What to Do If Your Rent Is Raised After a Complaint in Saskatchewan

If you’re a tenant in Saskatchewan and your rent goes up shortly after you make a complaint—such as about repairs, health, or safety—it's natural to wonder if this increase is allowed and what your rights are. The main keyword for this topic is: what to do if rent is raised after a complaint in Saskatchewan. This article provides a clear guide on your legal protections, action steps, and where to get help in these situations.

Understanding Rent Increases and Retaliation in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) is the provincial body overseeing rental disputes. The main set of rules is found in the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006^[1]. Under Saskatchewan law, landlords may not raise your rent for retaliatory reasons if you have exercised your legal rights as a tenant—such as making a complaint to the landlord or ORT.

What Are Signs of a Retaliatory Rent Increase?

A retaliatory increase usually means the landlord is raising the rent because you did something legal, like:

• Requesting a repair or reporting a health or safety concern
• Making a formal complaint to the landlord or the ORT
• Enforcing rights under your tenancy agreement

Not every rent increase after a complaint is retaliatory, but timing and context matter. Saskatchewan law prohibits landlords from penalizing tenants for standing up for their rights.

Your Rights as a Tenant

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, a landlord:

• Must give at least 12 months written notice before a rent increase for fixed-term leases, or 3 months for periodic month-to-month leases
• May not increase rent within 12 months of the last increase or the start of your tenancy
• Is not allowed to increase your rent to punish you for a complaint or exercising your rights

For a deeper look at the rules, see Understanding Rent Increases: What Tenants Need to Know.

What to Do If You Suspect a Retaliatory Rent Increase

If your rent increases after you make a complaint, take the following actions:

• Ask your landlord in writing why your rent is being increased and keep copies of all communications (email is best).
• Check the increase follows all notice requirements (correct amount of notice, only once a year, etc.).
• Gather a record of your complaints, maintenance requests, or any interaction that may have prompted the increase.

If you believe the rent increase is punishment (retaliatory), you can make an application to the ORT for a hearing.

How to Apply to the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT)

The form to dispute a rent increase or other landlord action is the Application for an Order of the Office of Residential Tenancies (Form 6). You can download Form 6 here from the government website.

When to use it: Submit this form if you think the rent increase is illegal or retaliatory.

Steps for Tenants Facing a Suspected Retaliatory Rent Increase

• Review your rental agreement and correspondence for any evidence of retaliation.
• Fill out the Application for Order (Form 6) with details about your situation and supporting documentation.
• Submit the form to the ORT by mail, fax, or in person as directed on their official rent increase page.
• Attend your scheduled hearing and present your evidence.

The ORT will review your case and decide if the landlord's actions are retaliatory. If found, the rent increase may be struck down.

Other Tenant Rights and Common Situations

Retaliatory rent increases sometimes follow maintenance or health complaints. If health or safety is involved, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting for protection steps. For a broad overview of tenant and landlord responsibilities, read Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

If you're searching for a new home after a dispute, Browse apartments for rent in Canada with Houseme's convenient tools.

For more Saskatchewan-specific housing rules, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Saskatchewan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rent Increases After a Complaint

1. Can my landlord raise the rent just because I made a complaint?
   By law in Saskatchewan, landlords cannot increase your rent as retaliation for you making a legitimate complaint or exercising your rights.
2. How much notice must a landlord give for a rent increase?
   At least 12 months for fixed-term leases, or 3 months for month-to-month agreements—notice must be given in writing.
3. What do I do if I suspect the rent increase is retaliation?
   Gather documentation, submit an Application for Order (Form 6) to the ORT, and prepare for a hearing.
4. What forms do I need to dispute the increase?
   Use the Application for Order (Form 6) from the Office of Residential Tenancies.
5. What if I need help understanding my rights?
   Contact the ORT or local tenant advocacy services for support and information.

Key Takeaways

• Retaliatory rent increases are not allowed under Saskatchewan law.
• You can challenge a suspected retaliatory increase through the ORT.
• Keep written records of all complaints and landlord communications.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT): Main provincial tribunal for disputes, information, and forms.
• Saskatchewan Government: Rent Increases Information
• Tenant advocacy organizations in Saskatchewan (such as local legal clinics) can offer free or low-cost advice.
• Saskatchewan Tenant Hotline: Call 1-888-215-2222 for questions or assistance.

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1. Read the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 of Saskatchewan
2. Visit the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) website for forms and guidance

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