Several changes to legislation supporting victims fleeing sexual violence came into effect on Monday.

The new amendments, laid out in The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act, 2021 and The Residential Tenancies Amendment Regulations, 2021, allow victims of sexual violence to end a fixed-term lease by providing 28-days’ notice to their landlord.

“We are determined to protect survivors of sexual violence, who are often particularly vulnerable,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said.  “With these changes, the government is taking all available steps to make victims feel safe in their living arrangements.”

The changes allow victims of sexual violence to escape dangerous living situations by terminating their lease early without paying financial penalties that would otherwise arise from their early termination.  Tenants wishing to take advantage of the protections offered by the legislation must serve a notice to end the tenancy and a certificate from Victims Services to their landlord.

The amendments mirror recent changes to The Saskatchewan Employment Act, which extended protections for victims of interpersonal violence to victims of sexual violence.

These changes include revisions to the Standard Conditions of a Tenancy Agreement that reflect the updated legislation.  Landlords and tenants looking for more details on how these changes will affect them can find information, forms and documents online at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/ort.