Living with a roommate who is violent or abusive can make your rental unsafe and stressful. If you are a tenant in Saskatchewan dealing with domestic violence between roommates, this guide explains clear steps you can take to protect yourself, document incidents, and understand your tenant rights. You will find information on immediate safety actions, working with landlords and property managers, when to contact police or victim services, and how to use official tenancy processes to seek remedies. The guidance focuses on practical, tenant-focused options like temporary relocation, requests for repairs or lock changes for safety, filing complaints with the proper residential tenancies authority, and preserving evidence for hearings or police reports.
Understanding domestic violence between roommates in Saskatchewan
Domestic violence between roommates can include physical harm, threats, stalking, harassment, or other actions that interfere with your quiet enjoyment of the rental. You do not need to wait for physical injury to act — tenants have options to improve safety and raise tenancy issues with the appropriate provincial bodies or the police. If you are unsure which steps apply, read the sections below and consider contacting local victim services or the Office of Residential Tenancies for guidance[1].
What to do right away
- Call 911 if you are in immediate danger and the police are needed to protect you.
- Get to a safe location—stay with a friend or family member, or contact local shelters and victim services for temporary housing options.
- Preserve evidence: take photos of injuries or property damage, save threatening messages, and keep dated notes of incidents.
- Ask the landlord for immediate safety measures such as lock changes, improved exterior lighting, or other repairs that reduce risk.
Documenting incidents and building your case
Good documentation helps whether you contact police, apply to the tenancy authority, or request emergency support. Keep photos, screenshots of messages, witness names, and a dated incident log. If you report incidents to police, get a copy of the police report and note the report number. If you ask your landlord for safety changes, send requests in writing and keep copies.
Working with your landlord and property manager
Tell your landlord or property manager about safety concerns and request reasonable measures. Landlords may be able to change locks, arrange temporary relocation, or facilitate a different living arrangement for the safety of tenants. When discussing the issue, keep communications factual and document each contact. For general tenant and landlord rights in this province, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Saskatchewan for an overview of obligations and dispute options.
Formal tenancy processes and official forms
In Saskatchewan you can use official tenancy procedures if the situation cannot be resolved informally. Common formal steps include filing a complaint with the residential tenancy authority or applying to end a tenancy where safety is a factor. Typical forms and uses include:
- Notice to End Tenancy (form name varies): used when a tenant or landlord needs to end a tenancy for safety reasons; for example, a tenant who must leave temporarily for their safety would serve the notice according to the timelines on the official form.
- Application to the Office of Residential Tenancies: used to request a hearing or order when disputes over safety measures, lock changes, or eviction questions arise — attach your evidence such as photos, police reports, and written logs.
Find official forms and instructions on the Saskatchewan government website to confirm exact form names, numbers, and filing steps[2]. If you need help filling out forms, consider community legal clinics or victim services.
When to involve police, victim services, or legal help
Call police for immediate threats. For non-emergency assistance, contact local victim services for safety planning, counselling, or help finding temporary housing. Legal clinics can explain options like restraining orders, tenancy remedies, or how to present evidence at a tenancy hearing.
FAQ
- Can I call the police if my roommate is violent?
- Yes. Call 911 for immediate danger. For non-emergency concerns, you can report incidents to local police and obtain a report to support tenancy or legal actions.
- Can my landlord make the violent roommate leave?
- Landlords cannot force a specific tenant to leave without following legal eviction processes, but they can take reasonable steps to keep the rental safe and can apply to the residential tenancy authority if a roommate's behaviour breaches the tenancy agreement.
- Will I lose my lease if I report domestic violence?
- Reporting violence does not automatically make you lose your lease. Tenants seeking safety should document incidents and follow official procedures; some protections and remedies may be available through tenancy authorities.
- Where can I find official forms to end a tenancy or request a hearing?
- Official residential tenancy forms and filing instructions are available on the Saskatchewan government website and at the Office of Residential Tenancies forms page[3].
How-To
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911 and get to a safe place.
- Document every incident with dates, photos, message screenshots, and witness names.
- Request safety repairs or lock changes from your landlord in writing and keep copies of all communications.
- If informal requests fail, file the appropriate tenancy form or application with the Office of Residential Tenancies and attach your evidence.
- If needed, seek temporary housing through victim services or by finding alternate rentals; consider using online rental platforms to locate safe options.
Help and Support / Resources
- Saskatchewan Government — Landlords and tenants
- Residential tenancies forms (Saskatchewan)
- Saskatchewan Victim Services
