Winter in Manitoba brings heavy snow and ice that can create hazards for people entering and exiting rental buildings. As a tenant, understanding who is responsible for clearing snow and ice, the timeline for removal, and how to report unsafe conditions helps protect your safety and legal rights. This guide explains Manitoba rules for snow and ice removal, what landlords and tenants are typically expected to do, practical safety tips for stairs and walkways, and step-by-step options if hazards are not fixed. You will also find clear instructions on filing official complaints with the Residential Tenancies Branch and preserving evidence. Read on to learn simple actions to reduce injury risk and to assert your renter rights during the winter months.
Who is responsible for snow and ice?
Responsibility often depends on your lease agreement and local bylaws. Many Manitoba leases assign routine sidewalk and entrance clearing to the landlord, while tenants may be responsible for clearing private walkways or stairs that serve only their unit. Always check your lease and municipal bylaws for sidewalk maintenance rules; if your building has a property manager, that company may handle clearing as part of building maintenance.
- Landlords: keep common walkways, building entrances, and stairs safe and free of hazardous ice and snow.
- Landlords: arrange or pay for timely snow removal and repairs to handrails, lighting, and drainage that affect ice buildup.
- Tenants: clear private steps or walkways that are your responsibility under the lease and report hazards promptly to the landlord.
- Tenants: take reasonable steps to avoid injury (use salt or sand where allowed) and notify management if ice persists.
Maintaining safe walkways and entrances
Good practice reduces slip-and-fall risk: ensure entrances are well lit, handrails are secure, and drainage prevents refreezing. If a drain or roof run-off causes repeated ice on a walkway, the landlord should address the building defect that creates the hazard. For general habitability and tenant safety guidance, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.
- Fix hazards: report broken handrails, poor lighting, or blocked drains that increase ice formation.
- Document hazards: take photos or short videos showing dates and times and keep copies.
- Act quickly: notify the landlord in writing and request action within a reasonable time frame.
Reporting problems, official forms, and legal rights
If hazards are not fixed after you report them, you can file a complaint or an application with the Residential Tenancies Branch. Official forms and guidance are available from the provincial branch, including application forms used to request dispute resolution and landlord/tenant information pages on required repairs and timelines[1]. You can find general contact and enforcement information on the Residential Tenancies Branch main page[2], and the rules come from the Residential Tenancies Act[3].
Common official forms and how tenants use them:
- Application for Dispute Resolution (see forms page): use this to ask the branch to order repairs or compensation when the landlord does not respond; for example, file when repeated ice risks cause a fall risk and the landlord will not act.
- Notice to Repair or Maintain (see forms page): complete and deliver this if you request that a landlord fix a safety issue; keep a copy and proof of delivery as evidence.
Finding safer rentals and moving considerations
If recurring maintenance problems make a unit unsafe, consider your options: negotiate repairs, request a rent abatement, or look for another rental. For local rights and broader context about Manitoba tenancy rules see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Manitoba. If you are exploring other units, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme to review listings and filter for safer buildings.
FAQ
- Who decides who clears sidewalks or entrances at a rental property?
- Responsibility is usually set out in your lease and by municipal bylaw; common areas are often the landlord's duty while private unit entrances may be the tenant's.
- How long should I wait after reporting a hazardous ice condition?
- Reasonable time depends on the severity and weather; document your report and give the landlord a clear deadline in writing before filing an application for dispute resolution.
- Can I clear a landlords area and seek reimbursement?
- Sometimes you can, but only after written notice and if local rules or a dispute resolution decision allow reimbursement; preserve receipts and photos as evidence.
How-To
- Document the hazard with dated photos or videos and keep a short log of dates and times.
- Notify the landlord in writing, ask for action, and keep a copy of the message and any delivery confirmation.
- Wait the reasonable time you requested, then complete the Application for Dispute Resolution if the hazard is not fixed.
- Attend any scheduled dispute resolution or hearing and bring your photos, logs, and copies of communications.
- Follow the branch decision and keep records of any repairs or reimbursements ordered.
Key Takeaways
- Check your lease and municipal bylaws to know who clears snow and ice.
- Document hazards with photos, dates, and written notices to your landlord.
- If repairs are not made, use the Residential Tenancies Branch application process.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Branch, Province of Manitoba
- Residential Tenancies Branch - Forms
- Residential Tenancies Act (Manitoba)
