Yukon Pet Damage Deposits: What Landlords Can Collect and When Deposits Must Be Returned

The government's guidance says a landlord may request a security deposit of up to one month's rent and a pet damage deposit of up to half of one month's rent. The pet deposit can only be collected once per tenancy, even where the tenant has more than one pet.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, "Security and pet deposits"]

The earlier Act's handbook took the opposite position. It said a landlord could not charge a separate or extra deposit for a pet or for fuel. The pet damage deposit is therefore a new allowance under the 2025 Act.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, Residential Landlord and Tenant Handbook (earlier Act); Government of Yukon, "The new Residential Tenancies Act"]

A landlord can ask for it at the start of the tenancy, or when a tenant acquires a pet during the tenancy. A landlord cannot request one if the landlord has previously permitted the tenant to have pets.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, "Security and pet deposits"]

The second rule catches landlords who allow a pet and think of the deposit later. If permission was given without a deposit, the sources reviewed say the request is off the table.

Tenants must pay the deposits within 30 days of the due date set in the tenancy agreement.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, "Security and pet deposits"]

Write the deposit amounts and the due date into the tenancy agreement, since the 30 days runs from that date.

The landlord and tenant must complete and sign a move-out condition inspection report together, and the landlord has to offer the tenant at least two good-faith opportunities to take part. Inspections are also required at the start of the tenancy.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, "Security and pet deposits"; "Responsibilities before, during and after a tenancy"]

Without a signed report, a landlord has little to show when claiming for damage.

The landlord must return the deposits with accrued interest within 15 days of the later of the date the tenancy ends and the date the landlord receives the tenant's forwarding address or e-transfer details in writing. The tenant has to provide that information to receive the refund.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, "Security and pet deposits"]

The e-transfer option is new. The 2025 Act allows deposits to be returned by electronic transfer.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, "The new Residential Tenancies Act"]

The 15-day period itself is not new. The earlier Act's handbook also gave 15 days from receiving a forwarding address or the tenancy ending, whichever was later. A landlord should read the "new refund trigger" as the addition of e-transfer details, and not as a change to the 15 days.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, Residential Landlord and Tenant Handbook (earlier Act)]

Deposits earn interest through the tenancy, and the landlord calculates interest on the full deposit even where deductions are planned. The government provides a deposit interest calculator.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, "Security and pet deposits"]

A landlord can withhold some or all of a deposit only if the tenant agrees in writing. If there is no agreement, the landlord must apply to the Residential Tenancies Office for dispute resolution within the 15 days.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, "Security and pet deposits"]

The government page does not list which deductions are permissible, and it does not set out the consequence of missing the 15-day deadline. A landlord who is close to the deadline with a disputed claim should contact the Residential Tenancies Office rather than assume more time.

[Cite: Government of Yukon, "Security and pet deposits"]

The sources describing the older Act come from a handbook whose date could not be confirmed, so the comparison in this article reflects that handbook.

Record at move-in whether pets are permitted and whether a pet deposit was collected, so a later request is not caught by the "already permitted" rule. Put deposit amounts and the due date in the tenancy agreement.

At move-out, book two inspection times in writing, collect the forwarding address or e-transfer details in writing and diarize day 15 from whichever date comes later.