Discrimination in Housing in British Columbia
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Canadian federal statutes and official sources. Provincial information reflects each province's own legislation and court rulings. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
It is illegal in Canada to refuse to rent to someone, treat them differently, or evict them based on prohibited grounds. These include race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family status, disability, and pardoned criminal conviction.
Provincial human rights codes may add additional grounds. For example, Ontario also prohibits discrimination based on receipt of public assistance — meaning a landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because you receive social assistance or disability benefits.
Both direct discrimination ("we don't rent to families with children") and systemic discrimination (policies that have a discriminatory effect) are prohibited.
When does it apply?
- At all stages of a tenancy — rental ads, tenant screening, lease terms, maintenance and repairs, and eviction.
- Applies to private landlords and property management companies alike.
- Covers apartments, houses, condos, rooms, and all other residential rentals.
What to Do If a Canadian Landlord Discriminates Against You
- Document the discriminatory conduct — save emails, texts, screenshots of ads, and notes of conversations with dates and details.
- File a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) for federal matters, or your provincial human rights tribunal. Most have a 12-month filing deadline.
- Contact a legal clinic or community legal aid organization that handles human rights cases.
- Report discriminatory rental ads to the platform hosting them and to your provincial human rights body.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't assume nothing can be done — human rights tribunals exist specifically to handle these cases.
- Don't wait too long to file. Most jurisdictions have a 12-month deadline from the date of the incident.
- Don't retaliate against your landlord — it can weaken your complaint.
- Don't accept "it's already rented" at face value if you suspect discrimination. Document what happened and file a complaint.
How British Columbia differs from federal law
The BC Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, source of income, and age (except for seniors-only housing).
- A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because you have children, receive social assistance, or have a disability. Source of income is a protected ground in BC — landlords cannot discriminate against tenants who pay rent through government benefits.
- Landlords have a duty to accommodate tenants with disabilities up to the point of undue hardship. This can include allowing service animals despite a no-pet rule, making physical modifications, or adjusting rules.
- Discriminatory rental ads (such as "no kids" or specifying a preferred ethnicity) are illegal.
- Complaints go to the BC Human Rights Tribunal within 1 year of the discriminatory act.
Additional Steps in British Columbia
If you have been denied housing or treated differently because of a protected characteristic, file a complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal within 1 year. The BC Human Rights Clinic (Community Legal Assistance Society) offers free legal assistance. Keep records of communications with the landlord, including ads, emails, and text messages.
Relevant Law: Human Rights Code, RSBC 1996, c. 210, ss. 8–10
Common Questions
When does discrimination in housing apply?
At all stages of a tenancy — rental ads, tenant screening, lease terms, maintenance and repairs, and eviction.Applies to private landlords and property management companies alike.Covers apartments, houses, condos, rooms, and all other residential rentals.
What should I do if I think a landlord in Canada refused to rent to me because of discrimination?
Document the discriminatory conduct — save emails, texts, screenshots of ads, and notes of conversations with dates and details.File a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) for federal matters, or your provincial human rights tribunal. Most have a 12-month filing deadline.Contact a legal clinic or community legal aid organization that handles human rights cases.Report discriminatory rental ads to the platform hosting them and to your provincial human rights body.
What mistakes should I avoid with discrimination in housing?
Don't assume nothing can be done — human rights tribunals exist specifically to handle these cases.Don't wait too long to file. Most jurisdictions have a 12-month deadline from the date of the incident.Don't retaliate against your landlord — it can weaken your complaint.Don't accept "it's already rented" at face value if you suspect discrimination. Document what happened and file a complaint.
Discrimination in Housing in other states
Same topic, different jurisdiction. Pick the one that applies to you.