Understanding your rights about discrimination and accessibility is essential for a safe and fair renting experience in New Brunswick. Whether you’re new to renting or relocating, recognizing what counts as discrimination, what laws protect you, and how to ask for accessibility accommodations can help you secure and maintain a suitable home. This guide explains the basics in plain language, outlines important legal protections, and offers practical steps if you believe your rights as a tenant have been violated.
Your Legal Protections in New Brunswick Rentals
New Brunswick tenants are protected against discrimination by both the Residential Tenancies Act and the Human Rights Act of New Brunswick.[1] These laws make it illegal for landlords to deny you housing or treat you unfairly based on certain personal characteristics, such as:
- Race, color, or ethnic origin
- Religion or creed
- Disability (including physical, mental, or learning disabilities)
- Age
- Sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity
- Marital or family status
- Source of income (including social assistance)
Landlords cannot ask questions or refuse to rent to you based on any of these grounds.
What is Discrimination in Housing?
Discrimination occurs when a landlord refuses to rent, evicts, or treats you differently because of a personal characteristic protected by the law. For example, a landlord denying a unit because you use a wheelchair or receive government assistance is discriminatory and not legal under the New Brunswick Human Rights Act.[2]
Accessibility: Your Right to Accommodation
If you have a disability or need changes in your rental to accommodate your needs, you have the right to ask for reasonable accommodations. This could mean requesting ramps, grab bars, visual alerts, or permission for a service animal. The landlord must seriously consider your request—unless the change would cause them undue hardship (for example, extremely high cost or major structural changes).
- Put your accommodation request in writing.
- Explain what you need and why—it may help to provide a doctor’s note.
- If your request is refused, you can file a complaint with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission.
What to Do if You Experience Discrimination
If you believe a landlord has discriminated against you or failed to make a reasonable accommodation, you can:
- Collect any written communications, ads, or notes about the interaction.
- File a complaint with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission using their complaint form.
- Contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal of New Brunswick to report possible violations of your tenancy rights.[3]
Both organizations can investigate and help resolve your concerns.
Key Tenancy Documents and Forms
When addressing discrimination or asking for accessibility accommodations, these forms and processes are useful for New Brunswick tenants:
- Human Rights Complaint Form: Use this to formally report discrimination or lack of accommodation. Download from the NB Human Rights Commission website, fill it out, and return it by mail or email. Example: A tenant denied permission for a service animal should submit this form.
- Application for Assistance – Residential Tenancies Tribunal: Use if you want the Tribunal to help mediate or address an issue related to your rental. More information and the form are available at the official Rental Rights portal.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
Tenants and landlords in New Brunswick both have clear legal rights and responsibilities. To learn how these relate to accessibility and discrimination, review our Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained resource.
For a full overview, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick.
Looking for an Accessible Home?
If you need accessible rentals, remember that landlords cannot legally refuse based on your needs. For a wide selection of listings, you can browse apartments for rent in Canada on Houseme, including accessible units tailored to different needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because I have a disability?
No. The law protects tenants in New Brunswick from discrimination due to disability. Landlords must offer reasonable accommodation unless it creates undue hardship. - How do I file a complaint if I experience discrimination?
Complete the Human Rights Complaint Form and submit it to the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission. You can also seek assistance from the Residential Tenancies Tribunal. - Am I allowed to have a service animal in my rental?
Yes, landlords must allow service animals as part of your right to reasonable accommodation, even if there's a 'no pets' policy. - What if my landlord doesn’t make necessary accessibility changes?
If a reasonable accommodation request is denied, you can file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission for investigation and resolution. - Should my rental agreement mention accessibility or discrimination?
While not required, it’s a good idea to have any accommodations or agreements about accessibility in writing for protection.
How To: File a Discrimination Complaint in New Brunswick
- How do I submit a discrimination complaint?
Download the Human Rights Complaint Form from the NB Human Rights Commission website, complete your details, attach evidence, and send it as directed on the form (by mail or email). - What steps are involved?
1. Download and fill out the complaint form. 2. Write a summary of events and gather supporting documents. 3. Submit your form. 4. Wait for the Commission to contact you for follow-up. - Can the Tribunal help me if I face discrimination by my landlord?
Yes, if your complaint relates to your tenancy, the Residential Tenancies Tribunal accepts applications for assistance that can include discrimination-related issues.
Summary: Key Takeaways
- Discrimination in rental housing is prohibited under New Brunswick law.
- Tenants have the right to reasonable accessibility accommodations.
- Support is available from the NB Human Rights Commission and Residential Tenancies Tribunal.
Need Help? Resources for Tenants
- New Brunswick Human Rights Commission – Discrimination complaints, forms, and information
- Residential Tenancies Tribunal of New Brunswick – Tenancy issues, mediation, inquiries
- Service New Brunswick – Renting and You resources
- Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick
- New Brunswick Residential Tenancies Act: View the full legislation here
- New Brunswick Human Rights Act: View the full legislation here
- Residential Tenancies Tribunal: Official Tribunal Information
