Manitoba Required Disclosures: Landlord Obligations and Compliance

Transparent communication between landlords and tenants is legally mandated in Manitoba. The Residential Tenancies Act, which came into force on 1 September 1992, requires formal up-front disclosures to ensure tenants are fully informed of their legal obligations, the landlord's contact details, and the terms governing their tenancy.

Summary of Mandatory Disclosures

Mandatory Contact Information Disclosure

Landlords or property management companies must provide tenants with specific contact information under section 43 of the Act:

Required Information

1. Full name — The landlord's legal name or corporate name (Section 43(1))
2. Address in the province — A valid address within Manitoba for service of legal documents and notices (Section 43(1))
3. Corporate Officer — If the landlord is a corporation, the name of an individual officer or employee must be provided (Section 43(1.1))

Disclosure Methods

Change of Contact Information

If the landlord's contact information changes during the tenancy:

• The landlord must promptly notify all tenants of the updated information
• Failure to update contact details may constitute a breach of disclosure obligations
• Tenants who cannot reach their landlord for emergency repairs may escalate directly to the RTB

Lease and Rule Disclosures

Before a tenant signs a tenancy agreement, the landlord must fully disclose several categories of information:

1. Included Amenities and Utilities

A clear, unambiguous list distinguishing:

• Which utilities are included in the base rent (heat, water, electricity, gas)
• Which services are included (parking, laundry, storage, internet)
• Which costs are the direct responsibility of the tenant

2. Property Rules

If the building has specific rules, they must be:

• Explicitly disclosed at the time of lease signing
• Included in the Standard Tenancy Agreement
• Reasonable and promote safety and welfare of all occupants
• Applied fairly to all tenants — discriminatory rules are void

Common Rule Categories

| Smoke-free building designation, designated smoking areas | | Parking | Assigned spots, overnight guest parking policies | | Guests | Overnight guest limits, visitor registration in secured buildings | | Common areas | Laundry room hours, gym equipment usage, pool schedules | | Waste disposal | Recycling requirements, designated garbage areas, compost |

3. Mandatory Move-In Inspection

Under Section 19.1 of the Act, a landlord and tenant MUST together inspect the condition of the rental unit at the time the tenant takes possession:

• The landlord MUST complete a written inspection report
• The landlord MUST provide a signed copy of the inspection report to the tenant
• Failure to conduct this inspection or provide the report extinguishes the landlord's right to claim against the security deposit for damages (Section 19.1(4))

Form 1: The Standard Residential Tenancy Agreement

Manitoba mandates that landlords use the official RTB Standard Residential Tenancy Agreement (Form 1) (Section 8(1)). A custom document is not a statutory alternative.

Why Form 1 Works as a Disclosure Mechanism

The Form 1 itself functions as a comprehensive, forced disclosure because it requires the landlord to specify:

• The exact rent amount and what it includes
• The deposit amount and applicable rules
• The names of all occupants
• The lease term and renewal provisions
• Contact information for the landlord or property manager
• The tenant's rights under the RTA

The 21-Day Delivery Deadline

After the tenant signs the tenancy agreement, the following requirements apply under section 13 of the Act:

• The landlord must deliver a fully executed copy (signed by both parties) within 21 days after the tenant signs it (s. 13(1))
• Delivery can be in person, by registered mail, or by email (if the tenant has agreed)
• If the landlord fails to deliver within 21 days, the tenant's obligation to pay rent is suspended (s. 13(2))
• Once the landlord delivers the agreement, the tenant must pay all rent that was suspended during the period of non-compliance (s. 13(3))

Disclosure of Building Systems and Safety Information

Beyond the basic statutory requirements, best practices suggest landlords should also disclose:

Safety Information

• Location of fire exits and evacuation routes
• Location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits in common areas
• Emergency procedures for the building (fire, flood, severe weather)
• Smoke detector and CO detector locations within the unit

Building Systems

• How to operate the heating system (especially for units with individual furnace controls)
• Location of electrical panel and water shutoff for the unit
• Laundry and amenity schedules in multi-unit buildings
• Waste collection schedule and recycling procedures

Consequences of Failure to Disclose

Best Practices for Landlords

1. Provide all disclosures in writing — Verbal disclosures are difficult to prove and may not satisfy the RTA
2. Use the official Form 1 — Ensure compliance by using the government-prescribed template as required by Section 8(1)
3. Deliver the lease immediately — Aim to provide the executed copy within days, not the maximum 21
4. Post contact info prominently — In multi-unit buildings, maintain a current notice in the lobby with an address for service in the province
5. Update information promptly — Notify tenants immediately if your address or management company changes
6. Include rules in the lease — Ensure all property rules are explicitly included within the Standard Tenancy Agreement
7. Document the move-in condition — Conduct the mandatory inspection with the tenant and provide the signed report immediately

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