Many renters in Newfoundland and Labrador face discrimination or accessibility barriers that affect their housing. This guide explains, in plain language, how tenant and renter rights intersect with the NL Human Rights Act, what counts as discrimination, and practical steps you can take to document concerns and file a complaint. It is written for people who are not legal experts and focuses on realistic examples like denied accommodations for a disability, harassment by a landlord, or rules that treat some tenants differently. You will find clear next steps, official forms, and links to provincial services to help you pursue a housing-based human rights claim.
How the NL Human Rights Act applies to housing
The NL Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in housing on protected grounds such as disability, family status, race, sex, and other characteristics. That means a landlord cannot refuse to rent, evict, or impose different rules because of a protected ground unless there is a lawful and justifiable reason. If you face barriers to accessibility or are treated differently because of a protected characteristic, the Human Rights Commission can accept a complaint and investigate.
Examples of covered problems
- Denied or delayed reasonable accommodation requests for a disability.
- Different rental rules applied to certain families or racial groups.
- Harassment, threats, or coercive behaviour linked to a protected ground.
If your issue also affects repairs, safety, or habitability, you may use both the human rights process and tenancy dispute options.
When to consider a human rights complaint versus a tenancy application
Use a human rights complaint when the main issue is discrimination or the lack of accommodation. Use tenancy dispute processes for issues like rent, eviction notices, or repair orders. You can pursue both processes in parallel when matters overlap — for example, if a landlord evicts you after you request an accessibility change.
For local guidance on tenant and landlord rules see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Newfoundland and Labrador and for help preparing a complaint see How to Handle Complaints in Your Rental: A Tenant's Guide.
FAQ
- Can I file a human rights complaint and a tenancy application at the same time?
- Yes. You can file with the Human Rights Commission for discrimination and also use the Residential Tenancies Division for rent, repairs, or eviction issues; the two processes handle different legal questions.
- What counts as a reasonable accommodation for a disability?
- A reasonable accommodation is a practical change that allows you to use and enjoy your rental without imposing undue hardship on the landlord, for example a parking or entry modification or a permission for an assistive animal where rules would otherwise ban pets.
- How long will the complaint process take?
- Timelines vary: initial intake and attempts at mediation may take weeks, while full investigations or hearings can take several months depending on complexity and caseload.
How-To
- Record the incident and gather evidence such as dated photos, texts, emails, witness names, and a short written timeline.
- Contact the landlord in writing to request a fix or accommodation and keep copies of all messages.
- Complete the Human Rights Complaint Form and submit it to the NL Human Rights Commission [1]; include your evidence and a clear explanation of what outcome you want.
- If your issue involves tenancy matters like eviction or repairs, complete the Residential Tenancies application or request dispute resolution with Service NL [3] while your human rights complaint proceeds.
- Attend any mediation or intake meetings and respond promptly to requests for more information or documents.
Help and Support / Resources
- NL Human Rights Commission — filing and inquiry information
- Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Act — legislation
- Service NL — Residential Tenancies Division information and forms
