Discrimination and Accessibility Rights for Tenants in Northwest Territories

Facing discrimination or accessibility barriers in your rental home can feel overwhelming. If you rent in the Northwest Territories, it's important to know your rights and the practical steps to take if you experience unfair treatment. This guide outlines anti-discrimination laws, accessibility requirements, complaint processes, and tenant resources specific to the Northwest Territories, with simple steps to help you take action.

What Counts as Discrimination in the Northwest Territories?

Discrimination means being treated unfairly because of characteristics such as:

• Race, national or ethnic origin
• Religion or creed
• Sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity
• Age
• Family status (like having children)
• Disability (physical or mental)
• Source of income

Under the Northwest Territories Human Rights Act¹, it is illegal for landlords to deny housing, set different rental terms, or harass tenants based on these protected grounds. Discrimination can occur during the application process, while you are renting, or when your lease is being renewed or ended.

Understanding Accessibility in Your Rental Home

All tenants with disabilities have the right to live in homes that are safe and accessible. Landlords in the NWT must accommodate disabilities up to the point of "undue hardship." This might include:

• Allowing service animals
• Adding ramps or grab bars
• Permitting visual alarms for the hearing impaired
• Flexible policies for parking or visitors assisting care needs

If you request an accommodation, your landlord can ask for reasonable documentation, but cannot unfairly refuse. They only have grounds to decline if changes would cause serious financial or health/safety risk.

How Discrimination and Accessibility Issues Often Arise

• Your rental application is rejected with no clear reason after you disclose a disability
• Lease terms are different because you have children
• Your landlord refuses to consider reasonable changes for accessibility
• Harassment from landlords or other tenants based on protected grounds

If any of these situations apply, you may have the right to file a complaint.

How to Address Discrimination or Accessibility Issues

Knowing what steps to take can help you resolve problems quickly and protect your housing rights.

Step 1: Document Everything

• Write down dates, times, and details of discriminatory or inaccessible treatment
• Save texts, emails, or letters about your requests or complaints
• Keep copies of rental applications and lease agreements

Step 2: Communicate with Your Landlord

Often, issues can be solved by having a calm, written discussion with your landlord. Clearly explain your situation, refer to your legal rights, and suggest reasonable solutions. If you need more tips on dealing with conflict, see How to Handle Complaints in Your Rental: A Tenant’s Guide.

Step 3: Know the Law and Your Options

The Residential Tenancies Act (Northwest Territories)² sets your landlord’s basic obligations, while the Human Rights Act protects you against discrimination.

For a summary of your rights and responsibilities, including discrimination and accessibility, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories.

Step 4: File a Formal Complaint if Needed

• If your landlord does not resolve the issue, you can file a discrimination complaint with the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission.
• The process is free and confidential. Fill out the "Human Rights Complaint Form" found on the Commission’s website and submit it as instructed.
• For rental matters (like eviction after making a disability accommodation request), you may also apply to the Northwest Territories Residential Tenancies Office using their Application for Orders and Request for Hearing form.

Processing times and outcomes may vary, but you are protected from retaliation for asserting your rights.

Relevant Forms and How to Use Them

• Human Rights Complaint Form: Use this to start a claim about housing discrimination. Example: You’re refused a rental after revealing a service animal. Get it from the official Human Rights Commission website.
• Application for Orders and Request for Hearing (NWT RTO): Use this to ask the Residential Tenancies Office to enforce your rights under the Residential Tenancies Act, like requiring your landlord to permit an accessibility modification. Find it at the Residential Tenancies Office official forms page.

Follow the instructions provided on each agency's website when submitting your forms. Attach supporting documents and keep a personal copy.

Other Common Issues Facing Tenants

If you face issues beyond discrimination—such as repairs, pest infestations, or communication breakdowns—check out Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them for practical guidance.

Online Tools for Finding Accessible Housing

Looking for rentals that suit your accessibility needs? Explore Houseme for nationwide rental listings and filter for features like wheelchair access or pet-friendly units.

1. What is the time limit for filing a discrimination complaint about a rental in the Northwest Territories?
   In most cases, you have two years from the date of the last incident to file a complaint with the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission.
2. Must my landlord allow my service animal?
   Yes. Under both human rights law and the Residential Tenancies Act, landlords cannot refuse you solely because of a service animal required for your disability.
3. What if my landlord tries to evict me after I make an accessibility request?
   Retaliation for asserting your rights is illegal. Document the situation and seek help from the Human Rights Commission or Residential Tenancies Office immediately.
4. Does my landlord have to make expensive renovations for accessibility?
   Landlords must accommodate up to undue hardship. Significant disruptions or massive cost may justify refusal, but each case is considered individually.
5. Can I get support for discrimination complaints in a language other than English?
   The NWT Human Rights Commission can arrange translation or interpretation services—inform them of your needs when you file or inquire.

1. How do I file a discrimination complaint about my landlord?
   Download and fill out the Human Rights Complaint Form from the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission’s website. Attach your documentation and submit by mail, email, or in person as listed on the form.
2. How do I ask my landlord for an accessibility accommodation?
   Write a letter or email explaining your needs and referencing your rights. Provide medical or other documentation only if requested. Keep copies for your records.
3. How do I apply to the Residential Tenancies Office if my landlord won’t cooperate?
   Fill out the Application for Orders and Request for Hearing form from the Residential Tenancies Office website. Submit your completed form and any supporting evidence to the RTO using the instructions provided.

Key Takeaways

• You are protected from discrimination and have the right to accessible housing under NWT law.
• Document your concerns and communicate clearly in writing with your landlord.
• Help is available: you can file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission or Residential Tenancies Office if issues aren't resolved directly.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission – File discrimination complaints and access support
• Residential Tenancies Office (NWT) – Apply for official orders, learn your rights, and access forms
• Legal Aid NWT: Free legal assistance for qualifying tenants, call 1-800-661-0792
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories – For a simple overview of tenant rights and landlord obligations in the NWT

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1. Northwest Territories Human Rights Act (S.N.W.T. 2002, c. 18)
2. Residential Tenancies Act (NWT), R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. R-5

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