Can You Be Evicted in Yukon for Contacting the LTB or City Inspectors?

If you’re a tenant in Yukon, you may worry about speaking up about needed repairs or reporting safety issues, wondering if it puts your housing at risk. This article explains whether your landlord can evict you for contacting the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office (the LTB equivalent in Yukon) or local city inspectors. We’ll break down your rights, protections in Yukon, and the important steps you can take.

Tenant Protections: Speaking Up About Issues

Yukon law gives tenants the right to live in a rental unit that meets health and safety standards and to request repairs or report concerns to authorities. Landlords cannot legally evict you or threaten eviction just for:

• Filing a complaint with the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office
• Contacting health or city building inspectors about your rental unit
• Asking your landlord to perform repairs or maintain the property

These activities are your legal rights under the Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act¹. If a landlord tries to evict you after you’ve raised concerns or involved the authorities, it may be considered a “retaliatory eviction,” which is not permitted.

What is Retaliatory Eviction?

Retaliatory eviction is when a landlord tries to remove a tenant for exercising their legal rights, such as reporting issues or filing a complaint. Yukon’s tenancy laws protect tenants from this behavior.

How to Respond if Your Landlord Gives an Eviction Notice

If you receive an eviction notice after contacting the Tenancies Office or inspectors, here are vital steps you should follow:

• Do not ignore the notice. Review it carefully—note the date, reason, and the form used.
• Gather supporting evidence: communications, maintenance requests, emails, photos, or inspection reports that relate to your complaint or the property condition.
• Respond to the notice in writing to your landlord, stating you believe the eviction may be retaliatory and unlawful.
• Apply to the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office to dispute the eviction or seek advice.

Relevant Forms and How to Use Them

To protect your rights or challenge a potential retaliatory eviction, you may need to use the following official forms:

• Tenant Application Form (Form 18)
  This form is used to request a hearing with the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office, for example, to dispute an eviction you believe is retaliatory.
  Example: If your landlord gives you a month’s notice after you report a repair issue to city inspectors, fill out Form 18 to request a decision.
  Available at: File a tenancy complaint (Government of Yukon)
• Notice of Termination
  Landlords must use the correct notice form, including clear reasons for ending a tenancy. If the reason is clearly tied to your recent complaint or application, keep the notice for evidence when disputing the action.

Read more about tenants’ and landlords’ legal responsibilities in Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

What are Valid Reasons for Eviction?

Landlords can only evict under certain conditions outlined in the Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, such as:

• Non-payment of rent
• Significant property damage
• Repeated late rent payments
• Illegal activity in the unit
• Landlord requires unit for personal use (with proper notice and grounds)

Evicting you solely because you contacted authorities is not a valid ground. For more on tenant rights and common problems, see Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them.

Reporting Health or Safety Concerns

Unsafe conditions—like lack of heating, unsafe wiring, or pest infestations—may require you to involve government inspectors. These reports cannot lawfully be used as a basis for eviction. For more details see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

If you’re searching for your next home, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme for a selection of listings across all provinces and territories, including Yukon.

For the full scope of rental rights in your region, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon.

FAQ: Yukon Tenants and Retaliation

1. Can I be evicted in Yukon for reporting repairs or contacting inspectors?
   No. Yukon law prohibits retaliatory evictions. Landlords cannot evict you for exercising your rights, such as filing complaints or contacting inspectors.
2. What should I do if I receive an eviction notice after making a complaint?
   Do not ignore the notice. Gather evidence of your complaint, document all communications, and contact the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office to challenge the eviction.
3. What forms are needed to dispute an eviction in Yukon?
   Use the Tenant Application Form (Form 18) available from the government to request a hearing and contest the eviction notice.
4. Are there valid reasons my landlord can evict me?
   Yes—such as unpaid rent, serious property damage, or landlord’s personal use of the unit. Reporting safety issues is not a valid reason.
5. Is my tenancy protected when I report unsafe or unhealthy conditions?
   Yes. You have the right to a safe and healthy home, and reporting hazards is fully protected under Yukon law.

Conclusion: What Yukon Tenants Should Remember

• Retaliatory eviction is illegal in Yukon—landlords cannot end your tenancy for contacting authorities.
• Use the Tenant Application Form to dispute unfair eviction and get support from the Residential Tenancies Office.
• Keep copies of all written communications, notices, and inspection reports for your records.

Knowing your rights helps you feel confident when speaking up about needed repairs or unsafe conditions in your rental home.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Yukon Residential Tenancies Office – Rental Housing Rights and Responsibilities
• File a tenancy complaint (Official forms and contact)
• Phone: 867-667-5944 | Toll-Free (Yukon): 1-800-661-0408 ext. 5944
• Email: rto@gov.yk.ca
• Local tenant advocate groups or legal clinics (search online for Yukon-based organizations offering advice)

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1. Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
2. Residential Tenancies Office – Government of Yukon

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