Tenant Harassment Protections in Shared Housing in Yukon

Harassment in a rental or shared housing situation can create stress, disrupt your living environment, and negatively affect your well-being. In Yukon, tenants—including those living with roommates or in shared housing—are protected against harassment by both their landlord and fellow tenants. Understanding these protections, your rights, and the steps to take if you’re experiencing harassment can help you feel safer and more empowered in your rental home.

What Counts as Harassment in Yukon Rental Housing?

Harassment occurs when someone—such as a landlord, roommate, or another tenant—engages in behaviour that seriously bothers or intimidates you, or makes you feel unsafe in your home. In Yukon, the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Yukon) sets out tenant protections against harassment and requires all parties to respect each other's right to reasonable enjoyment of the premises¹.

• Repeated unwanted contact or communication
• Threats, intimidation, or verbal abuse
• Unreasonable noise or disturbance by a roommate
• Entering your personal space or bedroom without consent
• Any discrimination or bullying based on gender, race, religion, or other protected grounds

The law applies in all rental situations, including shared apartments, rooming houses, or houses with roommates.

Your Rights as a Tenant in Yukon Shared Housing

Yukon tenants have important rights to live free from harassment or undue disturbance. These include:

• The right to quiet enjoyment, meaning you can use your rental home without interference
• Protection from retribution or eviction because you complained about harassment
• Right to make complaints to your landlord or directly to the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office

If you’re interested in the full scope of rights and laws, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon.

What Landlords and Tenants Must Do

Under the Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, all parties in a rental agreement have legal expectations:

• Landlords must address reports of harassment and cannot ignore or dismiss them
• Roommates are required to respect each other’s privacy and right to enjoyment
• Tenants must not harass each other or the landlord

See more about mutual expectations in Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Practical Steps: What to Do If You Experience Harassment

If you feel harassed in your shared rental housing, here's what you can do:

• Document every incident. Write down dates, times, and what happened. Save texts or emails if relevant.
• Inform your landlord in writing. Describe the issue and ask for help resolving it. The landlord has a duty to address harassment claims.
• If the landlord is the source of harassment, you can still take action. Contact the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office for advice.

Applying to the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office

If your landlord does not resolve the issue or is involved in the harassment:

• File a formal complaint with the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office. The Office offers dispute resolution and can order the harassment to stop.
• Use Form 8 — Application to Director for dispute resolution. This form can be found on the Yukon government rental housing forms page.
  For example, if your roommate repeatedly threatens you and the landlord does not intervene, you can submit this form with your documentation.

Your complaint will be reviewed, and the Director can order remedies or take other actions to protect you.

What If Immediate Safety Is At Risk?

If you fear for your safety, contact the RCMP immediately by calling 911. You can still pursue a rental complaint afterward.

Keep a record of all interactions and incidents. This documentation can be crucial if you need to prove harassment or support your application to the Residential Tenancies Office.

Living Peacefully With Roommates

Successful shared housing relies on mutual respect. Set ground rules for common spaces, quiet hours, and resolving disagreements early on. If you’re unsure about shared living expectations, review our Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them.

For those looking for a new place with improved roommate dynamics, consider searching on Explore Houseme for nationwide rental listings.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do first if I am harassed by a roommate?
   Start by documenting each incident. Then, notify your landlord in writing. If the situation does not improve, consider applying to the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office for assistance.
2. Is my landlord responsible if one roommate harasses another?
   Yes. Landlords in Yukon must respond to and address complaints about harassment in the rental property, even if the conflict is between tenants.
3. Can my landlord evict me for complaining about harassment?
   No. It is illegal for landlords to retaliate or threaten eviction for making a complaint in good faith.
4. Are there specific forms for reporting harassment in Yukon?
   Yes. Use Form 8 — Application to Director, available through the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office, for formal complaints.
5. What legal protections apply to shared housing in Yukon?
   All tenants are protected by the Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, regardless of whether they share a home or live alone.

Summary: Key Takeaways

• Yukon tenants have strong protections from harassment in shared housing.
• Document incidents, notify your landlord, and use official forms if needed for dispute resolution.
• The Yukon Residential Tenancies Office can resolve disputes and enforce your rights.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Yukon Government: Rental Housing — Main portal for tenant and landlord resources
• Yukon Residential Tenancies Office — File complaints, access official forms, seek dispute resolution
• Yukon Rental Housing Forms — Download Form 8 and other paperwork
• For more on your legal rights, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon

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1. See the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Yukon) for full tenant protection laws.
2. For dispute resolution and forms, refer to the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office.

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