Tenants in British Columbia have important protections under the Human Rights Code that apply to all types of rental housing, including roommates and shared accommodations. Knowing your rights can help you prevent discrimination and ensure fair treatment—whether you are moving in, dealing with a landlord, or sharing space with others.

What Is the Human Rights Code?

The British Columbia Human Rights Code is a provincial law that prohibits discrimination based on characteristics such as race, sex, sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, and more. The Code applies to tenancy relationships and protects applicants, tenants, and former tenants from unfair treatment.

How Does the Code Apply to Rental Housing?

Landlords, property managers, and sometimes roommates must follow the Human Rights Code when renting out housing. Discriminatory treatment—such as advertising 'female tenants only' or refusing to rent to someone with children or a disability—is generally prohibited. This includes most shared accommodation situations, except in some cases where the landlord also lives in the unit and shares a kitchen or bathroom.

• Protected areas include:
• Renting, subletting, or assigning a unit or room
• Conditions and rules of the tenancy (including guests and amenities)
• Eviction, rent increases, and repairs

For full details on legal responsibilities in British Columbia, see Tenant Rights in British Columbia.

Understanding Discrimination in Shared Housing

Discrimination means being treated unfairly because of a characteristic protected by law. Common examples in rental housing include:

• A landlord rejecting an application based on ethnicity, marital status, or religion
• Advertising for roommates by specifying requirements that illegally exclude protected groups
• Refusing reasonable accommodations for disabilities (such as permitting a service animal)

Some exceptions exist—such as sharing a bathroom or kitchen with the owner (the 'shared accommodation exemption'), but even then, the Code still prohibits advertising that discriminates, and rent collection must be fair. For an overview on repairs and responsibilities in shared rentals, read Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

What Should You Do If You Experience Discrimination?

If you believe your rights have been violated, you can:

• Document the incident (screenshots, emails, dates, and details)
• Contact the landlord and try to resolve the matter in writing
• File a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal

Official Forms for Tenants Facing Discrimination

• Human Rights Complaint Form – Use this form to start a formal complaint about discrimination. Access the BC Human Rights Complaint Form.
• When to use it: If a landlord, roommate, or property manager refuses housing or changes your rental terms for discriminatory reasons.
• How to use it: Download and fill out the form, describe what happened, and submit it with any documentation. The Tribunal will review your case and respond with next steps.

If discrimination has affected your ability to pay rent, understand processes for payment and your rights—see Tenant's Guide to Paying Rent: Rights, Responsibilities, and Tips.

Relevant Legislation and Tribunal

• The British Columbia Human Rights Code – Governs anti-discrimination in tenancies. Read the Human Rights Code.
• Residential Tenancy Act – BC’s main rental law. See the Residential Tenancy Act.
• The BC Human Rights Tribunal is the official body for discrimination complaints: bchumanrights.ca

Key Steps: How to Make a Human Rights Complaint in BC

• Review the grounds of discrimination under the Code
• Gather all evidence (emails, messages, ads, notes)
• Fill out and submit the BC Human Rights Complaint Form
• The Tribunal will review your submission and respond within three days

Protecting your rights helps keep rental markets fair. For nationwide listings and accessible homes to suit any situation, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the Human Rights Code apply if the landlord lives in the same house?
   The Code may offer limited protection in "shared accommodation" situations when the landlord shares kitchen or bathroom facilities. However, advertising must still not discriminate, and other rules apply.
2. Can I be evicted for having a service animal?
   No, landlords must provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities, including service animals, under the Human Rights Code and the Residential Tenancy Act.
3. Can a landlord refuse my application because I have children?
   No, "family status" is a protected ground. Refusing to rent to parents with children is generally prohibited except in certain shared accommodation exemptions.
4. What should I do first if I experience discrimination?
   Document everything that happened, keep all related communications, and consider making a complaint to the BC Human Rights Tribunal.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• BC Human Rights Tribunal – File discrimination complaints, get guides and forms.
• Residential Tenancy Branch – BC government office for tenancy laws, forms, and support.
• Tenant rights information and rental laws: Tenant Rights in British Columbia
• Local tenant advocacy: TRAC (Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre) – tenants.bc.ca

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1. British Columbia Human Rights Code
2. Residential Tenancy Act (British Columbia)
3. BC Human Rights Tribunal

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