Winter in Yukon means extra responsibility for keeping walkways safe. As a tenant, you may share duty with your landlord for clearing snow and ice, but exact responsibilities depend on your lease, municipal bylaws and Yukon tenancy rules. This article explains how liability for slips and falls is determined, what steps to take after an incident, and how to document injuries or property damage. It covers official forms, evidence collection, common lease clauses, and when to contact the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office. Use this plain-language guide to understand renter obligations, protect your health, and preserve your legal options after a winter fall.
Tenant responsibilities under Yukon rules
Whether a tenant or landlord is liable for a slip depends on three things: the written lease, municipal snow-clearing bylaws, and Yukon tenancy legislation. Many leases include a clause about exterior maintenance. If your lease says you are responsible for clearing a walkway, follow it; if it does not, the landlord may still have a duty to maintain safe entry and common areas. For general renter safety and habitability guidance see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting and review your rights in Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.
Common tenant responsibilities
- Maintain safe entrance steps and walkways (shoveling, salting, clearing ice) as your lease requires.
- Report hazardous conditions to your landlord in writing and keep copies as evidence.
- Follow any building or strata rules about snow removal and storage of snow on-site.
Liability after a slip: what to do
If you or a visitor slips, act promptly. Your immediate priorities are health and evidence. If the injury is serious, seek medical help first and ask for documentation of your visit. Then document the scene with photos, time-stamped notes, and witness names. If the hazard was a walkway or stair leading to your unit, report it to the landlord in writing and keep a copy of the message. You may also need an official application to the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office if the landlord fails to address a dangerous condition and it affects habitability or safety [1].
Official forms and when to use them
- Incident report or written notice to your landlord — use this to formally tell the landlord about the hazard, date and time, and ask for remediation; keep a signed or time-stamped copy for your records.
- Application to the Residential Tenancies Office — use this when the landlord does not fix a dangerous condition and you need an adjudicator to decide on repairs, compensation or orders; this is the formal way to request a remedy in Yukon [2].
- Notice to End Tenancy (if habitability is seriously affected) — in rare cases where safety cannot be restored, tenants may use termination notices following Yukon rules; get advice before proceeding [3].
Documenting evidence that helps a claim
Good evidence increases the chance of a successful claim. Collect dated photos from multiple angles, medical reports, receipts for related expenses, written reports sent to the landlord, and witness statements. Keep a log with times and short descriptions. If you file an application with the Residential Tenancies Office, attach this evidence and explain steps you took to get the landlord to fix the problem.
FAQ
- Who decides liability after a slip on snow or ice?
- Liability is decided by looking at the lease, local bylaws, the facts (who had control of the area) and whether reasonable care was taken. An adjudicator at the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office can decide disputes if the parties cannot agree.
- What should I do immediately after a fall?
- Seek medical attention if needed, photograph the scene, get witness names, report the hazard to the landlord in writing, and keep all records and receipts.
- Can a landlord penalize me for reporting a hazard?
- No, retaliation for exercising tenancy rights is generally prohibited; keep records of communications and consider filing with the Residential Tenancies Office if you face harassment.
How-To
- Document the scene right away with clear photos and a short written note of date, time and location.
- Seek medical attention if needed and get a copy of any medical report or bill.
- Send a written notice to your landlord describing the hazard and the remedial action you want.
- Save receipts, repair estimates, and witness contact details to support any claim for costs or damages.
- Apply to the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office if the landlord does not address the hazard and you need an order or compensation.
Help and Support / Resources
- Yukon Residential Tenancies Office
- Residential tenancies information on Yukon.ca
- Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Yukon)
