Is Your Yukon Rent Increase Legal? A Tenant’s Guide

If you’re renting in Yukon and have received a notice of rent increase, it’s essential to know whether your landlord is following the law. Yukon tenants are protected by specific rules about when and how much your rent can be raised. This guide will help you understand your rights, the correct process for rent increases, and what to do if you think your rent hike isn't legal.

Who Sets the Rules for Rent Increases in Yukon?

Yukon’s residential tenancy laws are governed by the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.S.Y. 2012, c. 20). Disputes and questions are handled by the Yukon Residential Tenancy Office (RTO).

What Are the Legal Requirements for a Rent Increase?

For a rent increase to be legal in Yukon:

• Your landlord must give proper written notice at least three months (90 days) in advance before the increase takes effect.
• Rent increases can only occur once every 12 months for the same tenant.
• The notice must be in the correct form and must state the new rent amount and the date it will begin.

There is currently no formal government cap on how much the rent can be increased in Yukon, unless your agreement says otherwise. However, all other rules about notice and timing must be followed.

Required Form for Rent Increases

Landlords must use the Notice of Rent Increase (Form 3) provided by the Yukon Residential Tenancy Office.

• Form Name: Notice of Rent Increase (Form 3)
• When to Use: Your landlord must give you this form at least 90 days before any rent increase. For example, if your landlord wants to raise your rent starting July 1, they must give you the notice by April 2.
• Official Source: Download the official Notice of Rent Increase (Form 3)

Notices that don’t use the correct form or don’t give proper advance notice are not valid.

Steps to Check if Your Rent Increase is Legal

• Confirm you received an official Notice of Rent Increase (Form 3) from your landlord.
• Check the date on the notice matches the required 90 days advance notice.
• Ensure the last rent increase (if any) was at least 12 months ago.
• Verify the notice includes your name, unit address, current and new rent amounts, and the start date for the new rent.

If anything is missing, or the timing isn’t correct, you may have grounds to dispute the increase.

What to Do If Your Rent Increase Is Not Legal

If you believe your rent increase notice does not comply with the law:

• Contact your landlord in writing to explain the issue.
• If the issue isn’t resolved, you can apply to the Residential Tenancy Office to dispute the increase by filing the Application to Director (Form 9).

• Form Name: Application to Director (Form 9)
• Usage Example: Use if you want the Residential Tenancy Office to review your rent increase dispute.
• Official Source: Application to Director (Form 9)

The Yukon Residential Tenancy Office can review the situation and determine if the rent increase is valid under the Act.

Examples of Invalid Rent Increases

• Your landlord gives you only 30 or 60 days’ notice instead of 90.
• The notice is delivered verbally, by text message, or in an informal letter.
• A new increase happens before 12 months have passed since the last one.

If any of these apply to you, you should not pay the increased amount and can contact the RTO for advice.

Your Rights and Resources

Both tenants and landlords have responsibilities according to Yukon law. Learn more about your protections and obligations at Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon.

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FAQ: Rent Increases in Yukon for Tenants

1. How much notice does my landlord need to give for a rent increase?
   In Yukon, landlords must give at least 90 days’ written notice using the official form before the rent increase takes effect.
2. How often can my landlord increase the rent?
   Rent can be increased only once every 12 months for the same tenant or rental unit.
3. Is there a limit to how much rent can be increased in Yukon?
   Currently, Yukon does not place a cap on the percentage or amount of a rent increase, but all required notice and timing rules must be followed.
4. What form must my landlord use to tell me about a rent increase?
   The official Notice of Rent Increase (Form 3) from the Yukon Residential Tenancy Office must be used.
5. What if I think my rent increase is illegal?
   Contact your landlord in writing first. If it’s not resolved, file an Application to Director (Form 9) with the Residential Tenancy Office to dispute it.

Key Takeaways for Yukon Rent Increases

• Rent increases must follow Yukon’s strict notice and timing rules.
• If you get an invalid notice, you have the right to dispute it through the Residential Tenancy Office.
• Always double-check the dates and details on any notice you receive.

Being informed helps you protect your rights and avoid paying more than you have to.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Yukon Residential Tenancy Office – Guidance, forms, and dispute resolution
• Yukon Public Legal Education Association – Free legal information for tenants
• For more about tenant and landlord rights in Yukon, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon

1. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.S.Y. 2012, c. 20): Full text of the Act
2. Yukon Residential Tenancy Office: Official website
3. Notice of Rent Increase (Form 3): Download the official form
4. Application to Director (Form 9): Official form from Yukon government