The Yukon government is looking for the public’s input into its new rental laws.
The new Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has already been passed in the legislature, but before it can be brought into force it must go through a round of public feedback, said Michael Noseworthy, a spokesman for the Department of Community Services.
The major changes under the new act have to do with setting minimum rental standards and creating a new dispute settlement process outside the courts in the soon-to-be-created residential tenancy office.
Right now, Noseworthy explained, if tenants have complaints with landlords, or vice versa, they have to apply to the courts to make a ruling. The new office would give the Department of Community Services the power to make decisions and issue orders to settle disputes.
The regulations to be included in the act are being developed right now, Noseworthy said, and input from Yukoners will help balance the rights of tenants with those of landlords.
The feedback period will last until March 11, and anyone interested in commenting can go to the Yukon government website or visit any of the community libraries in the territory.
Once the feedback is collected, the government will use it to help craft the act’s regulations. Noseworthy said the whole thing should be in force by the end of 2014.