Human Rights & Duties
Human Rights and Duties in Housing
Human rights in housing depend on whether you are renting, buying property, or own a strata.
Human rights in tenancy
Everyone has the right to be free from discrimination when renting an apartment, house, co-op unit, or other space.
Tenancy discrimination refers to poor treatment based on a personal characteristic regarding renting a space, the terms and conditions of a tenancy, or being evicted.
If the poor treatment is justified, then there is no discrimination.
These are the personal characteristics protected in tenancy:
Including:
- Lawful Source of Income
Landlords and others have a duty not to discriminate regarding tenancy. This includes a duty to take all reasonable steps to avoid a negative effect based on a personal characteristic. This is called the “duty to accommodate”.
Learn more:
- What poor treatment is discrimination regarding a tenancy?
- Who can be a respondent in a tenancy complaint?
- How can poor treatment in tenancy be justified? (Defences)
Human rights and duties regarding the purchase of property
Everyone has the right to be free from discrimination when buying a house, condo or other property.
Discrimination refers to poor treatment when buying property, or regarding the terms or conditions of the purchase, based on a personal characteristic.
If the poor treatment is justified, then there is no discrimination.
These are the personal characteristics protected regarding the purchase of property:
Sellers and others have a duty not to discriminate regarding the purchase of property. This includes a duty to take all reasonable steps to avoid a negative effect based on a personal characteristic. This is called the “duty to accommodate”.
Learn more:
- What poor treatment is discrimination regarding the purchase of property?
- Who can be a respondent to a purchase of property complaint?
- How can poor treatment regarding the purchase of property be justified? (Defence)
Human rights regarding services provided by Stratas
Everyone has the right to be free from discrimination when seeking access to or when using a public service, facility or accommodation. Stratas provide services to their members. Examples of services provided by stratas:
Intercom systems, access to the building, rules about flooring, balconies, and window coverings
Discrimination refers to poor treatment regarding a service, based on a personal characteristic.
If the poor treatment is justified, then there is no discrimination.
These are the personal characteristics protected in services:
Stratas and others have a duty not to discriminate regarding the services a strata provides to its owners. This includes a duty to take all reasonable steps to avoid a negative effect based on a personal characteristic. This is called the “duty to accommodate”.
Learn more:
- What poor treatment is discrimination regarding a strata’s services?
- Who can be a respondent in a services complaint?
- How can poor treatment in services be justified? (Defences)
Human rights regarding co-ops
People who live in a co-op are protected under tenancy or services, depending on the kind of co-op. If you are unsure, you can include both on a complaint form.
Generally: