Discrimination & Human Rights in Ontario Housing

As a tenant or renter in Ontario you have rights that protect you from unfair treatment in housing. This guide explains what counts as discrimination, which provincial laws and tribunals handle housing and human rights concerns, and practical steps you can take if you believe a landlord or housing provider treated you unfairly. It uses plain language to help you document incidents, understand required forms and deadlines, and decide whether to file with the Landlord and Tenant Board or the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Keep receipts, messages and photos to support your case and learn how to seek help without escalating conflict unnecessarily.

Understanding discrimination in housing

Discrimination happens when a person is treated differently because of a protected characteristic such as race, disability, family status, sex, religion or age. In Ontario, both the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and the Human Rights Code apply: tenancy issues such as illegal evictions or refusal to accommodate a disability can involve the Landlord and Tenant Board and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario respectively ^[1][2]. Where rights overlap, you may file with one or both tribunals depending on the remedy you need.

Common examples of housing discrimination

• Refusing to rent to someone because of race or ethnicity.
• Declining a rental application because a tenant has children or is pregnant.
• Not accommodating a tenant with a disability who needs a reasonable change or an accessible unit.
• Charging different terms or fees because of a protected ground.

Which tribunal or law handles what

The Landlord and Tenant Board handles most tenancy disputes under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, such as evictions, rent problems and maintenance issues ^[1]. Human-rights complaints (for example, discrimination in access to housing or discriminatory policies) are handled by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario ^[3]. You can consult the provincial tenancy overview for focused tenant guidance, including provincial summaries of tenant and landlord rights Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Ontario.

Official forms and when to use them

• Human Rights application (HRTO filing page) — use this when you want a remedy specifically for discrimination, such as an order to stop discriminatory conduct or compensation; example: filing after a landlord refuses an accommodation request for a mobility aid ^[3].
• Landlord and Tenant Board applications and forms — use LTB applications for issues like unlawful eviction, repairs, or rent disputes; example: applying for a rent abatement because a heating system was not repaired within a reasonable time ^[1].
• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (legislation reference) — consult the Act for legal definitions, timelines, and statutory remedies to know which claim is appropriate ^[2].

Practical steps before filing

Try to resolve issues informally first: send a clear written request describing the problem and what you want fixed, keep copies, and set a reasonable deadline. If the landlord does not respond, save all evidence, then decide whether to start an LTB application for tenancy remedies or an HRTO application for discrimination. If the issue includes both unsafe living conditions and discrimination, you may need both processes. For guidance on handling complaints generally, see How to Handle Complaints in Your Rental: A Tenant's Guide.

FAQ

Can my landlord refuse to rent to me because I have children?

No. Refusing to rent because of family status (including having children) can be discrimination; you can seek advice and may file a human rights application if applicable.

What if my landlord says I cant have a support person or service animal?

Landlords must consider accommodation requests for disabilities; service animals are usually permitted as an accommodation and a human-rights application may be appropriate if the landlord refuses.

Should I file with the LTB or the HRTO?

If your issue is about a tenancy remedy like repairs or eviction, start with the Landlord and Tenant Board; if the core issue is discrimination, file at the HRTO. Some cases require actions at both places.

How-To

1. Gather evidence: collect messages, photos, receipts, witness names and dates that show the discriminatory action.
2. Send a written request: ask the landlord to stop the behavior or provide the accommodation and set a clear deadline.
3. Decide where to file: choose the Landlord and Tenant Board for tenancy remedies or the HRTO for discrimination remedies, or both if needed.
4. Complete and submit the official form online or by mail and pay any filing fees if required, following the instructions on the tribunal site.
5. Attend mediations or hearings and bring your organized evidence; consider free legal clinics or tenant advice services for representation.

Help and Support / Resources

• Contact the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for forms, filing and hearing information
• Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 on e-Laws
• File a human rights application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)

1. [1] Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) - tribunalsontario.ca/ltb
2. [2] Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 - Ontario e-Laws
3. [3] Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) - tribunalsontario.ca/hrto

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