Illegal Rental Screening in Northwest Territories: Tenant Guide

As a tenant in the Northwest Territories, it's important to understand your rights when applying for a new rental home. Landlords must follow strict rules to ensure fair treatment and equal access to housing. This guide explains what constitutes illegal rental screening, what questions or documents a landlord can't ask for, and what you should do if you face discrimination in the rental process. By knowing these rules, you can navigate the rental market with confidence.

What is Rental Screening and Why Does It Matter?

Rental screening refers to the process landlords use to evaluate prospective tenants. This might include applications, reference checks, credit history reviews, and interviews. While some screening is reasonable and legal, there are limits—especially regarding your personal information and reasons for refusal.

In the Northwest Territories, tenant protection from discrimination is covered under the Residential Tenancies Act and the Human Rights Act.^1,2

Recognizing Illegal Rental Screening Practices

Certain questions or requirements are prohibited by law, as they may lead to discrimination or invasion of privacy. As a tenant, you should know the red flags of unlawful screening:

• Being asked about your race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, or disability.
• Requests for information about family status—such as whether you have children, plan to have children, or are married.
• Being required to provide your Social Insurance Number, unless it's absolutely necessary for a legal credit check (and even then, providing it is voluntary).
• Questions about your source of income (except to confirm ability to pay rent, not type—e.g., government assistance or employment status should not be a factor).
• Requests for medical or mental health details, unless related to accommodation needs.

Landlords may only collect information directly related to your qualifications as a tenant. Any other requests can point to illegal screening.

Commonly Misused Screening Tools

While credit checks, references, and previous rental history are common, they cannot be used to screen out protected groups. If you suspect a landlord is using a policy or question to indirectly discriminate, this is against the law.

Discrimination Protections Under the Law

The Human Rights Act (Northwest Territories) prohibits discrimination in rental housing based on several protected grounds. If you believe you were denied housing or were treated unfairly during screening for any of these reasons, you are protected by law:

• Race, colour, ancestry, place of origin
• Religion, creed
• Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity
• Family status or marital status
• Disability or age
• Source of income (type of legal income cannot be a reason to refuse)

The Residential Tenancies Act also outlines landlord and tenant rights and obligations for fair treatment throughout the tenancy.^1,2 If you want a comprehensive overview, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories.

Can a Landlord Ask for a Deposit During Screening?

While screening, a landlord may legally request a deposit after offering you the rental. However, there are rules about how much can be requested and how it's handled. For more, see Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know.

What To Do If You Experience Illegal Screening

If you think a landlord has discriminated against you or used an illegal screening practice, you have several options to protect yourself. Tenants in the Northwest Territories can file a complaint with the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission.

How to File a Human Rights Complaint

If you decide to file a complaint, you will need to complete and submit the Human Rights Complaint Form available on the official Human Rights Commission website. This includes a description of what happened, relevant dates, and any supporting documents or communications. For example, if you were refused a unit after disclosing you have children, state the facts and include any written correspondence.

The official tribunal handling tenant disputes and discrimination complaints is the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission and for tenancy issues, the Residential Tenancies Office manages enforcement of the Residential Tenancies Act.

Tips to Protect Yourself During Rental Applications

• Know your rights and protected grounds under the Human Rights Act.
• Be cautious sharing personal information—ask why it’s needed and if it’s required by law.
• Keep copies of application forms, emails, and communication with landlords.
• Report suspicious or discriminatory screening to the relevant authorities.

For more on your rights after moving in, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Looking for a safe place to start your search? Explore Houseme for nationwide rental listings with tenant resources and security in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kinds of questions are illegal during rental screening in the Northwest Territories?
   Landlords cannot ask about your race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, family status, or source of income, except to confirm you can pay rent—not the type of income.
2. Can a landlord deny my application based on my source of income (such as government assistance)?
   No, refusing to rent based on any legal source of income is discrimination and is prohibited under the Human Rights Act.
3. What should I do if I believe I was discriminated against when applying for a rental?
   Gather any evidence (emails, forms, notes) and submit a complaint to the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission as soon as possible.
4. Are there fees or penalties for landlords who conduct illegal screening?
   Landlords found to have discriminated may face penalties, orders to stop unfair practices, or be required to compensate tenants.
5. Where can I get help if I’m unsure about my rights or face discrimination?
   Contact the Residential Tenancies Office or the Human Rights Commission for advice and complaint processes. Resources are listed below.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Tenants

• Landlords in the Northwest Territories must follow anti-discrimination laws during screening.
• If asked for improper information, you can refuse and file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
• Stay informed of your rights and document all communications with potential landlords.

Knowing these protections will help you approach the rental process with more confidence and security.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission – Help with discrimination complaints
• Residential Tenancies Office – Support for tenancy disputes and questions
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories
• For official complaint forms and information: Human Rights Complaint Form

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

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