What Manitoba Landlords Can and Cannot Do: Tenant Legal Guide

Understanding your rights as a tenant in Manitoba is essential for maintaining a safe and respectful rental relationship. Manitoba law ensures that while landlords have responsibilities, they are also subject to clear boundaries that protect tenants from unfair treatment. Whether you’re dealing with maintenance issues, privacy concerns, or rent increases, this guide highlights what actions your landlord can—and cannot—take in Manitoba.

The Key Rules Landlords Must Follow in Manitoba

Manitoba’s rental laws—governed by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)—and enforced by the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB), set out the rights and duties of both landlords and tenants. Here’s what you need to know.

What Landlords Are Allowed to Do

• Collect rent according to your written or verbal agreement, and only as set out in the lease.
• Request a security deposit at the beginning of a tenancy (cannot be more than half a month’s rent).
• Increase rent with proper written notice, once per 12-month period, and at least three months in advance.
• Enter the rental unit for repairs or inspection, but must provide at least 24 hours’ written notice (except emergencies).
• Apply for termination or eviction according to Manitoba law, using approved reasons and correct notice forms.

What Landlords Cannot Do

• Enter your unit without proper written notice (except for emergencies like fire or flood).
• Change the locks or remove doors/windows to force you out (“self-help” evictions are illegal).
• Shut off essential services (heat, water, electricity) as retaliation or to force you to leave.
• Increase rent outside of the annual rules or without proper notice.
• Charge more than the legal maximum for a security deposit.
• Discriminate based on protected grounds (e.g., race, family status, disability).

Most landlord actions must comply with both the lease agreement and Manitoba’s Residential Tenancies Act.¹

Protecting Your Privacy and Security

Your right to privacy is protected. Outside of emergencies, your landlord must always give you written notice—at least 24 hours—before entering your home. These rules apply to inspections, repairs, or showing the unit to future tenants.

Rent Payments, Deposits, and Repairs

Landlords must follow Manitoba's strict rules for collecting rent and security deposits. Security deposits can be no more than half a month's rent and must be held in trust. After your tenancy ends, the landlord must return your deposit (plus interest, if applicable) unless there are lawful deductions for damages.

For details, see Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know.

If repairs are needed, notify your landlord in writing. They must address issues affecting health and safety, such as leaky plumbing or heating problems. For more information, visit Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

Living Conditions and Repairs

• Landlords are responsible for maintaining the unit in a condition that meets health, safety, and housing standards.
• If you face a repair emergency (e.g. loss of heat in winter), you have the right to have repairs done promptly.

When a Landlord Can Evict or End a Tenancy

Evictions in Manitoba are strictly regulated. Your landlord can only pursue eviction for valid reasons, such as non-payment of rent, illegal activity, repeated late rent, or causing serious damage. They cannot evict without serving the proper legal notice using official RTB forms.

Evictions are reviewed by the Residential Tenancies Branch. If you believe you have been unfairly asked to leave, you can dispute the notice with the RTB before it takes effect.

Common Official Forms for Manitoba Tenants

• Notice to Remedy or Vacate (Form 2): Used by landlords to notify tenants of problems (like unpaid rent) and give an opportunity to fix the issue.
  Example: If your landlord claims you haven't paid rent, you might receive this form, giving you time to pay before further action. View official form
• Notice of Termination by Landlord (Form 11): Used to officially end a tenancy for reasons permitted by law, such as repeated rule violations. View official form
• Application for Order of Possession (Form 9A): If a tenant refuses to vacate after a valid termination, a landlord may file this to seek an order from the RTB. View official form
• Notice of Objection to Termination (Form 13): Used by tenants to dispute a landlord’s notice of termination. File this with the RTB within seven days after receiving a notice.
  Example: If you get a termination notice you disagree with, you can submit this form and explain your reasons to the RTB. View official form

How Rent Increases Must Work

• Landlords must give you at least three months’ written notice before any rent increase.
• Rent can only be increased once every 12 months.
• The increase amount is regulated annually by the government.

For more on these protections, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Manitoba.

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