Can Landlords Refuse to Rent to International Students in Northwest Territories?

Looking to rent an apartment or home in Northwest Territories as an international student? You may be wondering if a landlord can legally refuse your rental application based on your student or international status. This article breaks down your rights, landlord obligations, and how discrimination laws apply in the Northwest Territories rental market.

Landlord Screening and Discrimination Laws

Landlords in Northwest Territories have some discretion when choosing tenants. They can review credit history, income, rental references, and even request a security deposit for protection against damage. However, they cannot refuse to rent to someone based on certain prohibited grounds. The Northwest Territories Human Rights Act makes it illegal to discriminate in housing because of race, nationality, place of origin, religion, gender, age, disability, and other specified personal characteristics¹.

International Student Status: Is It Protected?

Being an international student is not specifically listed as a protected ground under the law. However, if a landlord refuses to rent to you because of your place of origin, citizenship, ethnicity, or another protected characteristic, that could be considered illegal discrimination. Landlords can ask for proof you have a legal right to rent in Canada, or request references—these are standard tenant screening practices.

Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities

Landlords must balance their right to select a suitable tenant with their legal obligations under both the Residential Tenancies Act (Northwest Territories)² and anti-discrimination laws. Acceptable reasons to decline a rental application include:

• Poor rental history or references
• Insufficient or inconsistent income
• Inability to pay the required Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know
• No legal right to reside in Canada

They cannot deny you housing solely because you are an international student or because of your ethnicity, citizenship, or place of origin.

Filing a Discrimination Complaint

If you think you have been refused as a tenant for a discriminatory reason, contact the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. You’ll need to provide:

• Your rental application and communications with the landlord
• Details showing how you believe discrimination occurred

The Commission provides a Complaint Form. You can find details and start the complaint process at the complaints portal. Follow the instructions to submit your case, and a Human Rights Officer may follow up for more information.

Tenancy Protections in Practice

Once you’ve signed a lease, your rights and responsibilities are protected under the Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories. If issues occur during your tenancy, such as health, safety, or rent payments, you can seek help from the Rentals Office, the main tribunal that handles residential tenancy disputes in the territory.

To understand what happens after signing the rental agreement, see What Tenants Need to Know After Signing the Rental Agreement.

Key Steps for Tenants

• Respond promptly to landlord requests and provide legitimate supporting documents (identification, proof of enrollment, immigration forms)
• If refused, request the landlord’s reasons in writing
• If you suspect discrimination, gather written evidence and contact the Human Rights Commission quickly
• For all rental listings and housing searches, consider using trusted resources like Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme

Remember, the Human Rights Act protects you from discrimination—even if you are not yet a tenant.

FAQ: Tenant Questions about Discrimination in Northwest Territories

1. Can a landlord ask about my student visa status or citizenship?
   Landlords can ask if you are legally able to reside and rent in Canada, which may involve your student visa or study permit. However, they should not use this information to discriminate against you for your nationality or place of origin alone.
2. What should I do if a landlord refuses my application?
   First, request clarification in writing about why you were declined. If the reasons appear discriminatory (e.g., based on your nationality), file a complaint with the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission.
3. Is having no Canadian rental history a valid reason for refusal?
   Yes, many landlords require rental history or references. Not having a history is not discrimination, but landlords must still treat all applicants fairly and consistently.
4. How can I strengthen my rental application as an international student?
   Collect a letter from your school, show proof of enrollment, present financial statements, and gather any references you may have from your home country.
5. Where can I find more information about my rights as a tenant?
   See Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories for a comprehensive overview.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

• Landlords may not refuse to rent based on prohibited grounds like nationality, place of origin, or ethnicity.
• International student status alone is not protected, but related discrimination may be unlawful.
• You can file a complaint if you suspect discrimination, and tenant protections apply once you have a lease.

Carefully review your rights, gather supporting documents, and use tenant-friendly rental platforms for your housing search.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission: Make a housing discrimination complaint
• Northwest Territories Rentals Office: Learn about dispute resolution and tenant help
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories

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¹ Northwest Territories Human Rights Act
² Residential Tenancies Act (Northwest Territories)

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