Safe and Habitable Rentals: Your Rights in Manitoba

Every tenant in Manitoba deserves to live in a rental unit that is safe and fit for healthy living. Provincial laws set clear rules around your right to a habitable home, including landlord responsibilities for repairs, health, and safety. This guide highlights what Manitoba tenants should expect, where to turn for help, and what to do if your rental is not up to standard.

What Does "Safe and Habitable" Mean in Manitoba?

Under Manitoba’s laws, your rental unit must be "habitable" – meaning it’s safe, sanitary, and suitable for year-round living. This includes working plumbing, heat, smoke alarms, no serious leaks or infestations, and meeting local building and health codes.

• All basic systems (plumbing, heating, electricity) must work safely.
• No severe mold, pests, or health hazards.
• Proper locks and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors are required.
• Landlords must fix damage caused by "normal wear and tear."

For a deeper look at these requirements, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Manitoba.

Landlord Responsibilities for Maintenance and Repairs

In Manitoba, landlords are legally required to ensure rentals stay in good repair. The Residential Tenancies Act (Manitoba) makes this clear. Landlords must:

• Provide and maintain the rental so it complies with health, safety, building and occupancy standards.
• Promptly repair things that break from regular use.
• Address serious issues, like furnace failure in winter, quickly – often within 24 hours.

Tenant responsibilities include notifying your landlord, in writing, about any issues as soon as they arise. For ongoing problems like pests or leaks, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting for practical steps and your rights.

What Should Tenants Do When a Rental Isn't Habitable?

When safety or health issues are not resolved after you’ve notified your landlord, you can take further action:

• Document problems (take photos, keep copies of written requests).
• Use Manitoba’s Form 4 - Request for Orders to formally ask the Residential Tenancies Branch for help. This process can order repairs or set rent reductions.
• For emergencies (like no heat in winter), contact the landlord right away and notify the Branch if not resolved quickly.

Find official forms for tenants in Manitoba and instructions.

About the Residential Tenancies Branch

The official agency handling rental disputes in Manitoba is the Residential Tenancies Branch. They investigate complaints, mediate disputes, and can issue legally binding repair orders.

If a landlord does not respond to repair requests, tenants in Manitoba can apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch, often without needing a lawyer.

Initial and Ongoing Inspections

When you move in or out, complete a walk-through inspection with the landlord. This protects your deposit and ensures both sides agree on the condition. Learn more in the Guide to the Initial Rental Property Inspection for Tenants.

Regular inspections during your tenancy must follow Manitoba’s legal notice rules (usually at least 24 hours written notice).

Forms for Manitoba Tenants

• Form 4 – Request for Orders:
  If your rental isn't safe or repairs haven't been done after written notice, use this to apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch for action. Example: A tenant with no heat in January can fill out Form 4 to request an order for emergency repairs or a rent reduction. Download Form 4 from the MB government.
• Move-in/Move-out Inspection Report:
  Used at the start and end of your lease to document the condition of the unit, protecting your deposit. Find the inspection report here.

Relevant Manitoba Laws and Where to Learn More

The main law protecting tenants is the Residential Tenancies Act (Manitoba).
The Residential Tenancies Branch has helpful guides, forms, and support.

FAQ – Safe and Habitable Rentals in Manitoba

1. What should I do if my landlord refuses to fix a major repair issue?
   First, make your request in writing. If they still do not act, gather evidence (messages, photos) and apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch for an order for repairs using Form 4.
2. Can I withhold rent if my apartment is not safe or habitable?
   Do not withhold rent without proper legal steps, as this may put you at risk of eviction. Apply to the Branch for a repair order or rent reduction instead.
3. What counts as an "emergency repair" in Manitoba?
   Emergencies include no heat in winter, flooded units, dangerous electrical faults, or no running water. Landlords must fix these quickly.
4. Who pays for damage caused by wear and tear?
   Landlords are responsible for repairing normal wear and tear. Tenants only pay for damage caused on purpose or by neglect.
5. Where can I get help if my rental is unsafe?
   Contact the Residential Tenancies Branch for free information or to file a formal complaint. Tenant advocacy organizations can also help guide you.

Wrapping Up: Key Tenant Takeaways

• You have the right under Manitoba law to a safe, healthy, and properly maintained rental.
• Document all issues and requests. Put everything in writing.
• If repairs or safety fixes are not made, act by contacting the Residential Tenancies Branch or filing the official request forms.

For quick access to rentals you can trust, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme to compare options in your city.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancies Branch (official Manitoba resource for all tenant/landlord issues)
• Manitoba RTB forms and guides
• Legal Aid Manitoba (for tenants facing legal issues)
• Manitoba Housing – Renters information

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1. Manitoba Residential Tenancies Act: Full Text of Manitoba Residential Tenancies Act
2. Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch: Official Tribunal Homepage
3. Manitoba RTB Forms: Official Forms and Instructions

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