Human Rights and Rental Housing: Tenant Protections in Northwest Territories

Whether you're moving into a shared home or living in your own rental unit, understanding your rights under the Human Rights Act in the Northwest Territories is crucial. Discrimination in rental housing is not only unfair—it's illegal. This guide will help you recognize your rights, especially in roommate and shared accommodation settings, and show you how to take action if those rights are violated.

Human Rights and Rental Housing in Northwest Territories

Tenants are protected by the Northwest Territories Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in rental housing based on characteristics like race, age, disability, gender, family status, religion, and more¹. These protections apply not only to renting an entire apartment or house but also when seeking or living in a room or shared accommodation.

Key Protections for Tenants and Roommates

• Equal treatment: Landlords and roommates cannot refuse to rent to you, harass you, or treat you differently because of any protected characteristic.
• Accessibility: Landlords must accommodate tenants with disabilities, up to the point of undue hardship. This could mean allowing service animals or making minor unit modifications.
• No harassment: All tenants—whether in entire apartments or shared housing—are protected from harassment related to their human rights.

If you are renting with roommates, everyone in the home is entitled to a safe and discrimination-free living environment.

The Role of the NWT Rental Office

Residential tenancies in the Northwest Territories are overseen by the Rental Office of the Government of Northwest Territories. This office administers the Residential Tenancies Act (NWT)², which outlines the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in rental housing, including shared accommodations. If a dispute arises regarding your tenancy rights, you can apply to the Rental Office for resolution.

Common Human Rights Issues in Shared Housing

In shared housing, issues sometimes arise between roommates or between tenants and landlords. Examples include:

• A landlord or roommate refusing tenancy because of your gender or ethnicity
• Denial of a support animal for a tenant with a disability
• Harassment based on religion, age, or family status

If any of these happen, you have the right to file a complaint under the Human Rights Act.

Filing a Human Rights Complaint in Northwest Territories

If you believe your rights were violated in a rental context, you can file a formal complaint with the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. Here's how:

• Obtain and complete the Complaint Form (no specific number assigned).
• Submit it to the Human Rights Commission within two years of the discriminatory event.
• Describe what occurred, when, and how your rights were affected (provide witness statements or supporting documents if available).

The Commission will investigate and, if necessary, mediate or refer the complaint for further hearing.

Forms Used in Tenant Disputes

• Complaint Form (Human Rights Commission):
  Use this if you've experienced discrimination in rental housing. Available from the NWT Human Rights Commission. Complete it and submit to start the investigation process.
• Application Form (Rental Office):
  If your rental dispute is not human rights-related (e.g., maintenance, eviction), use the Application Form to request an order or mediation under the Residential Tenancies Act. For instance, if your landlord isn't making repairs, you can file this form with the Rental Office.

Your Rights as a Tenant: Roommates and Shared Homes

Even in roommate situations, your rights are protected. All tenants must be treated fairly, and your privacy, dignity, and safety are respected by law.

Learn more about your legal protections by visiting Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories.

For those just moving into a new place, review Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained to get familiar with key rules.

Looking for a new rental? Explore rental homes in your area with Canada's best rental listings platform.

FAQs about Human Rights and Shared Rental Housing

1. What should I do if my landlord refuses to rent to me because of my age or background?
   You can file a complaint with the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. Discrimination on these grounds is illegal under the Human Rights Act.
2. Are support animals allowed in rental homes in Northwest Territories?
   Yes, landlords are required to accommodate tenants with disabilities, which can include permitting support animals, unless it causes undue hardship.
3. Do these protections apply if I am only renting a room in someone else's home?
   Yes. Human rights protections apply whether you rent a whole unit or just a room in a shared home.
4. How do I file a human rights complaint in residential tenancy cases?
   Download and complete the Complaint Form from the Human Rights Commission's website, then submit it within two years of the incident.
5. Can my roommate harass me based on my gender, religion, or other protected characteristic?
   No. Human rights laws protect tenants from harassment by anyone in your rental home, including roommates.

Key Takeaways

• The Human Rights Act (NWT) protects all tenants from discrimination and harassment in rental housing.
• These protections cover full-unit rentals and roommate/shared housing situations.
• Complaints can be filed with the NWT Human Rights Commission or the Rental Office, depending on your issue.

Understanding your rights makes for safer, fairer housing—and ensures you can act if issues arise.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission – Help with discrimination complaints.
• NWT Rental Office – For rental disputes under the Residential Tenancies Act.
• NWT Rental Property Association – Information for landlords and tenants.
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories – Quick guide to NWT rental laws and rights.
• Explore rental homes in your area – Find your next home easily.

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1. Northwest Territories Human Rights Act, official act here.
2. Northwest Territories Residential Tenancies Act, full PDF.
3. NWT Rental Office info, official site.
4. NWT Human Rights Commission, complaint process.

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