Renting out property in Yukon
Yukon's new Residential Tenancies Act took effect on September 1, 2025, replacing the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. It ended evictions without cause, allowed pet deposits, and set a rent index tied to Whitehorse inflation. The government has said 2026 is the last year of the rent cap in its current form, and amendments to remove it have been tabled. The Residential Tenancies Office (RTO) resolves disputes.
Rent increases
- Rent control
- Rent cap (rent index) in effect for 2026; amendments to remove it have been tabled
- How often
- Once a year, and not in the first 12 months of a new tenancy agreement
- Written notice
- At least three months' notice on the approved Notice of Rent Increase form, served correctly
- Current guideline
- 2.6% for the 2026 rent index (May 15, 2026 to May 14, 2027). Notices served before December 1, 2026 must follow it. Proposed amendments would remove the cap from December 1, 2026; check with the RTO whether they have passed. Landlords can apply for up to 3 percentage points above the index for extraordinary expenses.
Security deposits
- Maximum
- One month's rent. Only one security deposit per tenancy agreement.
- Who holds it
- The landlord
- Interest
- Owed on the full deposit, even if deductions are planned, at the rates in Yukon's Security Deposit Interest Rates table. Interest is not compounded; Yukon publishes a calculator.
- Returning it
- Within 15 days of the later of the tenancy ending and receiving the tenant's forwarding address or e-transfer details in writing, return the deposits with interest, make deductions the tenant agreed to in writing, or apply for dispute resolution.
- Pet deposits
- Allowed: up to half a month's rent, only one regardless of the number of pets. You cannot ask for one if you already allowed the tenant to have a pet.
Other essentials in Yukon
- No evictions without cause: you can end a tenancy only for reasons in the Act, such as non-payment or repeated late rent, safety risks, landlord or purchaser family occupancy, major renovations, demolition or a change of use.
- Unpaid rent: wait five days after rent is late, then serve a 14-day notice. The tenant can void it by paying within seven days.
- Condition inspections: complete and sign them with the tenant at move-in (copy within 14 days) and move-out, offering two good-faith opportunities.
- Entry: only with proper notice or the tenant's permission. Neither party may change the locks without written permission.
- Algorithmic pricing: setting rent with algorithmic tools, including AI, is an offence.
How Propvara helps YT landlords
- Track the security deposit and pet deposit on each tenancy in tenancies and deposits, with alerts for any deposit that has no holder recorded.
- Timestamped photos and history on each repair case back up your condition inspection reports.
- Rent change history with effective dates shows when an increase is next allowed. Province-aware rent increase checks and notices will reflect whether the rent index still applies.Coming soon
- Short-term rental calendar sync for units you rent by the night, kept separate from long-term tenancies.
Yukon landlord questions
What is Yukon's rent cap for 2026?
The 2026 rent index is 2.6%. Notices served before December 1, 2026 must follow it. Amendments to remove the cap from December 1, 2026 have been tabled, so confirm the current status with the RTO.
Can I end a tenancy without a reason?
No. Since September 1, 2025, the Act no longer allows evictions without cause.
Can I charge a pet deposit?
Yes, up to half a month's rent, in addition to a security deposit of up to one month's rent.
When must I return deposits?
Within 15 days of the later of the end of the tenancy and receiving the tenant's forwarding address or e-transfer details in writing, with interest.
Official sources
- Yukon: Rent increases
- Yukon news: 2026 rent index set at 2.6 per cent
- Yukon: Security and pet deposits
- Yukon: Responsibilities during and after a tenancy
- Yukon: Residential Tenancies Act
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the Residential Tenancies Office (RTO) or a lawyer before acting.
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