Landlord Duties on Discrimination Claims - London, Ontario

In London, Ontario landlords must avoid discriminatory treatment in housing and follow provincial pathways when a tenant alleges discrimination. This guide explains where discrimination claims are heard, what remedies and orders tribunals and courts may award, the roles of provincial bodies and municipal contacts in London, and practical steps landlords and tenants should take when a claim arises.

Penalties & Enforcement

Discrimination in housing is primarily addressed under Ontario human rights law and the Residential Tenancies Act framework. Remedies and enforcement differ by tribunal and statute. Key enforcing bodies are the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO), the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and the Landlord and Tenant Board for RTA-related remedies. See official application and guidance pages for each body below: HRTO filing information^[1], Ontario Human Rights Commission^[2], Residential Tenancies Act, 2006^[3].

• Monetary remedies: HRTO may order compensation for injury to dignity and losses; specific standard amounts are not specified on the cited page.
• Non-monetary orders: declarations, cease-and-desist orders, policy changes, training or systemic remedies may be ordered by tribunals.
• Escalation: tribunals consider first, repeat, and continuing conduct; exact fine ranges or daily penalties for discrimination are not specified on the cited pages.
• Enforcers and complaint pathways: file to the HRTO for human-rights claims; RTA issues (eviction, rent) go to the Landlord and Tenant Board; municipal By-law Enforcement handles property-standards or related bylaw concerns in London.
• Appeals and reviews: HRTO decisions have specific review and judicial review routes; time limits for filing applications and appeals are set by statute and tribunal rules and should be checked on the tribunal pages.
• Defences and discretion: tribunals may consider reasonable accommodation, bona fide exceptions, or justified business necessity; specific defences depend on the statute and are applied case-by-case.

Applications & Forms

• HRTO application: file using the HRTO filing instructions and forms on the HRTO website; fee information and e-filing details are on the HRTO site.^[1]
• Landlord and Tenant Board: RTA applications are filed through the LTB portal; check the LTB for forms and timelines.
• Fees and deadlines: specific fees and exact statutory time limits are detailed on the respective tribunal pages; where amounts or limits are not stated on the cited page, they are noted as not specified on the cited page.

Common Violations and Typical Outcomes

• Refusal to rent to a protected class: possible HRTO order for compensation and directive to stop the practice.
• Harassment by landlord or agents: HRTO may order cease conduct, training, and damages.
• Failure to accommodate disabilities: tribunal may order reasonable accommodation and compensatory remedies.

Action Steps for Landlords

• Document all interactions with tenants and maintain records of policies and decisions.
• If served with an application, seek legal advice and respond within tribunal timelines.
• Apply for clarifying guidance or legal remedy if unsure about accommodation obligations.

FAQ

How do tenants file a discrimination claim against a landlord?

Tenants can file an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario following the HRTO filing guidance; RTA issues may go to the Landlord and Tenant Board depending on the relief sought.

Can a landlord be fined by the City of London for discrimination?

Municipal bylaws typically do not adjudicate human-rights discrimination; enforcement of human-rights complaints is provincial through HRTO. For property-standards or bylaw breaches contact City of London By-law Enforcement.

What evidence helps a discrimination claim?

Documented communications, witness statements, policies showing disparate treatment, and records of denial or eviction notices strengthen a claim.

How-To

1. Step 1: Gather evidence — collect messages, notices, witness names and dates.
2. Step 2: Contact the HRTO or seek legal advice to confirm the correct forum for your issue.
3. Step 3: Complete and submit the HRTO application following the HRTO instructions.^[1]
4. Step 4: Attend mediation or hearings as scheduled and follow tribunal directions.
5. Step 5: If ordered to pay or implement remedies, comply or seek review within the appeal time limits.

Key Takeaways

• Human-rights discrimination claims are handled provincially by HRTO; municipal bylaws rarely adjudicate discrimination.
• Keep thorough records and act promptly to meet filing timelines.
• Use official HRTO and LTB guidance pages for forms and procedural rules.^[1]

Help and Support / Resources

• City of London - By-law Enforcement and Property Standards
• Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB)
• Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO)

1. [1] Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario - Filing a claim
2. [2] Ontario Human Rights Commission
3. [3] Residential Tenancies Act, 2006