Manitoba Required Disclosures: Landlord Obligations and Compliance

Transparent communication between landlords and tenants is legally mandated in Manitoba. The Residential Tenancies Act 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 the following contact information:

Required Information

1. Full name — The landlord's legal name or corporate name
2. Mailing address — A valid address for correspondence and legal documents
3. Telephone number — A designated contact number for:

• Reporting urgent repairs
• Receiving legal documents and notices
• Communication regarding rent and lease matters

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 before the tenant signs the lease
• Attached to or referenced in the 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. Condition of the Premises

While not a formal statutory disclosure, landlords should document and share the condition of the unit:

• Conduct a move-in inspection with the tenant present
• Provide the tenant with a signed copy of the inspection report
• Note any pre-existing damage or deficiencies
• This protects both parties when the security deposit is assessed at move-out

Form 1: The Standard Residential Tenancy Agreement

Manitoba mandates that landlords use either the official RTB Standard Residential Tenancy Agreement (Form 1) or a custom document that contains all identical prescribed terms.

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 tenancy agreement is signed:

• The landlord must deliver a fully executed copy (signed by both parties) within 21 days
• 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 may have legal grounds to withhold rent until the document is supplied

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
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
5. Update information promptly — Notify tenants immediately if your phone number, address, or management company changes
6. Attach rules as an appendix — Keep building rules as a separate, signed document attached to the lease
7. Document the move-in condition — Conduct a thorough inspection with photos and have the tenant sign

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