Nunavut Tenant Guide: Discrimination & Accessibility Help

As a tenant in Nunavut, facing discrimination or accessibility challenges with your rental can be stressful and confusing. Knowing your rights and responsibilities is crucial, especially when navigating issues around unequal treatment or barriers to accessible housing. This guide explains Nunavut’s laws, practical steps to address problems, and where to seek additional support for tenants experiencing discrimination or accessibility issues.

Understanding Discrimination and Accessibility in Nunavut Rentals

Discrimination in housing means treating someone differently or unfairly because of protected characteristics such as race, religion, age, gender, disability, or family status. Accessibility refers to making sure homes can be used by people of all abilities, such as those with mobility aids.

• Discrimination is illegal under the Nunavut Human Rights Act ^[1].
• Landlords must not refuse applicants, raise rent, or evict tenants based on protected characteristics.
• Tenants with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation, such as installing accessibility ramps or other changes, unless it causes significant hardship (undue hardship) for the landlord.

Protected Grounds of Discrimination

In Nunavut, protected characteristics include:

• Race, colour, ancestry, national & ethnic origin
• Religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation
• Family status, marital status, disability, and more

If you need more details on Nunavut's rental regulations and tenant protections, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nunavut.

Your Right to an Accessible Home

Tenants with physical or mental disabilities have the legal right to request reasonable changes—called accommodations—to ensure they can access and enjoy their home fully.

• Examples: Installation of grab bars, visual fire alarms, or designated accessible parking.
• Landlords should work with tenants to provide these, unless it is too expensive, dangerous, or otherwise imposes undue hardship.

Dealing with Discrimination or Denied Accessibility Requests

If you believe your landlord has discriminated against you or denied a reasonable accessibility request, there are steps you can take:

• Document all incidents, emails, or written communication.
• Contact the landlord in writing to clarify your request or concerns. Keep copies of all correspondence.
• If the issue is not resolved, you can file a formal complaint with the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal ^[2].

Forms and Processes for Nunavut Tenants

While Nunavut does not have a large suite of rental forms, if you want to file a discrimination complaint, you use:

• Human Rights Complaint Form (Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal)
  Use this form if you believe you have faced discrimination or have not received a reasonable accessibility accommodation in your rental. Download the form directly from the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal forms page. It should be completed and submitted to the Tribunal for investigation and possible mediation or hearing.
  For example, if your landlord refuses to allow the installation of a wheelchair ramp, you would use this form to launch a complaint.

Nunavut Tenancy Law: Your Protections

Rental rules, eviction, maintenance, and tenant-landlord relations in Nunavut are covered by the Nunavut Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) ^[3]. Complaints related to rental contracts, repairs, or housing conditions are handled by the Nunavut Rental Office. Discrimination and accessibility cases are handled by the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal.
If you want to review more about your obligations and those of your landlord, visit Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Trouble with Repairs or Health and Safety and Discrimination

Sometimes repairs that allow accessibility (like ramps or wider doorways) are related to overall health and safety. In these cases, tenants can also contact the Rental Office. For guidance on maintenance and tenant safety, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

What If Your Application Was Denied?

If you were denied a rental because of a protected reason (such as being a parent, using a wheelchair, or for your race or gender), you can:

• Ask the landlord for a reason in writing.
• File a human rights complaint as described above.
• Gather evidence (e.g., rental ads, emails, witness statements).

If you’re looking for an accessible rental, Browse apartments for rent in Canada for listings that help you filter by accessibility features.

FAQ: Nunavut Discrimination & Accessibility Issues

1. What should I do if my landlord refuses an accessibility request?
   If your request is reasonable and necessary (like grab bars or ramps), first explain your needs in writing and offer to discuss. If refused, you can file a complaint with the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal.
2. Is it legal for a landlord to refuse me based on family status or disability?
   No, it's illegal under the Nunavut Human Rights Act for landlords to refuse to rent based on protected characteristics such as family status, disability, or other protected grounds.
3. Where do I file a discrimination complaint as a tenant in Nunavut?
   You should file a complaint with the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal. You can use the Human Rights Complaint Form found on their official site.
4. Can the landlord increase my rent or try to evict me after I request an accommodation?
   No, landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for exercising their rights to request an accessibility accommodation or for filing a human rights complaint.
5. Where can I read more about my rental rights?
   For a comprehensive overview, check Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nunavut.

How to: File a Discrimination or Accessibility Complaint in Nunavut

1. How do I document discrimination in my rental search?
   Keep copies of emails, ads, landlord messages, and note dates/times of conversations. Written evidence makes your case stronger if you file a complaint.
2. How do I ask my landlord for an accessibility accommodation?
   Contact your landlord in writing. Be specific about your request and explain why it is necessary for you.
3. How can I file a formal complaint?
   Go to the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal forms page and download the Human Rights Complaint Form. Fill it out with your details and submit as directed. The Tribunal will contact you for next steps.
4. What happens after I file a complaint in Nunavut?
   The Tribunal will review your submission, may try mediation, and if unresolved, will hold a hearing.

Key Takeaways

• Discrimination and lack of accessibility are illegal under Nunavut’s laws.
• Request changes or report concerns to the landlord in writing and keep records.
• For unresolved issues, the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal offers direct help.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal – File discrimination or accessibility complaints and learn about your legal rights.
• Nunavut Rental Office – For rental disputes, maintenance, evictions, and general inquiries.
• Nunavut Legal Aid – Free legal advice and tenant advocacy if you qualify.
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nunavut – Local overview of protections and obligations.

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1. [1] Nunavut Human Rights Act
2. [2] Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal (nshr.ca)
3. [3] Nunavut Residential Tenancies Act (Nunavut Courts)

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