Discrimination and Accessibility Support for Saskatchewan Tenants

Dealing with discrimination or inaccessible housing is challenging, but Saskatchewan tenants have powerful protections under provincial law. This guide explains your rights, the steps to address discrimination or barriers, and where to get help if you believe your landlord is acting unfairly.

Understanding Your Rights: Discrimination and Accessibility in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018 protect you from discrimination in rental housing. Landlords cannot legally refuse to rent, evict, or treat you differently because of your race, sex, disability, family status, age, religion, or certain other protected characteristics.^[1] They also have a duty to provide reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, up to the point of 'undue hardship.'

For a broader overview of tenant and landlord responsibilities in your province, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Saskatchewan.

What Counts as Discrimination or Accessibility Barriers?

• Denying rental applications based on ethnicity, gender, disability, or other protected grounds
• Refusing reasonable accessibility modifications (like grab bars or ramps)
• Setting restrictive rules that target families with children, service animal users, or religious practices
• Harassment or failure to respond to accessibility needs

Steps to Take if You Experience Discrimination or Accessibility Problems

Here is a straightforward, step-by-step approach for tenants in Saskatchewan:

• Document Everything. Keep dated notes, emails, and letters about interactions or incidents.
• Communicate Your Needs. If you require an accessibility accommodation, make a written request explaining what you need (e.g., widening a doorway or allowing a service animal).
• Know Your Rights and Responsibilities. Learn about rights and obligations from trustworthy resources, such as Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.
• Contact Your Landlord. Try to resolve the issue respectfully in writing. Clearly outline the discrimination or barrier and suggest solutions.
• File a Complaint (if unresolved). Saskatchewan tenants may file:
  • A discrimination complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission
  • An application with the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) for certain tenancy breaches. See below for details.

Most complaints are resolved faster when well-documented and when all communication is in writing. Always keep copies for your records.

Which Tribunal Handles These Problems?

The Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) decides rental disputes (like evictions, repairs, or breaches of the tenancy agreement), while the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission handles complaints specifically about discrimination or failure to accommodate disabilities.^[2]

Key Forms and How to Use Them

• Human Rights Complaint Form (SHRC): Use this form to complain about discrimination related to disability, race, family status, sexual orientation, or other protected grounds.
  Download and complete the Saskatchewan Human Rights Complaint Form. You will need to describe what happened, who was involved, and what outcome you want.
  Example: If your landlord denies your request for a wheelchair ramp, complete this form and submit it to the SHRC online or by mail.
• Application to Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT): If discrimination involves a breach of your rental agreement or refusal to provide services, you may also apply to the ORT. Use their general application form.
  Example: A landlord refuses to repair accessible features included in your lease or unfairly evicts you because of a disability.

Always read form instructions carefully and provide as much detail as possible to support your case.

Tenants are not required to disclose private medical details to a landlord when requesting a disability accommodation—just enough information to explain the need.

Where to Learn More and Find Rentals

Learn more about common rental challenges tenants face, including accessibility issues, in Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them. If you are looking for accessible rental homes or supportive housing across Canada, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme for a wide selection and accessible map tools.

FAQ

1. What is a landlord's duty to accommodate in Saskatchewan?
   A landlord must make reasonable efforts to remove barriers for tenants with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship (e.g., major structural change costs or safety risks).
2. What if my landlord ignores my request for an accessibility modification?
   Document your request and their response. If they continue to refuse, you can file a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission or apply with the Office of Residential Tenancies in some cases.
3. Are emotional support animals protected in Saskatchewan rentals?
   Only trained service animals are explicitly protected under human rights law. However, you can still request an accommodation for an emotional support animal and file a complaint if your request is denied without valid reason.
4. Can a landlord set rules that seem neutral but have a discriminatory effect?
   Yes, this is called "adverse effect discrimination." Even neutral rules can be unlawful if they negatively impact a protected group and are not justified for health, safety, or fairness.
5. Do accessibility complaints stop an eviction?
   No, but if you believe an eviction is discriminatory, include this information in your complaint to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission or the ORT.

How To Take Action: File a Discrimination Complaint in Saskatchewan

1. How do I prepare my complaint about discrimination?
   Gather details: times, dates, people involved, and a description of what happened. Include copies of written requests or responses.
2. How do I file a human rights complaint?
   Complete the Saskatchewan Human Rights Complaint Form. Submit it online, by mail, or in person to the SHRC. You’ll get an update once they review your case.
3. How do I file a tenancy dispute with the ORT?
   Use the Application Form found on the ORT website. Submit it along with any evidence of the discrimination or accessibility issue you faced in your rental.
4. What happens after I file?
   The commission or the ORT reviews your application and may contact you for more information. An investigation or hearing is scheduled if your claim proceeds.

Key Takeaways

• Saskatchewan law protects you from discrimination and requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodation.
• Document and communicate all issues in writing before filing a formal complaint.
• Complaints can be made either through the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission or the Office of Residential Tenancies, depending on the issue.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission: File complaints, get legal information, and access support for discrimination issues
• Office of Residential Tenancies: File rental disputes, get forms, and tenant advice
• Saskatchewan Housing Support Services: Information on accessible and social housing programs
• See Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Saskatchewan for a plain-language legal overview

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1. "The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006". Visit the official legislation PDF.
2. "Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018" and Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. See the Commission website.

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