Tenant Rights When Rental Applications Are Rejected in Yukon

Renting a home in Yukon can be stressful, especially when your rental application is rejected. As a Yukon tenant, it's important to know your legal rights and what you can do if you suspect discrimination or unfair treatment. This article guides you through your protections, the laws that govern application rejections, and the steps to take if you believe your rights have been violated.

Can Landlords Refuse Rental Applications in Yukon?

Landlords in Yukon are allowed to set reasonable criteria for selecting tenants, such as credit history, income, and references. However, their decisions must comply with anti-discrimination laws set out in the Yukon Human Rights Act^[1]. This means landlords cannot reject your application due to race, nationality, sex, disability, age, or other protected grounds.

What Is Considered Discrimination?

According to Yukon's laws, discrimination happens when a landlord treats someone unfairly based on protected characteristics. Discrimination may include:

• Refusing to rent to you because of your ethnicity or religion
• Denying your application due to family status (such as having children)
• Rejecting you because of a physical or mental disability
• Any decision linked to protected grounds under the Human Rights Act

If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies as discrimination, see the Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon for more details on protected grounds and examples.

What Should You Do If Your Application Is Rejected?

If your application is rejected and you suspect it was for a discriminatory reason, you have the right to take action. Follow these steps:

• Ask the landlord, politely and in writing, for the reason your application was denied.
• Document any communication relevant to the rejection.
• Determine if the reason may violate the Yukon Human Rights Act.

If you believe you were treated unfairly, you can file a complaint with the Yukon Human Rights Commission. This commission investigates discrimination complaints related to housing.

How to File a Discrimination Complaint

The Yukon Human Rights Commission provides an official Discrimination Complaint Form. This form is used to start your complaint process.

• Name: Discrimination Complaint Form (no specific number)
• When to use: If you believe your rental application was turned down for discriminatory reasons.
• Where to find: Access the form and guidance here

Other Reasons Applications Can Be Rejected

Not all application rejections are against the law. Landlords can deny applications for reasons like:

• Unfavourable credit history
• Insufficient income
• Poor rental references

As long as these decisions are not influenced by discriminatory grounds, they are generally permitted. After acceptance, it's helpful to understand Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained to know what comes next if you're approved.

Relevant Legislation and Tenant Protections

Yukon's residential tenancies are governed by the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Yukon)^[2] and the Yukon Human Rights Act^[1]. For matters after signing a lease, such as rent, deposits, or repairs, see What Tenants Need to Know After Signing the Rental Agreement.

Yukon's Residential Tenancies Office oversees tenant-landlord matters. For more information, visit the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office.

Finding Rentals in Yukon

When searching for a rental, look for listings that clearly outline application criteria. For more resources and up-to-date rental listings, Browse apartments for rent in Canada to find suitable homes across Yukon and beyond.

FAQ: Tenant Application Rejection in Yukon

1. Can a landlord ask about my income or employment?
   Yes, landlords may ask for income or employment details, but they cannot use this as an excuse for discrimination based on protected grounds.
2. What can I do if a landlord rejected my application for having children?
   Having children is a protected ground under the Human Rights Act. File a complaint with the Yukon Human Rights Commission if you believe your rejection was based on family status.
3. Is there a fee to file a discrimination complaint?
   No, there is no fee to file a complaint with the Yukon Human Rights Commission.
4. Can I get help filling out the complaint form?
   Yes, the Commission provides guidance, and you can contact them directly for assistance with the process.
5. Where can I read more about tenant rights in Yukon?
   See the Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon page for a comprehensive overview.

Summary of Key Takeaways

• You have the right to be free from discrimination in the rental application process in Yukon.
• File a complaint with the Yukon Human Rights Commission if you believe your application was unfairly rejected.
• Familiarize yourself with rental laws to better understand your protections and responsibilities as a tenant.

Remember, most landlords follow the law. But if you face discrimination, support is available to help you assert your rights.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Yukon Human Rights Commission – Contact: Support for filing discrimination complaints
• Yukon Residential Tenancies Office: Information for tenants and landlords
• Yukon Housing and Property Programs: Additional tenant resources and assistance
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon: Learn more about your legal rights in Yukon

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1. Yukon Human Rights Act
2. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Yukon)

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