Tenant Rights in Manitoba: Denied Housing for Pet Ownership

Many Manitobans want to find a rental home where their pets are welcome, but it's not always simple. If you've been denied housing in Manitoba due to having a pet, understanding your rights—and your landlord's obligations—is essential.

Pet Ownership and Rental Housing: What the Law Says

In Manitoba, landlords are generally allowed to prohibit pets in rental units unless an exception applies, such as a service animal for a disability. There is currently no law in Manitoba that requires landlords to accept pets in standard tenancies. Instead, pet policies are at the landlord's discretion, unless the pet is specifically required because of a disability.

Human Rights and Discrimination: Service Animals

The Manitoba Human Rights Code protects individuals from discrimination based on disability. If your pet is a certified service animal (such as a guide dog), a landlord cannot refuse to rent to you because of that animal. Denying housing in this case may be a violation of the Manitoba Human Rights Code.^[1]

Examples of protected service animals include seeing-eye dogs, seizure response dogs, or other trained assistance animals for a tenant's disability. Emotional support animals may qualify if their necessity is supported by a medical professional, but legal recognition is more limited.

Regular Pets: Landlord Rights and Policies

If your pet is not a service animal, landlords can generally deny your application or implement 'no pets' clauses in leases. However, these rules must be clearly stated in the rental agreement. The Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB) is the tribunal responsible for regulating residential tenancies in Manitoba. For a balanced view on what landlords and tenants can expect, consider reviewing Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Manitoba.

Rental Deposits and Pet Damage Deposits

Landlords in Manitoba who do accept pets may ask for a pet damage deposit. However, the total deposit (including any standard security deposit) cannot exceed one month’s rent.

• Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know

Always ensure that any extra deposits for pets are documented in your rental agreement before you move in.

Key Forms and How to Use Them

1. Application for Resolution of a Dispute (Form: RTB-1)

• When to use: If you believe your rights under the Manitoba Human Rights Code have been violated (for example, denial of a service animal), contact the Manitoba Human Rights Commission first for advice and complaint procedures.
• If the dispute is tenancy-related (e.g., eviction over a service animal), you may apply to the Residential Tenancies Branch using their Application for an Order of Possession or Other Order (RTB-1).

2. Manitoba Human Rights Complaint Form

• Name: Complaint Intake Form
• When to use: If you believe you have been discriminated against—for example, denied a rental unit due to a required service animal.
• How it works: File the form with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. Include supporting documents, such as a doctor’s letter or animal training certificate.

Reasonable Accommodation: Understanding Your Rights

The duty to reasonably accommodate applies when the pet in question is necessary due to a disability. Landlords must make those accommodations unless it causes undue hardship (such as severe allergies in a shared space). For regular pets, this duty does not apply.

What Can a Tenant Do If Denied?

• Ask the landlord for a written explanation for the denial.
• If denied due to a service animal, gather documents (medical and service animal certificates) and contact the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.
• Consider submitting a dispute application to the Residential Tenancies Branch if a tenancy-related agreement is in place and your rights are denied.

For more practical information about rights and dealing with issues during your tenancy, see Common Issues Tenants Face and How to Resolve Them.

You can always Search pet-friendly rentals on Houseme.ca to find listings where pets are welcome across Manitoba and Canada.

FAQ: Pet Ownership, Discrimination, and Manitoba Law

1. Can my landlord refuse my pet in Manitoba?
   Yes, unless the animal is a service animal required because of a disability. For regular pets, a landlord may legally include a no-pets policy in your rental agreement.
2. Can a landlord charge extra for having a pet?
   Yes, but in Manitoba, pet damage deposits plus the standard deposit cannot exceed one month’s rent in total.
3. What if my emotional support animal is not recognized as a service animal?
   Currently, Manitoba’s legal protection is strongest for trained, certified service animals. For emotional support animals, recognition is case-by-case and requires strong medical documentation.
4. Where can I complain if I believe I was discriminated against because of my service animal?
   File a complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and, for tenancy disputes, contact the Residential Tenancies Branch.

Key Takeaways for Manitoba Tenants

• Landlords may refuse pets in general—but not certified service animals needed for a disability.
• Detailed pet and damage deposit rules apply—know your limits before signing.
• Support and complaint processes are available via the Manitoba Human Rights Commission and Residential Tenancies Branch.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB): Official RTB Manitoba website
• Manitoba Human Rights Commission: File a human rights complaint here
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Manitoba: Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Manitoba
• Learn more about deposits: Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know
• Find pet-friendly Manitoba rentals: Search pet-friendly rentals on Houseme.ca

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1. [1] The Manitoba Human Rights Code
2. [2] Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB), Province of Manitoba
3. [3] Application for an Order of Possession or Other Order (RTB-1), RTB Manitoba
4. [4] Manitoba Human Rights Complaint Process

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