Prevent Income Source Discrimination - London Tenancy Law

Housing and Building Standards Ontario 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Ontario

In London, Ontario tenants and landlords must follow provincial tenancy rules and municipal bylaw processes that affect screening, advertising and rental decisions. This guide explains legal protections, where to find the controlling statutes and local enforcement, and practical steps if a landlord refuses tenancy because of the applicant's income source, such as social assistance or disability payments.

Penalties & Enforcement

Discrimination based on protected grounds is addressed under provincial instruments; the Residential Tenancies Act governs tenancy rights while human-rights protections apply to discriminatory rental refusal. For the provincial tenancy framework see the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006[2] and for human-rights prohibitions see the Ontario Human Rights Code[3].

  • Enforcer: City of London By-law Enforcement and the provincial Landlord and Tenant Board or Human Rights Tribunal depending on the claim; contact local by-law services for municipal complaints via the City of London rental/property pages City of London - Rental Property Standards[1].
  • Fines and penalties: specific fine amounts for municipal bylaw contraventions are not specified on the cited City page and may be set in the consolidated bylaw or Provincial Offences schedules—"not specified on the cited page".
  • Escalation: first, repeat, or continuing offences and daily continuing fines are determined by the instrument under which charges are laid; amounts and escalation ranges are not specified on the cited City or provincial pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to comply, stop-work or stop-use orders, court prosecutions, and eviction processes may be used where lawful; specific non-monetary remedies depend on the Act or bylaw invoked.
  • Inspection and complaints: file a complaint with City of London By-law Enforcement or seek remedies at the Landlord and Tenant Board or Human Rights Tribunal as appropriate; follow the complaint pathways described on the linked official pages[1][2][3].
If penalty amounts are not shown on a City page, request the specific bylaw schedule from By-law Enforcement.

Applications & Forms

  • Landlord and Tenant Board forms: applications for remedies are available from the LTB; fees and form names are published on the LTB website (see provincial links above).
  • Human Rights Tribunal: complaint forms and guides are available from the Tribunal; if a specific municipal form is required for a bylaw complaint the City will publish it on the rental/property standards pages.

Common violations and typical outcomes:

  • Refusing to advertise or rent to applicants because they receive social assistance — may be pursued as discrimination under human-rights processes or challenged through tenancy remedies.
  • Using blanket policies that exclude benefit-based income without individualized assessment — may lead to orders to change screening practices or other sanctions.
  • Failure to comply with municipal property standards tied to rental licensing — municipal charges or orders may follow; amounts not specified on the City page cited.

What the Law Requires

Under provincial tenancy law and human-rights law, landlords must not apply policies that indirectly or directly discriminate on protected grounds. The precise interplay between the Residential Tenancies Act and human-rights protections determines the remedies and forums available; consult the cited statutes for governing sections and procedural rules[2][3].

Document every communication and retain screening records if you suspect income-source discrimination.

How to Report and Seek Remedies

  1. Collect evidence: screenshots of ads, emails, rental applications, and notes of conversations.
  2. File a municipal complaint with City of London By-law Enforcement for bylaw or licensing issues via the City rental/property standards page[1].
  3. Consider filing at the Landlord and Tenant Board or a human-rights complaint where discrimination is alleged; see the Residential Tenancies Act and Human Rights Code for procedures[2][3].
  4. Meet time limits: procedural time limits vary by forum—check the applicable statute or tribunal guidance for deadlines (not specified on the cited City page).
Start a complaint promptly to preserve remedies and time-limited rights.

FAQ

Can a landlord refuse me because I receive social assistance?
No—refusing tenancy solely for receipt of public assistance may amount to discrimination; seek advice and consider a human-rights complaint or LTB application.
Who enforces municipal rental rules in London?
City of London By-law Enforcement handles municipal standards and licensing complaints; more information is on the City's rental/property standards pages[1].
Where do I find forms to file a complaint?
Use the Landlord and Tenant Board for tenancy remedies and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario for discrimination claims; forms and guides are on the provincial sites cited above[2][3].

How-To

  1. Gather documentation of the discriminatory act (ads, messages, application outcomes).
  2. Submit a municipal complaint to City of London By-law Enforcement if the issue involves licensing or property standards[1].
  3. File an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board or a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario depending on the remedy you seek.
  4. Pay any applicable application fees and follow procedural steps on the tribunal or board site; check deadlines closely.

Key Takeaways

  • Income-source discrimination can trigger human-rights or tenancy remedies depending on the facts.
  • Contact City of London By-law Enforcement for municipal issues and the appropriate provincial tribunal for legal remedies.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of London - Rental Property Standards
  2. [2] Residential Tenancies Act, 2006
  3. [3] Ontario Human Rights Code

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