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:

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”.

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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”.

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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:

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:

  • Non-profit co-ops involve tenancy
  • Equity co-ops involve services by the co-op to its members, like the services a strata provides to its members