsible for resolving these disputes in Nunavut and has the authority to make binding decisions.

Health and Safety Concerns

If neighbour complaints relate to health and safety—such as severe allergies triggered by pets or ventilation issues due to smoke—tenants and landlords must address these quickly. For more on this topic, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

Both tenants and landlords have rights and responsibilities under Nunavut law:

• Tenants have the right to reasonable enjoyment of their home, including having pets (if allowed by the lease) and the use of legal substances.
• Landlords may set reasonable restrictions in the lease but must enforce them fairly and in line with the law.
• Landlords and tenants are both responsible for resolving disputes in good faith and keeping detailed records.

For a helpful summary of ongoing rights and obligations, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Finding the Right Home in Nunavut

If you require a pet-friendly or smoke-free environment, be clear about your needs before moving in. Search pet-friendly rentals on Houseme.ca and find lease terms that suit you across Nunavut and Canada.

1. What should I do if my neighbour complains about my pet in Nunavut?
   Speak to your neighbour, check your lease for pet rules, and take steps to address the issue. If complaints persist, document your efforts and contact your landlord or the Residential Tenancy Office for guidance.
2. Can my landlord evict me for smoking or having a pet?
   Only if your lease prohibits smoking or pets, or if your actions unreasonably disturb neighbours. The landlord must give written notice and you may dispute an eviction through the Rental Officer.
3. Which form do I use to dispute a landlord’s warning or a complaint?
   Use the "Application to the Rental Officer (Form RT01)" to request a review of your dispute.
4. Are there any territorial programs for resolving tenant disputes in Nunavut?
   Yes. The Nunavut Residential Tenancy Office provides free mediation and decision-making for rental disputes.
5. Where can I read more about Nunavut tenant laws?
   Visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nunavut for a complete overview.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Tenants

• Know your lease terms and Nunavut’s tenant law before acting on any complaint.
• Try informal solutions first, keep records, and use official forms if needed.
• The Rental Officer is your resource for fair, legal dispute resolution in Nunavut.

Understanding your rights can help prevent disagreements and build positive relationships in your rental community.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Nunavut Residential Tenancy Office – Rental Officer for all tenancy disputes (1-867-975-2520)
• Nunavut Education – Tenant & Landlord Information
• Nunavut Legal Services Board (legal advice): https://www.nulas.ca/
• General overview: Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nunavut

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1. Nunavut Residential Tenancies Act: Full legislation (PDF)
2. Nunavut Residential Tenancy Office: Official tribunal contact

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