Rights When Moving Into a Unit With Unresolved Pests

Moving into a Manitoba rental should not mean accepting unresolved bedbugs, cockroaches, mice, or other infestations. Tenants and renters are generally entitled to a clean, safe, and reasonably habitable home, while landlords must respond appropriately to conditions that affect health or the unit's use. If pests are present when you receive the keys, act promptly: record what you find, notify the landlord in writing, and keep copies of every response. Your lease, the Residential Tenancies Act, and evidence about the infestation can affect your options. This guide explains what to do before and after move-in, how pest-control responsibility may be assessed, and how Manitoba's Residential Tenancies Branch can help if the problem is not resolved.