See if your situation is covered by the Human Rights Code

The Human Rights Code bans discrimination in most rental situations. But there are some exceptions.

The landlord can refuse to rent to you for any reason if:

• you would be living in the same building as your landlord or their family, and
• you would be sharing a bathroom or kitchen with them

There are other types of rental housing that are not covered by some of the rules in the Code. These include:

• Seniors’ homes: tenants can be chosen by age
• Single-sex residences: tenants can be chosen by sex
• Subsidized housing: tenants can be chosen by their income

Even if a building is exempt from one rule, the landlord must still follow the Ontario Human Rights Code in all the other areas.

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre has an online tool to help you figure out if what happened to you is considered discrimination under the Human Rights Code. For more information and advice, you can also speak to staff at the Support Centre.

If the Human Rights Code does not apply, check other topics and questions on this website. There might be a solution to your problem using your other rights as a tenant.