Yukon Tenant Discrimination & Accessibility Checklist

Facing discrimination or accessibility barriers as a tenant in Yukon can be challenging, especially if you're unsure of your rights or what steps to take. This comprehensive checklist empowers Yukon tenants to spot, address, and prevent discrimination or accessibility issues. With the right knowledge and resources, you can create a safe, respectful rental experience for everyone.

Who Is Protected from Discrimination in Yukon Rentals?

Under the Yukon Human Rights Act^[1], tenants have the right to equal treatment in housing, free from discrimination based on factors such as:

• Race, national or ethnic origin
• Religion or creed
• Age or sex
• Sexual orientation or gender identity
• Disability or perceived disability
• Family status, marital status, or source of income

These protections mean landlords cannot refuse to rent to you, evict you, or provide lower-quality services because of your protected characteristic.

Accessibility Rights for Tenants

Accessibility in housing means rental homes must reasonably accommodate tenants with disabilities. Landlords are generally required to:

• Permit modifications for accessibility (such as ramps or accessible fixtures) unless it's an undue hardship
• Consider requests for service animals, even in no-pet buildings
• Communicate in accessible ways

A landlord does not have to agree to a change that causes undue hardship (significant cost or health and safety risks), but must consider each request seriously.

Your Discrimination and Accessibility Checklist

• Review your lease: Make sure it contains no discriminatory clauses. For more information on understanding your lease, What Tenants Need to Know After Signing the Rental Agreement can help.
• Request accommodations in writing: Outline your needs and possible solutions—for example, permission to install grab bars or allow a guide dog.
• Document all interactions: Keep records of conversations, requests, and responses with your landlord.
• Know your building’s policies: Policies must not unfairly impact protected groups unless justified by a legitimate purpose.
• Seek inspection if living conditions seem unsafe or unfit: Accessibility is part of safe living standards. Learn more in Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.
• Contact the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office for tenancy concerns: They handle complaints and technical breaches under the Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act^[2].
• Refer to Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon for a detailed summary of your legal protections.

Review this checklist when moving in, if you encounter a new barrier, or if you witness possible discrimination.

Filing a Discrimination or Accessibility Complaint

If a landlord refuses a reasonable accommodation or discriminates against you, take these steps:

• Communicate your concern in writing with clear details and desired outcome.
• Gather all supporting evidence.
• If unresolved, contact the Yukon Human Rights Commission to file a formal complaint using their official Complaint Form (no official form number).
• Submit your complaint as soon as possible, ideally within 18 months of the incident.

If systemic issues persist, you may also raise the concern with the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office.

Official Forms for Yukon Tenants

• Complaint Form – Yukon Human Rights Commission:
  • Purpose: Used to begin a human rights complaint about discrimination or lack of accommodation.
  • Where to find: Official Complaint Form
  • Example: A tenant uses this form if their landlord won’t allow a medically required service animal.

Yukon’s Residential Tenancies Office does not have a specific discrimination complaint form, but general tenancy applications or maintenance requests can be made here if your issue relates to habitability or repair.

The Role of the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office

The Yukon Residential Tenancies Office handles tenancy law and most disputes. However, the Yukon Human Rights Commission is the correct body for complaints about discrimination or failure to accommodate disabilities.

Extra Support for Moving In and Finding Rentals

For tenants seeking accessible homes or support throughout their rental process, Explore Houseme for nationwide rental listings to search for accessible rental options across Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do if my landlord refuses a necessary accessibility modification?
   Start by making your request in writing with details of the modification and why it is needed. If refused, collect evidence and consult the Yukon Human Rights Commission for next steps.
2. Are emotional support animals protected in Yukon rentals?
   In many cases, service and support animals are considered an accommodation for a disability and landlords should make exceptions. Check first with the Human Rights Commission for your specific situation.
3. Where do I file a human rights complaint as a tenant?
   For discrimination or failure to accommodate, file with the Yukon Human Rights Commission. For rental disputes not involving human rights, contact the Yukon Residential Tenancies Office.
4. Can a landlord set rules that negatively affect only certain groups?
   If a rule has a negative impact on protected groups without valid justification, it may be discriminatory under the Yukon Human Rights Act.
5. What if I need both repairs and accessibility changes?
   You can request repairs through the Tenancies Office and accessibility changes through the Human Rights Commission if necessary. Sometimes both issues can be flagged together.

How To: Address Discrimination or Accessibility Issues as a Yukon Tenant

1. How do I request an accessibility accommodation?
   Write to your landlord detailing your needs, provide relevant medical or support documentation if required, and suggest possible solutions.
2. How do I gather evidence of discrimination?
   Save all emails and correspondence, take dated notes on incidents, and, where possible, obtain witnesses.
3. What steps do I take if my complaint is ignored?
   After a written request with no response, submit a complaint to the Yukon Human Rights Commission with your evidence.
4. How can I escalate if the issue is urgent?
   Contact tenant advocacy organizations or file an urgent application with the Residential Tenancies Office for immediate assistance.

Summary of Key Takeaways

• Tenants in Yukon are protected from discrimination and have rights to accessible housing under the law.
• Document all requests and responses, and act quickly if your rights are not respected.
• The Yukon Human Rights Commission is the avenue for human rights complaints; the Residential Tenancies Office handles other rental disputes.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Yukon Human Rights Commission – Information and complaint forms for discrimination and accessibility issues.
• Yukon Residential Tenancies Office – For rental disputes, maintenance, and housing information.
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon – Your provincial tenant rights guide.

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1. Yukon Human Rights Act (RSY 2002, c. 116), see legislation.
2. Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RSY 2002, c. 76), see legislation.

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