Ontario Tenant Discrimination & Accessibility Checklist

Knowing and protecting your rights are essential for tenants in Ontario, especially when it comes to discrimination and accessibility. Whether you are signing a lease, moving in, or already living in your rental, understanding what counts as discrimination and what your landlord must do for accessibility puts you in control. This checklist breaks down your rights, tenant options, and official steps to ensure inclusive, fair housing for all.

Understanding Discrimination in Ontario Rentals

The Ontario Human Rights Code protects tenants from discrimination by landlords based on race, gender, disability, family status, sexual orientation, religion, and other personal characteristics. Landlords cannot deny you a rental, treat you unfairly, or harass you for these reasons. The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 also provides protection for tenants’ rights, including accessibility and accommodation steps if you have a disability.^[1]

Discrimination can happen before you move in, when renewing a lease, or during your tenancy. Common situations include:

• Refusal to rent to someone because they have children, a service animal, or receive social assistance
• Unequal rules or treatment (e.g., one tenant is allowed a modification, another is not)
• Harassment based on any protected ground

Accessibility: The Right to Accommodation

Tenants with disabilities have the right to request changes that allow them equal enjoyment of their home. This is known as the right to accommodation. Examples include requesting:

• Wheelchair ramps or accessible door handles
• Permission for a service animal
• Changes to locks or lighting for a visual impairment

Landlords are generally required to make these accommodations unless it would cause undue hardship (such as major structural renovations that are unreasonable due to cost or safety).

Practical Steps for Tenants

• Document everything: Always keep copies of your written requests and any correspondence with your landlord.
• Request in writing: Specify the accommodation you need and why (you do not have to disclose the nature of your disability, only that you require accommodation under the Human Rights Code).
• If refused: Clarify the landlord’s reasons. If you believe it’s not a valid denial, consider filing a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission or the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
• Learn about your landlord’s obligations: Review your rights in detail through Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Checklist: Discrimination & Accessibility for Ontario Tenants

• Did your landlord ask questions that could reveal your race, religion, age, or disability before agreeing to rent?
• Were you denied housing for reasons related to your family status or a need for accommodation?
• Have you requested an accommodation and received a clear written response?
• Is your landlord treating tenants differently based on characteristics protected by the Human Rights Code?
• Are there accessible entrances, common areas, and parking if you require them?
• Did your landlord explain reasons for denying an accommodation request?

Filing Discrimination or Accessibility Complaints

If you experience discrimination or your landlord refuses a fair accommodation request, there are formal ways to address it:

• Human Rights Application (Form 1): This form is used to start a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. File online or download from the official HRTO forms page. For example, if you were denied an accessible modification, you can use Form 1, describe your situation, and submit supporting documents.
• Tenant Application to the Landlord and Tenant Board (Form T2): This form addresses tenant rights violations, such as harassment or refusal to allow a service animal. Access it from the Landlord and Tenant Board forms page. After filing, you may have a hearing to resolve the issue.

The main tribunal overseeing rental disputes, including some discrimination claims, is the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). For most human rights matters, apply to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.^[2]

Know Your Rights — Stay Informed

Your rights as a tenant go beyond discrimination and accessibility. If you are concerned about rental rules, lease renewals, or how to handle complaints, resources like Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them can help. For a broader understanding, see Tenant Rights in Ontario for full provincial tenant law coverage.

Looking for a new home with accessibility features? Search Canadian rentals with interactive map view to easily find listings that suit your needs across Ontario and beyond.

1. What is considered discrimination by a landlord in Ontario?
   Discrimination occurs when a landlord treats you unfairly, denies housing, or harasses you based on a protected characteristic under the Ontario Human Rights Code — such as race, disability, age, family status, sex, or marital status.
2. How do I ask my landlord for an accessibility accommodation?
   Submit your request in writing, explaining what accommodation you need (e.g., grab bars, service animal access). You do not need to share medical details; your landlord must consider your request, unless it causes them undue hardship.
3. What forms do tenants use to file discrimination or accommodation complaints?
   To file a human rights complaint, use Form 1: Human Rights Application (with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario). For rental violations, use Form T2: Tenant Application (with the Landlord and Tenant Board). Both are available online.
4. Can I be evicted if I file a discrimination complaint?
   No, your landlord cannot legally evict you for exercising your rights or filing a complaint. This would be considered retaliation and is prohibited under Ontario law.
5. Where can I learn more about rental laws and tenant protections in Ontario?
   See Tenant Rights in Ontario for an overview of tenant and landlord laws, including discrimination, eviction, and accessibility information.

1. How do I file a complaint about discrimination?
   Gather documentation (emails, letters), complete Form 1 for the Human Rights Tribunal, and submit your complaint with any supporting evidence through their website or by mail.
2. How do I request a rental modification for accessibility?
   Write to your landlord outlining the specific modification you need. If denied without valid reason, keep the correspondence and consider contacting a legal clinic or charitable organization for support.
3. How do I get help if my accessibility request is ignored?
   Contact the Human Rights Legal Support Centre for advice and guidance. They can help you complete and submit your application to the Human Rights Tribunal.

Key Takeaways

• Ontario tenants are protected from discrimination under the Human Rights Code and Residential Tenancies Act.
• Landlords must consider accessibility accommodations unless undue hardship can be proven.
• There are official forms and processes for filing discrimination or accessibility complaints with the Human Rights Tribunal or Landlord and Tenant Board.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario – Contact Information
• Landlord and Tenant Board – Get Help Filing Forms
• Human Rights Legal Support Centre – Free advice and help with human rights applications
• CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) Tenant Resources
• Tenant Rights in Ontario

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1. [1] See Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario)
2. [2] Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) | Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)

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