Tenant Discrimination Rights in Northwest Territories

Every tenant in the Northwest Territories has the right to fair and equal treatment, free from discrimination—whether in a private apartment, shared house, or roommate arrangement. If you're worried about tenant discrimination from a landlord or while seeking a shared rental, knowing your legal protections and practical next steps is important for your safety and peace of mind.

What is Tenant Discrimination?

Tenant discrimination happens when a landlord, property manager, or even a future roommate treats you unfairly because of protected characteristics, such as your race, religion, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, or family status. This unfair treatment can show up at any stage of renting, from the application process to the end of your tenancy.

Examples of Discrimination in Shared Housing

• Refusing to rent a room or home to you based on your ethnicity, gender, or another protected characteristic
• Setting different rules, rent, or deposits because of your religion or family status
• Harassment or disrespectful treatment by other tenants or roommates, condoned by the landlord

It's important to know that protections apply whether you're renting an entire unit or just a room in shared housing.

Your Rights Under Northwest Territories Law

The Residential Tenancies Act (NWT)[1] and the Northwest Territories Human Rights Act[2] prohibit discrimination in rental housing. These laws ensure all tenants are protected and have equal opportunity to housing, regardless of personal characteristics.

• Landlords cannot advertise, select, or evict based on discriminatory grounds
• Roommate agreements cannot override your rights under the Acts
• Harassment or hostile environments due to discrimination are not allowed

Who Enforces Tenant Rights?

The NWT Rental Office handles rental disputes, while the NWT Human Rights Commission investigates human rights complaints, including in housing.

Knowing the Basics: Your Legal Protections

• Landlords may ask about your ability to pay rent, but cannot ask about your race, religion, or other protected grounds
• Rental deposits must be requested and handled fairly (Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know)
• All rental agreements must abide by the Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories

How to Respond to Tenant Discrimination

If you believe a landlord or roommate has discriminated against you, don't panic—clear steps exist to help you assert your rights and seek resolution.

Action Steps for Tenants

• Document Everything: Keep emails, texts, and notes of any discriminatory comments or actions.
• Communicate clearly with the landlord, ideally in writing, about the issue. Stay calm and factual.
• If needed, contact the NWT Rental Office for help with disputes involving landlords.
• For human rights complaints, contact the NWT Human Rights Commission and complete the NWT Human Rights Complaint Form (no number; used when you want to file an official human rights complaint about discrimination). You can submit this form online or by mail. Example: If denied a rental due to your religion, submit this form with your evidence.
• For urgent concerns (e.g., immediate threat or eviction due to discrimination), seek legal support or tenant advocacy advice promptly.

Roommates and Shared Housing: Special Considerations

Shared housing and roommate situations follow the same anti-discrimination rules as traditional tenancies. Even if the "landlord" is also your roommate, they must follow applicable laws. The key is: the law protects tenants in all living arrangements.

• If you and your roommate have a conflict about discrimination, try to solve it amicably first, but know that official complaint channels are also available if needed.

Obligations for Tenants and Landlords

Both landlords and tenants must act fairly, respectfully, and be aware of their legal obligations. For more on this topic, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

For a broader look at tenant laws and issues in your territory, check Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories for up-to-date information.

House hunting? Search Canadian rentals with interactive map view to find options across the country and reduce stress in your rental search.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tenant Discrimination

1. What counts as discrimination when applying for a shared rental?
   Discrimination happens if a landlord or roommate treats you unfairly because of characteristics protected by law (like race, gender, or disability) rather than your rental references or ability to pay.
2. Can a landlord refuse me as a roommate for any reason?
   No—they cannot refuse you based on protected grounds such as religion or sexual orientation. They can only assess criteria like credit or rental history.
3. How do I start a human rights complaint in Northwest Territories?
   Fill out the NWT Human Rights Complaint Form and submit it to the NWT Human Rights Commission, preferably with evidence supporting your claim.
4. What are my protections after signing a roommate agreement?
   Even after signing, your rights under the Human Rights Act and Residential Tenancies Act remain. Agreements cannot override these legal protections.
5. Who can help me if I feel unsafe due to discrimination?
   Contact the NWT Human Rights Commission for discrimination or the NWT Rental Office for tenancy issues. Advocacy services or legal clinics can also provide added support.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

• Tenancy laws in Northwest Territories protect you from discrimination, whether you’re renting solo or sharing a place.
• Document all incidents and know that official forms and resources are available to help you.
• If issues arise, both the Rental Office and Human Rights Commission are there to assist tenants in resolving discrimination complaints.

Understanding and asserting your rights, even in complex shared housing situations, is the key to a safe and fair rental experience in the Northwest Territories.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• NWT Rental Office — tenancy disputes, forms, information
• NWT Human Rights Commission — human rights complaints in housing, advice
• NWT Residential Tenancies Act — official legislation
• Northwest Territories Human Rights Act — full statute
• General info: Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Northwest Territories

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1. See: Northwest Territories Residential Tenancies Act
2. See: Northwest Territories Human Rights Act

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