Being a renter in Manitoba and discovering your landlord has lost the entry key can be unsettling. You may worry about safety, privacy, and who pays for lock changes or rekeying. This guide explains practical steps tenants can take right away, what the Residential Tenancies Branch and the Residential Tenancies Act say about entry and locks, and how to document incidents, request repairs or lock changes, and, if necessary, start a dispute. The advice is written for tenants with no legal training and focuses on reasonable actions, clear timelines, and how to use forms and official channels to protect your rights and personal security in Manitoba.
Immediate steps for tenants
If you learn the landlord has lost an entry key, act promptly but calmly. Start by communicating in writing and keep records of all messages and receipts. If you feel unsafe, treat the situation as an urgent security matter.
- Contact the landlord or property manager immediately to ask when the key was lost and what steps they will take to secure the unit.
- Request a lock change or rekeying if your safety or privacy may be compromised, and ask for a timeline for completion.
- Document everything: keep copies of texts, emails, photos of any evidence, and receipts for locksmiths or temporary security measures.
What the law and Manitoba process cover
Manitoba tenants use the Residential Tenancies Branch to resolve disputes about entry, locks, and related costs[1]. The province's Residential Tenancies Act sets out rules about landlord entry, notice, and obligations regarding security and repairs[2]. If a landlord cannot produce a key, they should explain how they will secure the unit; if they do not act reasonably, a tenant can consider filing a dispute with the Branch.
Official forms and when to use them
Key RTB forms you should know:
- Application for Dispute Resolution — used when a tenant cannot reach agreement with the landlord and wants the Branch to decide; for example, if a landlord refuses to pay a locksmith or refuses to change locks after losing a key[3].
- Request for Maintenance or Repair (use any written template or the landlord's maintenance request form) — use this to ask for a lock change and keep a copy as evidence of notice.
Costs and who pays
Whether a tenant or landlord pays for locksmith services depends on the circumstances. If the loss stems from the landlord's negligence (for example, they misplaced keys), the landlord may be responsible for reasonable locksmith or rekeying costs. If the tenant lost their own key or caused the loss, the tenant may be responsible. Always get written estimates or receipts and provide them to the landlord when requesting reimbursement.
- Keep receipts for locksmith work and any temporary security purchases to support a reimbursement claim or a dispute application.
- If the landlord refuses to reimburse reasonable expenses, consider filing an Application for Dispute Resolution with the Residential Tenancies Branch.
Communicating and escalation
Always put important requests and incident reports in writing and give the landlord a reasonable deadline to act (for example, 48–72 hours for a lock change in non-emergency situations). If you have urgent safety concerns, call local emergency services or ask the landlord to take immediate action and record that request.
- Set clear deadlines in writing for the landlord to secure the unit and note the date you sent the request.
- Collect evidence such as photos, messages, and receipts to attach to any dispute application.
FAQ
- Can a landlord enter my unit if they lost the key?
- A landlord must follow the Residential Tenancies Act rules on notice and lawful entry; they cannot use a lost-key situation to bypass required notice unless there is an emergency.
- Who pays for a lock change if the landlord loses the key?
- If the landlord's actions caused the loss, they are generally expected to cover reasonable costs; if the tenant caused the loss, the tenant may be responsible. Keep receipts and consider the Residential Tenancies Branch if you cannot agree.
- How do I file a dispute in Manitoba about a lost key or lock costs?
- Use the Residential Tenancies Branch Application for Dispute Resolution and attach documentation such as communications and receipts. See the Branch for current forms and procedures[1][3].
How-To
- Gather evidence: collect messages, photos, and receipts that show the lost key incident and any expenses.
- Send a written request to the landlord asking for a lock change or reimbursement and set a reasonable deadline.
- If the landlord does not act, complete the RTB Application for Dispute Resolution and attach your documentation.
- Attend the Branch's mediation or hearing and present your records; follow any order the Branch issues.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Branch (Manitoba)
- RTB forms and filing instructions
- Residential Tenancies Act (Manitoba)
