Domestic Violence Survivors: Entry & Lock Change Rights

Being a tenant or renter who has experienced domestic violence raises urgent questions about safety, privacy and your rights in Saskatchewan. This guide explains how landlord entry rules work, when you can change locks, and practical steps to protect yourself while staying within provincial tenancy rules. It uses plain language and gives concrete examples of notices, forms and where to get help so you can make safe choices and know when to ask the Office that handles tenancy disputes for assistance.^[1]

Your rights when a landlord requests entry

Landlords can enter a rental unit in limited circumstances. In Saskatchewan the rules balance a landlords need to inspect, repair or show the unit with your right to privacy and safety. Tenants generally must receive notice before non-emergency entry, and entry must be at reasonable times unless there is an emergency. If you are a survivor of domestic violence, you can ask for accommodations such as staff-only visits, a chosen escort, or written scheduling to reduce risk.

• Landlord must give reasonable notice for non-emergency entry and state the reason.
• Emergency entry (for example, sudden serious water damage) may occur without notice to prevent harm.
• You may document any entry with photos and a log to support future complaints or applications.

Changing locks and securing your unit

Survivors can often seek to change locks or limit key-holders for safety. Whether you can do so without permission depends on your lease and provincial rules. In many cases you should first tell the landlord why a lock change is necessary and request consent; if the landlord refuses or delays and your safety is at risk, document the refusal and pursue official help. Landlords may not unreasonably deny security measures, and they must follow the tenancy law when replacing keys or changing locks.^[2]

When asking for a lock change, consider these practical points and available forms from the provincial tenancy office. You can also review obligations that apply to both landlords and tenants to understand responsibilities on repairs and access, which helps when requesting safer arrangements.Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained

Practical steps: documenting safety needs and filing requests

Follow clear steps to reduce risk and create a record if you need to escalate. Keep communication factual and focused on safety and habitability. If you signed a lease recently, review the agreement to confirm any clauses about locks and keys and follow the recommended process for notices and requests.What Tenants Need to Know After Signing the Rental Agreement

• Write and keep dated notes of every conversation and notice about entry or keys.
• Ask the landlord for a written consent to change locks or for them to arrange a lock change.
• Contact local supports and, if needed, the tenancy office to ask about emergency remedies.

Official forms you may use

Check the provincial tenancy office for official forms you may need. Common items include requests or notices to the landlord and applications to the tenancy office to resolve disputes or ask for emergency orders. The provincial forms page lists the current documents and how to submit them online or by mail.^[3]

FAQ

Can my landlord enter my unit without permission if I am a domestic violence survivor?

No. Except in an emergency, landlords must follow notice rules and reasonable hours; you can ask for accommodations for safety and request review by the provincial tenancy office.^[1]

Am I allowed to change the locks if I feel unsafe?

You should first request permission and document the landlords response. If immediate safety is at risk, change locks and inform the landlord and tenancy office as soon as possible about the action and reason.

What if the landlord refuses to allow a lock change that I need for safety?

Document the refusal, gather evidence of risk, contact local supports and apply to the tenancy office for an urgent remedy under the Residential Tenancies Act.^[2]

How-To

1. Document the safety concern with dates, photos and names of witnesses.
2. Send a written request to your landlord asking for a lock change or other safety measure and keep a copy.
3. If you do not get a timely response, contact the Office that manages tenancy disputes and ask how to apply for an urgent order.
4. Bring your documentation to legal aid, a community advocate, or the tenancy office for help filing forms or attending hearings.

Help and Support / Resources

• Office of Residential Tenancies (Saskatchewan)
• Saskatchewan renting rights and responsibilities
• Provincial tenant assistance and contacts

1. [1] Office of Residential Tenancies (Saskatchewan)
2. [2] Residential Tenancies Act and related guidance (Saskatchewan)
3. [3] Official tenancy forms and help (Saskatchewan)