PEI Tenant Rights: Discrimination & Accessibility Explained

Facing discrimination or accessibility barriers in your Prince Edward Island (PEI) rental home can be stressful and unfair. Understanding your tenant rights is essential so you can protect yourself and ensure equal treatment. This guide explains PEI's current laws around discrimination and accessibility, offers practical advice, and covers what to do if your rights are violated.

Understanding Discrimination in Rental Housing

Discrimination in rental housing means being treated unfairly because of certain personal characteristics. In PEI, landlords cannot legally refuse to rent to you or treat you differently because of:

• Race, national or ethnic origin, colour
• Religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression
• Marital status, family status (such as having children)
• Disability or physical/mental health condition
• Source of income (e.g., social assistance)

These protections come from both the PEI Human Rights Act^[1] and the Prince Edward Island Rental of Residential Property Act^[2].

What Accessibility Means for PEI Tenants

All tenants have the right to an accessible home. That means landlords must make reasonable efforts to accommodate disabilities, such as allowing service animals or making minor modifications for physical access. Common accessibility accommodations include:

• Installing grab bars in the bathroom
• Permitting visual smoke alarms
• Allowing service animals, even in 'no pets' buildings

While landlords have to reasonably accommodate, they are not required to make changes that would cause them undue hardship (such as significant structural renovations).

Who Oversees Tenant Complaints in PEI?

Tenant-landlord issues, including complaints about discrimination and accessibility, are handled by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) - Rental Office^[3]. They interpret and enforce the Rental of Residential Property Act in Prince Edward Island.

What to Do If You Face Discrimination or Accessibility Issues

If you believe your rights under the PEI Human Rights Act or the Rental of Residential Property Act have been violated, here are practical steps:

1. Document your experience: Save emails, texts, or other communications with your landlord. Note specific incidents and dates.
2. Contact your landlord in writing: Politely explain the issue and request a specific solution. This creates a paper trail.
3. If no resolution, file a complaint: Choose the right form and submit to the appropriate body (see below).

Key Official Forms for Tenants

• Form 2: Application (Rental Office - IRAC)
  Use if your landlord has denied you an accommodation or acted in a way you believe is discriminatory.
  Download Form 2 here (PDF).
  Example: A tenant with a mobility disability requests a grab bar in the bathroom and is refused. The tenant can submit Form 2 to IRAC to ask for a ruling.
• Human Rights Complaint Form (PEI Human Rights Commission)
  Use for complaints related to human rights, such as discrimination based on disability, race, or family status.
  Download the PEI Human Rights Complaint Form (PDF).
  Example: If a landlord refuses to rent to someone because of their ethnicity, the tenant can file this form with the PEI Human Rights Commission.

Legislation Protecting PEI Tenants

• The Prince Edward Island Rental of Residential Property Act^[2] covers tenant and landlord rights in leases, repairs, and treatment.
• The PEI Human Rights Act^[1] defines protected grounds and prohibits discrimination in housing.

For a practical summary of your local rights, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Prince Edward Island.

Landlords’ and Tenants’ Responsibilities

Both landlords and tenants in PEI have obligations to maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive living environment. For details and advice on responsibilities regarding maintenance or complaints, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained. Health or safety issues related to accessibility may also connect with Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

It’s your right to feel secure and respected in your PEI rental. If your rights aren’t respected, strong avenues exist to help you take action.

For more options and tools to discover accessible rentals across the country, you can Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme.

1. Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because I have children or receive social assistance?
   No, PEI law protects against discrimination based on family status or source of income. This means landlords cannot legally deny you housing for these reasons.
2. What if my landlord won’t accommodate my disability?
   Your landlord must make reasonable efforts to accommodate disabilities. If they refuse, contact them in writing and, if needed, file a complaint using Form 2: Application (Rental Office) or the PEI Human Rights Complaint Form.
3. Does the law require physical building changes for tenants with disabilities?
   Landlords must make reasonable accommodations, but aren’t required to make costly changes or those causing "undue hardship."
4. If I’ve faced discrimination, can I end my lease early?
   Possibly—if your safety or rights are affected. Seek advice or file a complaint; IRAC can help review your situation and legal options.
5. Where can I learn more about my rights and responsibilities?
   See Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Prince Edward Island for a summary, or contact IRAC and the PEI Human Rights Commission for guidance.

1. How do I file a human rights complaint for discrimination as a tenant in PEI?
   1. Download and complete the PEI Human Rights Complaint Form.
   2. Provide detailed information about the incident(s).
   3. Submit the form to the PEI Human Rights Commission (by mail, email, or in person).
   4. Wait for follow-up contact from the Commission.
2. How do I ask IRAC for a disability accommodation decision if my landlord refuses?
   1. Download Form 2: Application from IRAC's website.
   2. Fill out your personal details, describe the situation, and provide supporting documents.
   3. Submit to IRAC's Rental Office and await instructions.
3. How do I keep track of communication with my landlord for a dispute?
   1. Send important concerns or requests by email or written letter.
   2. Save all replies and notes about conversations (with dates and times).
   3. Organize evidence in case a complaint or tribunal hearing is needed.

• Tenants in PEI are protected against discrimination and have the right to reasonable accessibility in rental housing.
• Document concerns, communicate in writing, and use official forms to protect your rights.
• Provincial bodies like IRAC and the PEI Human Rights Commission are available to help when needed.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• IRAC Rental Office (Prince Edward Island): Guidance, forms, and tenant-landlord dispute resolution
• PEI Human Rights Commission: File human rights complaints tied to discrimination (1-800-237-5031)
• Housing PEI: Provincial resources and support services

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1. PEI Human Rights Act
2. Prince Edward Island Rental of Residential Property Act
3. Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) - Rental Office

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