Yukon Tenant Rights: Discrimination and Accessibility Guide

Every tenant in Yukon deserves a safe and fair place to live, no matter their background or ability. Knowing your rights around discrimination and accessibility can help you stand up for yourself, secure needed accommodations, and resolve problems if they arise. This guide breaks down what protections exist, what your landlord can and cannot do, and how to act if you face illegal treatment.

Understanding Discrimination: Your Protections as a Yukon Tenant

The Yukon Human Rights Act and the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act ensure tenants are protected from discrimination in rental housing. Landlords cannot refuse to rent or treat you unfairly based on factors like:

• Race, colour, ancestry, or ethnic origin
• Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity
• Religion or creed
• Age or marital status
• Disability or source of income
• Family status

Discrimination can happen in many forms—such as refusing to rent to someone with children, asking questions about disability, or implementing a policy that disproportionately affects a specific group.

Examples of Discrimination to Watch Out For

• Advertising “adults only” or “no children” units
• Refusing reasonable modifications for tenants with disabilities
• Unequal treatment in repairs, services, or rent increases

Accessibility Rules and Reasonable Accommodation

Tenants with disabilities have added protections under Yukon's laws. Landlords are required to make reasonable accommodations unless it causes them undue hardship. This may mean:

• Permitting a service animal even in a “no pets” building
• Allowing minor modifications (e.g., installing ramps or grab bars)
• Adjusting policies to ensure equal access

If you need changes to your unit or building because of a disability, request them in writing. Your landlord can ask for some supporting information but cannot require intrusive details about your medical condition.

Applying for Accessibility Accommodations

Practical steps for requesting accommodations:

• Inform your landlord in writing about the accommodation needed
• Explain how it relates to your disability (no need for detailed medical records)
• Work with the landlord to find a reasonable solution
• If your landlord refuses, contact the Yukon Human Rights Commission or consider a tenancy dispute

Filing a Discrimination or Accessibility Complaint

If you experience discrimination, you have several key options:

• File a complaint with the Yukon Human Rights Commission
• Submit a formal tenancy complaint to the Office of Residential Tenancies

Your complaint should include a description of what happened, who was involved, dates, and any supporting documents.

Official Forms You May Need

• Residential Tenancy Claim Form: Used to formally file a dispute about discrimination, repairs, or rights violations.
  Download the Residential Tenancy Claim Form
  Example: If a landlord refuses to make a reasonable accommodation for a disability, you can complete this form and submit it to the Office of Residential Tenancies.
• Yukon Human Rights Commission Complaint Form: To report human rights discrimination directly.
  Learn more and get the complaint form here
  Example: If you were denied a rental because of disability or family status, submit this form to the Commission.

The Office of Residential Tenancies is Yukon's authority for rental disputes. You can find information, guides, and forms: Yukon Office of Residential Tenancies.

Both the Human Rights Commission and the Office of Residential Tenancies will investigate complaints and aim to resolve them fairly.

Your Rights and Landlord's Responsibilities

Under the Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act¹, landlords must:

• Provide rental units free of discrimination
• Keep properties safe and accessible for all tenants
• Cooperate in making reasonable modifications for accessibility
• Follow the law when collecting deposits, ending tenancies, or increasing rent

For more on general rights and obligations, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon. You may also be interested in Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained if you want more detail on everyday rules.

If you are looking for a home where your rights are upheld, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme.

FAQ: Discrimination & Accessibility in Yukon Rentals

1. Can a landlord refuse to rent to me if I have a disability?
   No, landlords cannot refuse to rent to you due to a disability. They must also provide reasonable accommodations, unless doing so would cause undue hardship.
2. What should I do if my landlord won’t let me have a service animal?
   Service animals are a reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Inform your landlord in writing of your need. If they still refuse, you may file a complaint with the Yukon Human Rights Commission or Office of Residential Tenancies.
3. How do I ask for modifications to my unit for accessibility?
   Make your request in writing, explain the change needed, and describe how it relates to your needs. Your landlord must consider the request and can't unreasonably deny it.
4. Where can I get help if I believe I’ve been discriminated against?
   You can contact the Yukon Human Rights Commission for discrimination issues, or the Office of Residential Tenancies if it relates to your rental rights.
5. Does discrimination protection cover things like family status and income?
   Yes, Yukon law protects against discrimination based on family status and lawful source of income, among others.

How To: Taking Action Against Discrimination

1. How can I file a tenancy discrimination complaint in Yukon?
   Fill out a Residential Tenancy Claim Form and submit it, along with supporting documents, to the Office of Residential Tenancies.
2. How do I request accommodation for my disability?
   Write to your landlord explaining your needs and how the accommodation will allow you equal access to your home, then wait for their response.
3. Can I get help with filing a human rights complaint?
   The Yukon Human Rights Commission can help you with the process and answer questions before you file a formal complaint.

Key Takeaways

• Discrimination in Yukon rentals is illegal based on factors like disability, family status, and more
• Tenants have the right to request reasonable accommodations for accessibility needs
• If your rights are violated, you can file a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission or the Office of Residential Tenancies

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Yukon Human Rights Commission — support and complaint forms
• Office of Residential Tenancies — forms, info, and dispute resolution
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Yukon — complete guide to Yukon tenant rights

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1. Yukon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
2. Yukon Human Rights Act – Your Rights
3. Yukon Office of Residential Tenancies

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