With over 170 entries, this annotated bibliography represents the first comprehensive collection of grey literature on the right to housing for disabled people in Canada, focusing on four provinces – British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Ontario – as well as Canada-wide and international sources. It aims to fill a significant gap in existing research by providing a resource that captures the evolving landscape of housing rights for disabled individuals over the past 30 years.
This bibliography is particularly valuable because it highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in this area, offering a nuanced view of what has and has not changed. As grey literature often bypasses the lengthy peer review and editorial processes of academic publishing, it can provide more current and diverse insights. This is especially important for underrepresented areas and authors who might lack access to traditional publishing platforms.
Our hope is that it will serve as a crucial tool for both academic researchers and community-based groups, reflecting the lived experiences of disabled individuals and the work of non-profit organizations dedicated to service and advocacy. Ultimately, we envision this bibliography as a catalyst for political and social change, informing efforts to secure and improve the right to housing for disabled people in Canada.
A note on terminology
There is an evolving discussion over terminology in the disability community, with an argument made for using the term “disabled people” and another for using “people with disabilities.” Apart from this debate, “disabled people” reflects the social model of disability. People are disabled by external factors. We respect all arguments and everyone’s personal preferences and use both phrases in our work.
On this page, find key information about the rent regulation laws in place in your province or territory, including about:
* The information on this page was last updated in May 2024.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
No, Alberta does not have a rent control policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
Yes, British Columbia has a rent control policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what limit allows?
If a landlord wants to raise the rent beyond the limits allowed in the RTA, they can apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch. The RTA lists specific reasons why a landlord can apply for an above limit which include:
Do rent control limits apply when renters change?
When a renter leaves a unit, there are no legal limits for how much a landlord can increase the rent for a new renter.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
Yes. Manitoba has a rent control policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year. There is currently a rent freeze in place which means that for 2022 and 2023 the rent increase limit is 0%.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what limit allows?
A landlord may apply to the Director of Residential Tenancies to be allowed to raise the rent above the annual limit. If a renter objects to the increase, they may file an objection with the Director.
Do rent control limits apply when renters change?
If a renter moves out of a unit in a building that has four or more units, the rent charged for the new renter may be increased to the average rent being charged for similar units in the same building if notice is given to the new renters. But if a renter moves out of a rental unit in a building that has three units or less, the landlord can increase the rent by any amount that they decide, if they provide notice to the new renters.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
Yes. New Brunswick has a rent control policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which says that landlords cannot increase the rent to more than what is reasonable in relation to the rent charged for comparable units in the same geographical area. However, the policy only applies if a tenant takes steps to enforce it.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to some rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
No. Newfoundland and Labrador does not have a rent control policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my territory have a rent control policy?
No. Northwest Territories does not have a rent control policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
No. Nova Scotia does not have a permanent rent control policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act on how and when rent can be increased. The province implemented a temporary rent control policy in November 2020 in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, which is set to expire on December 31, 2023.
What are the general rules around rent increases?
What is the temporary rent control policy?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my territory have a rent control policy?
No. Nunavut does not have a rent control policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
Yes, Ontario has a rent control policy in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) which sets the maximum limits by which landlords can increase the rent every year. In Ontario these are referred to as guidelines.
What are the rules of rent increases?
After a renter moves in, a landlord must wait at least 12 months before raising the rent. After that, any rent increases must also be 12 months apart.
Landlords must give renters a written notice of at least 90 days before the rent goes up. The notice should be on one of the forms from the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). Even if the landlord does not use the LTB form, a notice might still be valid if it includes all the information that can be found on the LTB form.
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what limit allows?
Landlords can apply to the LTB for permission to raise the rent by more than what is allowed in the guideline. This is referred to as an above guideline increase or AGI. The RTA lists specific reasons why a landlord can apply for an AGI which include:
If the landlord gets approval for an AGI, they must still wait 12 months between rent increases and give 90 days’ written notice to the renter before the rent goes up.
Do rent control limits apply when renters change?
When a renter leaves a unit, there are no legal limits for how much a landlord can increase the rent for a new renter.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
Yes, Prince Edward Island has a rent control policy in the Rental of Residential Property Act. Each year the amount of rent increase that is allowed is decided by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC). IRAC considers several factors to calculate the rent increase limit including vacancy rates, the economic outlook for the province, and changes to the Consumer Price Index.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent by more than what limit allows?
