Landlord Shut Off the Power or Water in Saskatchewan? What Tenants Can Do

If your landlord shut off utilities in Saskatchewan, such as the power, water or gas the landlord supplies, the law is on your side. The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 says a landlord must not terminate or restrict a service or facility unless the tenant agrees or the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) has issued an order allowing it (s.43(1)). Utilities and related services are expressly a "service or facility" (s.2(o)(ii)).

Can a landlord cut the utilities because rent is late?

No. Late rent has its own procedure: a notice once rent is more than 15 days overdue, then an application for possession (s.57). A landlord can only take back a unit if the tenant leaves or the landlord gets an order of possession and a writ goes to the sheriff (s.65). Turning off water to force a move short-circuits that process. See how eviction works in Saskatchewan.

What should I do today?

1. Confirm the cause. Check with neighbours or the utility whether it is a wider outage.
2. Ask in writing. Text or email the landlord asking for service to be restored, and keep the reply.
3. Record it. Note the time service stopped, take photos (a dark panel, dry taps), and log every contact.
4. Apply to the ORT. File a Breach of Tenant's Rights application. While the tenant still lives in the unit, the ORT Rules of Procedure class it as urgent.

What can the ORT order?

A hearing officer may make any order that is just and equitable, including ordering the landlord to stop the contravention and comply, and ordering damages (s.70(6)(a), (c)). Where a service was restricted, the officer can reduce rent or direct other compensation (s.43(3)(b)). You are entitled to compensation for loss caused by the breach, such as spoiled food or a hotel night, as long as you kept the loss reasonable (s.8). The ORT hearing guide covers the fee and the process.

Frequently asked questions

Is it an offence?

Contravening the Act is an offence on summary conviction: up to $500 and six months for an individual, up to $1,000 for a corporation (s.79(1)–(2)). A conviction does not remove the duty to comply (s.79(7)).

What if the utility is in my name?

Then a shut-off for non-payment is between you and the provider. Section 43 protects services the landlord supplies.

What if the landlord says it is for repairs?

The landlord must keep supplied services in good repair (s.49(1)(b)), and a repair can briefly interrupt one; see who fixes what. An open-ended cut-off with no repair under way is not a repair, and s.43 applies.