Discrimination and Accessibility Rights for Saskatchewan Tenants

If you’re renting in Saskatchewan, you’re entitled to equal treatment and fair access to rental housing, regardless of your personal status or needs. This guide covers your rights under Saskatchewan law regarding discrimination and accessibility, including practical steps for protecting yourself and what to do if you believe those rights have been violated. Whether you’re concerned about fair treatment during your search or need accommodations due to a disability, understanding these rights is vital for a safe and secure rental experience.

What Counts as Discrimination in Rental Housing?

In Saskatchewan, landlords must follow rules that protect tenants from discrimination. This means a landlord cannot refuse to rent to you, evict you, or treat you unfairly because of certain protected personal characteristics, such as:

• Age
• Race, colour, ancestry, or place of origin
• Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression
• Family status, pregnancy, or marital status
• Religion or political beliefs
• Disability (mental or physical)
• Receipt of public assistance

These protections are enforced under The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018, which makes it illegal for a landlord to set different rules, refuse tenancy, or treat tenants differently based on these grounds.^[1]

Accessibility: Your Right to Safe and Inclusive Housing

Tenants with disabilities have the additional right to reasonable accommodation. A landlord in Saskatchewan is legally required to make changes (where it’s practical and doesn’t involve undue hardship) so that a person with a disability can access and enjoy their rental unit – for example, allowing a service animal or modifying entrances.

Examples of Reasonable Accommodations

• Allowing service animals regardless of a "no pets" policy
• Installing ramps, grab bars, or visual fire alarms
• Giving parking spaces near entrances for accessibility needs

Landlords are only excused from these duties if making changes would result in undue hardship—meaning significant cost or major building changes beyond what’s reasonable.

What to Do If You Experience Discrimination

If you believe you’ve faced discrimination while looking for a place to rent, or during your tenancy, you have the right to file a complaint. Collect evidence such as texts, emails, or notes about what happened and when.

• Step 1: Document all details and communications with your landlord or property manager.
• Step 2: Reach out to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to begin your complaint. Their process asks for facts and supporting documents before launching an investigation.

You do not need legal representation to file a complaint. For full details and required forms, visit the SHRC How to File a Complaint page.

Official Complaint Form

• Name: Human Rights Complaint Form
• When to use: If you experience discrimination or denial of an accessibility accommodation in housing.
• Where to get it: Download the official form here
• Example: If your landlord refuses to allow your service animal or says no children are allowed in your building, complete this form to seek a resolution.

Saskatchewan's Residential Tenancy Laws

All landlords and tenants in Saskatchewan are governed by The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006.^[2] This law sets out the duties to act in good faith, keep rental properties safe, and ensure peaceful enjoyment—these often intersect with discrimination and accessibility issues.

The agency responsible for enforcing tenancy rights and disputes is the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT). They can hear cases related to access, maintenance, and some disputes involving equal treatment.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

• Both landlords and tenants must respect each other's lawful rights.
• You can expect prompt repairs of unsafe living conditions. For more details, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.
• For more information on overall tenant rights and rules in your province, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Saskatchewan.

If you’re unsure about your obligations, Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained is a helpful resource.

Finding Accessible and Fair Rentals

When apartment hunting, watch for listings that mention "adults only" or other exclusionary language—these may contravene human rights laws. If you’re looking for pet-friendly or accessible units, check out options that let you filter for these needs. Explore Houseme for nationwide rental listings and customize your search for features like elevator access or accepting service animals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Discrimination & Accessibility in Rentals

1. Is my landlord allowed to refuse my application because I have children?
   No. In Saskatchewan, refusing to rent to someone because of their family status (including children) is considered discrimination under the Human Rights Code.
2. What counts as a reasonable accommodation?
   Adjustments such as allowing a service animal, modifying common areas, or granting accessible parking are common examples. The accommodation must be feasible and not cause undue hardship for the landlord.
3. How can I file a discrimination complaint?
   Complete and submit the Human Rights Complaint Form on the SHRC’s website. You can file online, by mail, or in person. Attach any supporting evidence you have.
4. Who enforces my rights as a tenant in Saskatchewan?
   The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (for discrimination and accessibility issues) and the Office of Residential Tenancies (for general tenancy disputes) are responsible agencies.

How To Protect Yourself From Discrimination As a Tenant

1. How do I request an accessibility accommodation?
   Write to your landlord explaining your needs (e.g., request for a service animal, physical change, or specific parking spot), and provide evidence if needed (like a medical note). The landlord must consider the request fairly and respond in writing.
2. How do I document potential discrimination?
   Keep all communications (emails, texts, letters) with your landlord or property manager. Record dates and descriptions of incidents as soon as they happen.
3. How do I file a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission?
   Complete the Human Rights Complaint Form and submit it with your supporting evidence. Follow the instructions on the SHRC website, and reach out by phone if you need help.

Key Takeaways

• It’s illegal for Saskatchewan landlords to deny or limit your tenancy due to race, gender, disability, or other protected grounds.
• Tenants with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations, unless it causes major hardship for the landlord.
• If you experience discrimination, collect evidence and file a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC): file discrimination or accommodation complaints
• Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT): tenancy dispute solutions, information, and forms
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Saskatchewan: provincial fact page with housing law basics

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1. [1] The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018: Official legislation (PDF)
2. [2] The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006: Official legislation (PDF)

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