Quick answer. The Alberta Human Rights Act prohibits landlord discrimination in tenant selection on 14 protected grounds: race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, family status, and source of income (added in 2018) and sexual orientation. Compliant screening applies a uniform written criteria set to every applicant (credit check, income verification, references, ID), documents the specific reason for each accept or reject decision, avoids questions or listing language referencing protected grounds, and treats source of income (including AISH, employment insurance, child support, pension) equivalently to employment income. Refusing an AISH applicant, refusing families with children, refusing based on religion or sexual orientation, or including 'no kids' or 'young professionals only' in a listing are the most common landlord violations. Complaints go to the Alberta Human Rights Commission, and adverse findings can include damages awards, orders to lease, and public case publication.
The 14 Protected Grounds
- Race
- Colour
- Ancestry
- Place of origin (including national origin)
- Religious beliefs
- Gender
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
- Age (18+ for tenancy contexts)
- Physical disability
- Mental disability
- Marital status (married, single, common-law, divorced, separated, widowed)
- Family status (with or without children, including single-parent families)
- Source of income (including AISH, EI, WCB, child support, pensions, in addition to employment income)
- Sexual orientation
Discrimination on any of these grounds in tenant selection, terms of tenancy, provision of services, or any tenancy-related decision violates the Act. Both refusal to rent and adverse treatment during a tenancy can support complaints.
The Uniform Screening Framework
The best defence against a Human Rights complaint is a documented, consistent screening process applied to every applicant. The framework:
- Publish written screening criteria on your listing or make them available to any applicant on request. Criteria typically: credit score minimum (e.g., 650), income-to-rent ratio (e.g., 2.8x monthly rent), two positive previous-landlord references, government-issued photo ID, completed application form.
- Accept applications on a first-come-first-served basis until the criteria are met by a qualified applicant.
- Apply the identical process to each applicant: run the same credit check, verify the same income documentation, call the same reference contacts, ask the same questions.
- Document each decision in writing: applicant name, application date, criterion applied, specific reason for accept or reject. Keep the record for at least 12 months.
What You Can Ask
- Name and contact information.
- Employment or income source and amount (to verify income-to-rent ratio, without distinguishing acceptable vs unacceptable source types).
- Rental history including previous landlord contact information.
- Consent for credit check and background check.
- Government-issued ID for identity verification.
- Number of proposed occupants (to confirm compliance with occupancy limits under the lease).
- Whether the applicant has pets (only if the lease prohibits or restricts pets; the answer cannot lead to blanket family or lifestyle refusal).
- Preferred move-in date and lease term.
What You Cannot Ask
- Nationality, birthplace, ethnicity, or ancestral origin.
- Religion or religious observance requirements.
- Marital status ('are you married,' 'is this your spouse') beyond noting joint applicants for lease purposes.
- Whether the applicant has children or plans to have children.
- Age (beyond confirming 18+ for lease capacity).
- Disability status (except in the narrow context of accommodation requests).
- Sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
- Source of income in a way that distinguishes acceptable vs unacceptable sources (e.g., 'do you work' or 'no AISH accepted').
- Immigration status beyond confirming legal capacity to enter the lease.
Source of Income: The 2018 Change
Since 2018, source of income is a protected ground under the Alberta Human Rights Act. This means: refusing an applicant because their income comes from Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), Employment Insurance, child support, pensions, disability benefits, or any other lawful source is discrimination. The relevant factor is whether the total income meets the income-to-rent ratio, not the source. Common landlord violations: 'no AISH accepted' in listings, requiring only employment income, refusing to consider spousal support as income. All are direct violations.
Family Status and 'Adult-Only' Buildings
Family status protection means refusing tenants because they have children (or plan to) is discrimination. Listings saying 'no kids,' 'adult only,' or 'quiet single professionals only' violate the Act. The narrow exception is 55+ seniors buildings, which are permitted under specific provisions of the Act. General condo buildings, apartment buildings, and single-family homes cannot be adult-only. Landlords who advertise or apply an adult-only preference to a non-seniors building face complaints and damages awards routinely.
Listing Language: What to Say and What to Avoid
Compliant listing language focuses on the property and lease terms, not on the desired tenant type. Compliant: 'Two-bedroom condo. No smoking. Small pets considered with pet deposit. $2,100 per month plus utilities. Available July 1.' Non-compliant: 'Young professional couple preferred. No children. Quiet mature tenant sought. Working professionals only.' Every clause that references who the tenant should be rather than what the lease requires is a compliance risk.
Documenting Decisions
Every accept and reject decision should be documented with a specific criterion-based reason. Compliant: 'Applicant [name] refused: credit score 580 below stated minimum of 650.' 'Applicant [name] refused: income-to-rent ratio 2.1x below stated minimum of 2.8x.' 'Applicant [name] accepted: met all criteria on [date].' Non-compliant: no documentation; verbal accept/reject; documentation that references any protected ground; documentation that says 'not a good fit' without specifics. Documentation must be able to demonstrate that the decision was based on the neutral criterion, not on any protected characteristic.
The Complaint Process
A prospective or existing tenant who believes they have been discriminated against can file a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC). The AHRC investigates, may attempt mediation, and can refer the matter to a tribunal for hearing. Remedies include damages awards (typical range $500 to $15,000 depending on severity), orders to lease the unit, orders to change screening practices, and publication of the finding. Public naming can be significant for a small local property manager or individual landlord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refuse a tenant on AISH?
No. Source of income is a protected ground. AISH income counts as income; if the total meets your income-to-rent ratio and other neutral criteria, the application must be evaluated on those criteria. Refusing because the income is AISH is discrimination.
Can I refuse a tenant because they have children?
No. Family status is protected. The rare exception is a 55+ seniors building under the specific statutory carve-out; standard condo, apartment, and single-family home rentals cannot refuse based on children.
Can I ask an applicant about their religion?
No. Religion is a protected ground and religious questions have no bearing on tenant suitability. Do not ask, do not include on the application form.
Can I refuse if my credit check shows a low score?
Yes, provided the credit score threshold is your published, neutral, uniformly-applied criterion. Refusing based on failed credit check is a neutral basis if applied consistently to every applicant.
Does UrbanLease handle screening compliance for owner clients?
Yes. UrbanLease applies a standardised written screening process to every applicant across every managed property, documents each decision with the specific neutral criterion, and defends any resulting complaint if one arises. Property management services provided by PREP Realty, a RECA-licensed Alberta brokerage.
Bottom Line
Alberta Human Rights compliance in tenant screening comes down to two disciplines: publish neutral criteria and apply them uniformly. Documenting each accept and reject decision against the specific criterion is the evidence that defends against complaints. Common violations (refusing AISH tenants, adult-only listings, questions about children or religion, tolerating 'not a good fit' as a reason) are avoidable with a documented process. UrbanLease's screening workflow is designed for compliance and is applied consistently across every managed property under PREP Realty.