Can landlord refuse rent based on race or disability?
How the answer differs across 4 jurisdictions
CanadaFull article No, landlords in Canada cannot refuse to rent to you because of your race or disability — it is illegal discrimination under federal and provincial human rights laws.
AustraliaFull article It is illegal in Australia to refuse to rent a property to someone because of their race. The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and state/territory anti-discrimination laws protect you.
IrelandFull article No, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to you solely because you receive the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) — this is unlawful discrimination under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004.
European UnionFull article The EU Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC) prohibits discrimination in housing based on ethnicity and requires all EU Member States to implement national laws enforcing this right.
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CanadaCan a landlord refuse to rent to me because of my race or disability?AustraliaI was told I couldn't rent a property because of my race. What legal protections exist?IrelandCan a landlord refuse to rent to me because of my race or disability?European UnionI was refused housing because of my ethnicity. What EU law protects me?Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.