Language or religious discrimination can affect how tenants and renters find housing and interact with landlords in New Brunswick. This guide explains common examples of unfair treatment, what provincial protections apply, and clear steps a renter can take to document incidents, request repairs or reasonable accommodation, and begin a complaint. It uses plain language and practical examples so you can act with confidence whether you want to raise the issue directly with a landlord, use mediation, or file a formal complaint with provincial authorities. The information highlights timelines, evidence to collect, and the official places to get help in New Brunswick.
Understanding the law and who to contact
New Brunswick residents are protected from discrimination on the basis of religion and language under provincial human rights protections and tenancy rules. If you believe you faced discriminatory advertising, a refusal to rent, or different rental terms because of language or religion, you can contact the provincial human rights office or the residential tenancy authority to learn about remedies and filing options[3][2].
How discrimination commonly appears in rentals
- Refusal to rent or charging different rent, fees, or deposits based on language or religion.
- Rental listings that exclude speakers of a language or specify religion-based preferences in ads or screening criteria.
- Unequal treatment in lease terms, rules about visitors or practices, or denial of reasonable accommodation requests.
- Threats, harassment, or repeated negative communications based on language or religion that affect enjoyment of the rental.
What you can do right away
- Document the incident: save texts, emails, screenshots of ads, and take notes with dates and witness names.
- Communicate in writing: send a clear, calm message to the landlord asking for an explanation and keep a copy.
- Ask for reasonable accommodation if a religious practice or language need affects your tenancy; explain the request and proposed solution.
- If the issue is unresolved, consider filing with the Human Rights Commission or the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for New Brunswick as appropriate[3][2].
Forms and official steps
Below are common official forms or filings tenants may use in New Brunswick and when they apply. Always confirm the current form names and submission instructions on the official government pages before filing.
Application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal
Form name: Application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal (application form). When to use it: use this form to raise tenancy disputes such as unlawful eviction, lease term disputes, or failure to maintain habitability. Example: if a landlord changes your lease conditions or threatens eviction after you raised a discrimination concern, you can apply to the Tribunal to request an order or hearing on the matter. Official filing and instructions are available from the provincial tenancy authority[2].
Complaint to the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission
Form name: Human Rights Complaint Form (online or downloadable). When to use it: file this form if you believe you were discriminated against in housing because of religion, language, or other protected grounds. Example: if you were denied a unit expressly because of your religion or the listing restricted applicants by language, you can file to seek an investigation and possible remedies. See the Human Rights Commission for filing details[3].
Practical evidence checklist
- Save screenshots of listings, emails, texts, and any messages with dates and sender identification.
- Collect witness statements or contact details of neighbours who observed incidents.
- Keep a timeline of events showing dates, times, and steps you took to resolve the issue.
FAQ
- Can a landlord refuse to rent to someone based on language or religion?
- No. Refusing to rent to a person because of their language or religion is discriminatory and may be prohibited under New Brunswick human rights and tenancy rules. You can document the incident and consider filing a complaint.
- Should I contact my landlord first or file a formal complaint?
- It is often best to document the issue and ask the landlord for an explanation or accommodation in writing first. If the matter is not resolved, you can file with the Human Rights Commission or the Residential Tenancies Tribunal depending on the issue.
- Will filing a complaint affect my tenancy status?
- Filing a complaint should not legally justify retaliation. If you face threats or retaliatory eviction after filing, document everything and notify the tenancy tribunal or human rights office promptly.
How-To
- Gather evidence: collect messages, photos, screenshots, and a dated timeline of events.
- Contact the landlord in writing to request clarification or accommodation and keep copies of the exchange.
- Decide where to file: use the Human Rights Commission for discrimination claims or the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for tenancy disputes, and complete the relevant official form.
- Submit the form and attend any mediation or hearing with your evidence and a clear timeline.
Key Takeaways
- Both human rights protections and tenancy rules can apply when discrimination affects housing.
- Document everything and keep copies of all communications and listings.
- You can contact provincial authorities for help filing complaints and seeking remedies.
Help and Support / Resources
- [1] Residential Tenancies information (Government of New Brunswick)
- [2] New Brunswick Human Rights Commission
- [3] Service New Brunswick tenancy forms and guides
For general help finding rentals while you resolve a tenancy issue you can also Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme.
