Use of the term “accommodation” refers to housing. You have the right to equal treatment when buying, selling, renting or being evicted from an apartment, house, condominium or commercial property. This right also covers renting or being evicted from a hotel room.
The Code applies to terms and conditions in contracts and leases such as the amount of rent, security deposits, the requirement of guarantors, occupants’ rules and regulations, lease termination and eviction. Your right to housing without discrimination also includes suitable access to doors, laundry rooms, swimming pools, other common areas, repairs and other aspects of housing.
The Code does not apply if you have a “personality conflict” with the landlord or another tenant that is not linked to a Code ground. Also, the Code does not apply if you share a bathroom or kitchen with the owner or the owner’s family.
The Code also applies to municipalities, as both regulators and providers of housing. They must ensure that their bylaws, processes and decisions do not target or disproportionately affect groups relating to a Code ground.
OHRC policies, guides and other publications include:
On human rights and rental housing:
- Policy on human rights and rental housing
- Human rights for tenants (brochure)
- Human rights in housing: an overview for landlords (brochure)
- Writing a fair rental housing ad (fact sheet)
- Guidelines on developing human rights policies and procedures
- Discrimination based on disability and the duty to accommodate: Information for housing providers
On municipal responsibilities in planning and licensing housing:
- In the zone: Housing, human rights and municipal planning
- Room for everyone: Human rights and rental housing licensing
- Neighbourhood housing tip sheet
- Planning and human rights: legal cases and resources (fact sheet)
- From Exclusion to Inclusion: Human Rights and Planning (OPPI webinar)
For other publications on housing, click “Resource Types” on the left-hand panel.
Planning and human rights: legal cases and resources
Housing-related legal cases and resources (2015)
Adding human rights to the discussion: London’s Draft Official Plan
Dear Mr. Barrett, As the City of London renews its Official Plan, I am writing to draw some human rights concerns to your attention and make recommendations to help the new plan include and welcome all residents in London’s communities.
Cultural and other groups have the right to associate
Recent media articles have looked at the issue of housing that is limited to people belonging to a certain community group.
Section 18 of Ontario’s Human Rights Code says:
Commission intervenes in religious rights and zoning appeal
The Commission intervened in Sarnia (City) v. River City Vineyard, an appeal heard by the Court of Appeal for Ontario in October 2014.
Commenting on Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy
July 3, 2015 - Dear Minister McMeekin, The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Update.
OHRC submission to the MMAH Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy Update
July 3, 2015 - Housing is a human right. Accordingly, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is making this submission[1] to the government’s consultation on updating Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy.
Message from Interim Chief Commissioner Ruth Goba – Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Toronto2015: Let’s build an accessibility legacy
The upcoming Pan Am and Parapan Am Games are an exciting opportunity to showcase the many ways Ontario is a world leader. One notable accomplishment should be our ability to welcome and include guests and residents of all backgrounds and abilities. The Games offer a good opportunity to raise awareness about what Ontario and its municipalities are doing to promote and enhance accessibility.
Preventing discrimination because of mental health disabilities and addictions
Policy on preventing discrimination because of mental health disabilities and addictions overview and Q&A.
Message from Ruth Goba – Statement on International Women’s Day
Forty years ago, the United Nations declared March 8 as International Women’s Day. It is a day to celebrate women and their achievements, reflect on the progress towards equality, and promote an Ontario and world where there is true gender equality.
While we join the world in observing this day and honouring our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, allies and friends, we know that we still have work to do at the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
Our work is not done when one in two Canadian women report having experienced some form of violence in their lifetime.
Re: Applying a human rights lens in zoning, licensing and municipal decision-making
Dear Colleagues, As new and returning mayors, councillors and elected officials, you play a central role in ensuring that municipal processes and decisions respect the human rights of all community members. The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has worked for several years with governments, experts and community partners to increase human rights compliance in housing, land use and licensing. I’m writing to share some positive developments in these areas, and to point out some OHRC resources that can help you make your community more inclusive.