Frequently asked questions
Housing - Tenants and people looking for housing
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Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because I smoke?
A landlord may specify in a lease that the rental home is non-smoking, without this being discriminatory. Although a non-smoking clause could constitute discrimination on the basis of disability, protection against second-hand smoke is recognized as an important societal objective that justifies this ban.
Landlords may also specify that the smoking ban includes cannabis. If you smoke cannabis for medical reasons, then you can assert your right to smoke inside the dwelling, if doing so does not unduly affect the other residents. Medical cannabis is considered a means to palliate a disability. Discriminating against someone on the basis of a disability or the use of any means to palliate a disability is prohibited under the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
Learn more about medical cannabis (French only)
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Does the Charter allow credit checks?
Although the law does not prohibit running a credit check, the Commission strongly discourages this practice. Credit checks are frequently used as an indirect way to discriminate against applicants, and they also provide more personal information that is typically required to sign a lease. The Commission has advocated for stricter regulation of credit checks, and to have them prohibited altogether in the context of housing, but they are currently still allowed by law. We suggest that you ask potential tenants to provide proof of income or regular payment of their bills instead.
Landlord’s Handbook (French only)
The For Rent Without Discrimination campaign