If a landlord wants to raise the rent above the limit that is allowed, they must apply to the Office of the Director of Residential Rental Property, and the Director will decide on the increase. A hearing must take place which may be attended by the renter. The Director will consider different factors when making their decision including:
Do rent control limits apply when renters change?
Rent increases are attached to the unit and not the renter. Rent cannot be automatically increased between different renters. If a new renter moves in, the landlord can only increase the rent according to the rules around rent increases mentioned above. If a landlord wants to increase the rent beyond the limit, they must apply to the Office of the Director of Residential Rental Property.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
Yes, but it only applies if a tenant refuses a proposed increase within one month of receiving notice of it. If a tenant doesn’t refuse, then a landlord can increase the rent by any amount.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my province have a rent control policy?
No. Saskatchewan does not have a rent control policy, and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) on how and when rent can be increased.
What are the rules around rent increases?
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Yes, subject to certain rules.
Does my territory have a rent control policy?
No. Yukon does not have a permanent rent control policy and there are no limits to how much a landlord may increase the rent. But there are some rules in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act on how and when rent can be increased. A temporary rent control policy was introduced in May 2021 that will be in place until January 31, 2023.
What are the general rules around rent increases?
What is the temporary rent control policy?
As a tenant leader, advocating for tenant communities on the ground will require a fair knowledge of the policies and legal frameworks through which the right to housing is implemented in Canada. This toolbox provides a range of practical resources to support your leadership and advocacy work, with tools to increase your understanding of the right to housing in Canada.
Tenant leaders will usually be the first point of contact for impacted communities – with tenants themselves but also politicians, developers, lawyers and housing service providers. A key aspect of your advocacy work will be information: knowing which laws and policies regulate housing and how to best navigate the housing system will go a long way in preparing your claims and providing support to fellow tenants.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
The Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) has an online repository of resources on the right to housing in Canada. Below are some key resources on the right to housing, rental housing and the rights of tenants.
This toolkit offers tenant leaders with a range of practical information to support their advocacy work to claim the right to housing in their communities. It provides an overview of the main principles of the right to housing, Canada’s obligations to implement the right to housing, and policies at different levels of government that can help advance the right to housing. It also outlines what a human rights-based approach to housing can look like, examples of systemic housing issues experienced in Canada, and practical tools that can help tenants mobilize their communities and effectively participate in decision-making processes.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
This resource is designed to help tenant leaders develop inclusive and participatory strategies to engage their community to claim their right to housing. It outlines the key principles for increased participation within tenant communities, building effective leadership, and mobilizing and organizing tenants. It also offers a guide on how to create strategic planning tools such as community action plans, communication plans and advocacy plans.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
This resource is designed to help tenant leaders understand the responsibilities of each level of government to implement the right to housing, so that they can target their housing advocacy more effectively. It outlines the obligations of each level of government to implement the right to housing, as well as how to overcome jurisdictional challenges. It also offers a guide on what tenant leaders can do to advocate for their right to housing at each level of government.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
This resource provides an overview of a human rights-based approach to housing. It is designed to help tenant leaders identify the root causes of housing challenges, the groups whose rights are most impacted by those challenges, and the institutions that have an obligation resolve them. It provides guiding tools to develop rights-based housing solutions and to hold institutions accountable for implementing the right to housing.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
This document guides renters and community leaders on how to effectively engage with their local government to advance the right to housing in their communities. It includes information on how City Councils address housing issues, and provides guidelines for tenant leaders to make submissions and deputations at City Council meetings so that they can advocate for the issues that are most important to them.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
This guide provides renters and community leaders with information on how to effectively engage with their provincial or territorial government to advance the right to housing in their communities. It includes an overview of how provinces and territories regulate the rights of tenants, and how provincial and territorial legislatures introduce laws that can impact the right to housing. It also includes a guide for tenant leaders on how to be involved in these processes by writing a letter to their local representative or petitioning the legislative assembly.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
This guide provides renters and community leaders with information on how to make a submission to the Federal Housing Advocate, to claim their right to housing. It provides an overview of the Advocate’s role and the review process. It also guides tenant leaders on how to structure a submission, what information to include and how to gather it, as well as a practical checklist and examples of previous submissions that have been made by community members.
Inside the toolbox you’ll find:
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