Living in rental housing in the Northwest Territories means you have certain individual rights and responsibilities. But did you know that tenants can take action together to resolve shared concerns? Understanding your rights to participate in protected collective actions can help you and your neighbours handle everything from maintenance problems to disputes about rent increases or safety conditions, without risking retaliation.
What Is a Protected Collective Action for Tenants?
In the Northwest Territories, a protected collective action refers to activities where tenants work together to address issues that affect all or most residents, such as repairing unsafe conditions, disputing unlawful rent increases, or advocating for fair treatment from their landlord. Examples include:
- Organizing meetings to discuss tenant rights and concerns
- Presenting a group complaint to your landlord about maintenance or health issues
- Forming a tenants' association
- Jointly submitting applications to the Office of the Rental Officer or attending hearings together
Collective tenant actions are explicitly protected under the Residential Tenancies Act of the Northwest Territories[1]. Landlords are not allowed to penalize, harass, or evict you for taking part in these lawful activities.
The Official Tribunal: Office of the Rental Officer
Tenant-landlord issues in the Northwest Territories are managed by the Office of the Rental Officer. This body helps resolve disputes, handle tenant complaints, and administer the Residential Tenancies Act (Northwest Territories).
Your Rights Under the Residential Tenancies Act
The Residential Tenancies Act specifically protects tenants who act collectively. Section 66 forbids landlords from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights individually or as a group, such as protesting unsafe living conditions or unpaid repairs. This means:
- Landlords can't increase your rent or threaten eviction because you joined with other tenants to make a complaint.
- Any attempt at retaliation can be challenged before the Rental Officer.
Common Types of Tenant Collective Actions
- Group complaints regarding essential services (heat, water, power)
- Joint applications for repairs or maintenance
- Combined requests for review of rent increases
- Participation in tenants’ organizations
How to Take Protected Collective Action
Here's a summary of steps for tenants in the Northwest Territories considering collective action:
- Talk with your neighbours to identify shared concerns.
- Document problems (photos, dated notes, communications with the landlord).
- Raise the issue in writing with your landlord, ideally signed by a group.
- If the issue is not resolved, file a collective complaint or application with the Office of the Rental Officer.
The official form for applying is the Application to the Rental Officer (Form 1: Application for an Order)—used when you want the Rental Officer to address a dispute, such as repairs not being made, illegal rent increases, or difficulty with essential services. View and download the Application for an Order (Form 1) here.
- When to use it: When a group of tenants wants the Rental Officer to make a decision or order a landlord to comply with the law.
- How to use: Complete the form, attach supporting documentation, and submit it to the address or email listed on the form.
Can a Landlord Retaliate If I Join a Tenant Group?
No. Retaliation is strictly prohibited. If you suspect you are being targeted for participating in collective action, you can file a complaint with the Rental Officer. Be sure to document all interactions as evidence. For more about rights and obligations for both parties, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.
Other Issues Commonly Raised in Collective Actions
- Health and safety code violations
- Chronic repairs being ignored
- Problems with pests or heating systems
- Disputes about lease renewals
If your group is facing unresolved concerns about building conditions, see Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them for practical steps.
While every province and territory has unique laws, tenants across the NWT have the same right to fair treatment as those in the rest of Canada. For a comprehensive overview, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories.
And if you're considering a change, you can Browse apartments for rent in Canada on Houseme for all of your housing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can my landlord evict me for joining a tenant group? No, the Residential Tenancies Act protects tenants from eviction, threats, or harassment for acting collectively to address legal concerns.
- How do we submit a group complaint? Gather supporting evidence and complete the Application for an Order (Form 1), listing all participating tenants. You can file the complaint together with the Office of the Rental Officer.
- Is there a fee to file an application with the Rental Officer? No. There are no fees for most tenant applications under Northwest Territories law.
- Does the law protect us if only some tenants choose to join? Yes, even if only some tenants participate, those individuals are protected from retaliation.
- Where can we get help filling out forms or preparing a case? Tenant advocacy resources, the Rental Officer, and local legal clinics can all provide free assistance to tenants.
Need Help? Resources for Tenants
- Office of the Rental Officer, Northwest Territories – rent dispute resolution, complaint forms, and legal guidance
- Residential Tenancies Act (NWT) – Full Official Text
- Northwest Territories Housing Corporation – housing support and programs
- Legal Aid NWT – free legal advice for qualifying tenants
- Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories – plain language tenant and landlord info
- Residential Tenancies Act (Northwest Territories). Read the legislation.
- Office of the Rental Officer. Official tribunal for rental disputes in NWT.
- Application for an Order (Form 1), Office of the Rental Officer. Official form and instructions.
