A property manager in St. John's, Newfoundland, is screening potential tenants for a rental unit. An applicant discloses that they receive social assistance as their sole source of income. What is the Human Rights principle the property manager must adhere to regarding this applicant?

Question: A property manager in St. John's, Newfoundland, is screening potential tenants for a rental unit. An applicant discloses that they receive social assistance as their sole source of income. What is the Human Rights principle the property manager must adhere to regarding this applicant?

Answer options:

• The property manager can refuse the application as social assistance is not considered stable income. ✅ The property manager must treat the applicant equally and assess their application based on the same criteria as all other applicants.
• The property manager should request a larger security deposit due to the perceived instability of their income.
• The property manager is required to offer the unit to an applicant on social assistance over others.

Correct answer: The property manager must treat the applicant equally and assess their application based on the same criteria as all other applicants.

Explanation: Under Human Rights legislation across Canada, including Newfoundland and Labrador, discrimination based on source of income (which includes social assistance) is prohibited. The property manager must assess the applicant's ability to meet the tenancy obligations based on the same objective criteria as all other applicants, without prejudice based on the source of income.