Reserves are segments of land designated by the Federal government and managed through the Indian Act for the use of an “Indian Band” – a colonial, legal term for a group of Indigenous, or First Nation, people.

Land on a Reserve is owned by the Federal government, and First Nations often issue a certificate of possession or certificate of occupation to document individual ownership of the property. However, while certificate holders can occupy the land, they cannot sell, transfer, or mortgage it. This means that individuals or First Nations can own the house or building on the land, but not the land itself.

Because of this, while people can rent a home on Reserve land, the RTA has no jurisdiction and cannot be used to solve landlord-tenant disputes.