Renters have different needs. For example, a renter with a large family may have different needs than other renters.
Under the Alberta Human Rights Act a landlord must try to accommodate your need. The need must relate to one or more of the 15 protected grounds. This is called the duty to accommodate.
What is the duty to accommodate?
Sometimes a renter has needs because a rule, policy, or space affects them in a negative way.
To accommodate means to make changes to a rule, policy, or space so a person is not affected in a negative way. The Act only covers the needs that relate to the 15 protected grounds.
For example, Mark uses a wheelchair. His landlord installed a ramp so Mark could enter and leave the building.
Every situation is different. If you are not sure if your need is related to one of the protected grounds, you can contact the Alberta Human Rights Commission.
You should not rely on this handout for legal advice. It provides general information on Alberta law only.
Funding for this handout was provided by the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund.
For more information on human rights, visit: http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/
Published May 2016. Copyright Legal Resource Centre of Alberta Ltd.