The complainant, a single mother receiving Mother's Allowance, signed a lease for an apartment and provided a post-dated cheque.
The property management company returned the cheque, stating they did not accept post-dated cheques and would not accept applications from persons on Mother's Allowance unless their caseworker ensured direct payment of rent.
The complainant subsequently died, and her executrix continued the human rights complaint.
The Board of Inquiry found that the direct payment requirement was a flagrant and willful discrimination based on the receipt of public assistance, contrary to section 2(1) of the Human Rights Code.
The respondents were ordered to pay $1,750 in special damages and $2,500 in general damages, and to cease requiring direct payment of rent from persons receiving public assistance.
