Accessibility Rights for Tenants with Disabilities in Northwest Territories

Access to safe, accessible housing is a fundamental right for all tenants in the Northwest Territories, including individuals with disabilities. If you live in shared housing or with roommates, understanding your protections and responsibilities ensures that your home remains both comfortable and in compliance with territorial laws. Navigating these rights can feel overwhelming, but knowing the key rules helps you advocate for your needs and maintain harmonious living arrangements.

Your Accessibility Rights as a Tenant with Disabilities

Tenants with disabilities in the Northwest Territories are protected by both territorial legislation and the Canadian Human Rights Act. The Residential Tenancies Act (NWT) ensures equal access to housing, protects against discrimination, and outlines a landlord’s obligation to make reasonable accommodations.^[1]

• You cannot be refused a tenancy or evicted solely because of your disability.
• Landlords must make reasonable efforts to accommodate accessibility needs, unless it creates undue hardship (such as major structural changes or extreme costs).
• Service animals are permitted in most tenancies under accessibility law, even if a "no pets" policy is in place.

If you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission or apply for remedies through the Office of the Rental Officer.

Reasonable Accommodations in Shared Housing

Living with roommates or in shared accommodations means balancing everyone’s needs. Landlords and co-tenants must respect accessibility modifications (such as grab bars or ramps), provided these do not create health or safety risks for others. If you require physical changes or policy adjustments, put your request in writing and include relevant details (for example, from a healthcare provider).

• Examples of accommodations: installing visual fire alarms, widening doorways for mobility devices, or modifying lock systems for easier use.
• Landlords generally cannot charge extra for reasonable accessibility modifications.

Maintaining Health and Safety in the Rental

Ensuring that accessibility features do not create hazards is a shared responsibility for all tenants. For more information about keeping your home safe, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

Forms and Official Procedures for Accessibility Requests

If your landlord refuses a reasonable accommodation or you wish to dispute an accessibility issue, you may apply to the Office of the Rental Officer. Forms and information are available on their official website.^[2]

• Application to the Rental Officer (Form 7): Use if you need a formal order addressing denial of accommodation or discriminatory practices. After completing the form, submit it with supporting documents to the Rental Office.
  Official link: Application Forms – NT Rental Officer
• Human Rights Complaint Form: If you believe you have experienced discrimination, file a complaint with the NWT Human Rights Commission.

Understanding Rights and Responsibilities

Both tenants and landlords in the Northwest Territories have specific obligations. For a full overview, refer to Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained and Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories. Key rights include:

• Right to non-discriminatory housing
• Right to reasonable accommodation for disabilities
• Obligation to keep the rental in a clean and safe state
• Requirement to return the unit in good repair, accounting for agreed modifications

Remember that in most cases, you must restore the unit to its original condition (unless the landlord waives this right) when moving out if permanent changes were made.

Action Steps: Requesting Accessibility Accommodations

To help tenants know what to do if accessibility becomes an issue:

• Document your accessibility needs and potential modifications (medical note or support letter can help).
• Make your request in writing to your landlord, detailing what is needed and why.
• If your request is denied or ignored, contact the NWT Rental Office or the NWT Human Rights Commission.
• File the appropriate form if you wish to dispute the decision.

If you need to find housing with accessible features, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme, filtering for your specific needs and location.

FAQ: Accessibility and Disability Rights in NWT Rentals

1. Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because of my disability?
   No, this is prohibited under the NWT Human Rights Act. Landlords must accommodate disabilities to the point of undue hardship.
2. Who pays for accessibility modifications?
   Landlords generally pay for reasonable modifications, unless they are extremely expensive or fundamentally alter the property. Tenants and landlords can agree on sharing costs if modifications are extensive.
3. Do I need to tell my roommates about my disability?
   You are not legally obligated to disclose a disability to roommates, but voluntary communication can help ensure cooperative accommodations.
4. Can my service animal be excluded because of building rules?
   No. Service animals must be accommodated regardless of building "no pets" policies in most cases.
5. Where can I get help if I am denied accessibility accommodations?
   Reach out to the Office of the Rental Officer or the NWT Human Rights Commission for advocacy and complaint support.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Tenants

• Tenants with disabilities in the Northwest Territories have robust legal protections against discrimination and barriers to accessibility.
• Landlords must make reasonable accommodations; tenants should document all requests.
• Official forms and support agencies are available to resolve disputes and enforce your rights.

With the right knowledge and resources, tenants with disabilities can secure accessible, welcoming homes across the territory.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Office of the Rental Officer, Northwest Territories – Information, forms, and tenant dispute resolution
• NWT Human Rights Commission – Discrimination complaints and advocacy
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories – Complete overview of tenant and landlord laws and obligations
• For accessible apartment listings, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme.

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1. Residential Tenancies Act (NWT)
2. Office of the Rental Officer, NWT – Official Forms

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