Human Rights and Tenancy in BC
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
Learn about your rights as a tenant in BC
In British Columbia, your right to fair housing is protected by law to ensure that everyone has access to safe and discrimination-free housing. At QMUNITY, we acknowledge the unique risks and harm experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+ people in tenancy. This resource is meant to help Two-Spirit, Queer, and Trans people across BC understand their human rights and protections in tenancy and how to report human rights violations.
Please Note:
This guide explains the law in general. It is not intended to give you legal advice on your particular problem. Each case is different, so please seek legal help for your case.
For legal support with tenancy (unlawful rent increases, challenges with repairs, etc.) and eviction, please email intake@qmunitylegalclinic.ca or call 236-521-0573.
Did you know?
In BC, landlords cannot discriminate against tenants on the following protected grounds:
Sex
Gender Identity or Expression
Sexual Orientation
Race, ancestry, or place of origin
Religion
Income
Disability
Age
Taking action against discrimination
Feeling empowered as a tenant is especially important for marginalized groups. Staying informed about your rights - this includes knowing what to do when your rights are violated. As detailed in the guide, there are 4 steps to follow if you experience a human rights violation and you want to take action.
Identify
The first step is identifying what has happened. This means asking what/how you were discriminated against? Make sure to document the incident(s) impact on your tenancy, which can include safety violations or harassment from the landlord or other tenants, etc.
Gather Evidence
Once you have identified the discrimination, the next step is compiling the proof. Firstly, document and organize all communications related to the incident(s), e.g. emails, text messages, building memos, etc. Be sure to also document verbal agreements and conversations in writing.
File Complaint
When you are ready, you can file a complaint. You must file your complaint within 1 year of the date of the incident(s). It may be possible to extend this time limit if there is continued discriminatory behaviour, but it is better to file within the 1-year time limit. In BC, human rights complaints are filed with the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
Seek Resolution
The last step of the process is the resolution. This means asking 'what are the available pathways to resolution?' To begin, you can try mediation first. With the help of a third party, you may be able to resolve the case faster than a Tribunal case. Alternatively, you can seek tenant support and legal advice. Keep in mind that successful complaints can have a variety of possible outcomes.
If you have a case
Be sure to seek legal advice as soon as possible. It often takes several months for the tribunal to decide if it can deal with a complaint, in addition to the several months to years it can take for the case to go through deliberation or mediation.
We understand that taking action against discrimination can be very hard, but QMUNITY's Legal Clinic is here to help.
