Manitoba Residential Tenancies Act 2026 – Update 

What Is the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) in Manitoba?

The Residential Tenancies Act in Manitoba is the primary legislation governing rental housing in Manitoba. It sets out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, defines rules for rent increases, security deposits, repairs, entry to rental units, notices to vacate, and dispute resolution. The Act is administered and enforced by the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB), which provides information, mediation, and formal hearings to help resolve disagreements between landlords and tenants.

The purpose of the Manitoba Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) is to ensure fair, consistent, and transparent standards for rental housing across Manitoba while balancing the needs of both tenants seeking safe, secure homes and landlords managing residential property.

Overview

The RTA outlines the legal framework for nearly every aspect of renting in Manitoba. Key areas covered include:

• Starting a tenancy: Rules regarding applications, screening, tenancy agreements, and security deposits.
• Living in the rental unit: Standards for maintenance, repairs, privacy, landlord entry, and health and safety requirements.
• Rent rules: How rent increases must be given, annual guidelines, exemptions, and notice periods.
• Ending a tenancy: Proper notice procedures, reasons for eviction, and timelines for both landlords and tenants.
• Dispute resolution: Processes for filing claims, mediation services, orders of possession, and appeals.

The Act is updated periodically to address new housing challenges, clarify obligations, and improve fairness in Manitoba’s rental market.

Who does the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) Apply To?

The RTA applies to most residential rental situations in Manitoba, including:

• Apartments
• Houses and duplexes
• Rooming or boarding houses
• Mobile homes and mobile home lots
• Secondary suites (basement suites, in-law suites)
• Condos used as rental units

However, certain living arrangements are exempt from the RTA, such as:

• Institutional accommodations (e.g., hospitals, personal care homes)
• Educational housing provided by schools or universities in some cases
• Temporary shelters
• Co-operative housing where the tenant is a member of the co-op
• Units where the tenant shares the kitchen or bathroom with the homeowner

Understanding whether a rental situation is covered by the RTA is essential, as it determines which rules and protections apply.

2026 Rent Increase Guidelines and Exemptions

Rent increase guideline set for 2026

For 2026, the rent increase guideline is 1.8%, effective January 1, 2026. The annual rent increase guideline is the maximum percentage a landlord in Manitoba can raise rent without applying to the Residential Tenancies Branch for approval. The provincial government sets this limit each year, typically announcing it in late August or early September. The guideline takes effect on January 1 and applies to all rent increases within that calendar year. The calculation method is set out in the Residential Rent Regulation.

Calculating the Annual Rent Increase Guideline

Manitoba sets the annual rent increase guideline using a straightforward formula based on inflation. It looks at the average change in Manitoba’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) — the measure Statistics Canada uses to track the cost of living. The government compares the average CPI from one year to the average CPI from the year before it. The percentage difference becomes the rent increase guideline (rounded to one decimal place). Even if the formula suggests a higher number, the final guideline must stay within the Bank of Canada’s inflation-control range, which is currently 1% to 3%. In simple terms rent increases are tied to inflation and kept within a safe range set by the Bank of Canada.

Table: Manitoba Rent Increase Guideline

Year	Rent Increase Guideline
2026	1.8%
2025	1.7%
2024	3%
2023	0.0% (Rent Freeze)
2022	0.0% (Rent Freeze)
2021	1.6%

Find past rent increase guidelines here: https://www.gov.mb.ca/cca/rtb/resource_list/guidelinefactsheet.pdf

Some Exemptions from 2026 Rent Increase in Manitoba

Exemptions From the Guideline

Some rental units do not have to follow Manitoba’s annual rent increase guideline. Exempt units include:

• Rentals charging $1,670 or more per month
• Certain social housing units
• Units owned or operated by provincial, municipal, or federal governments
• Units in buildings first occupied after March 2005
• Not-for-profit life lease units
• Co-op housing units
• Approved rehabilitated rental units

Landlords may also request approval for a larger rent increase if they can show that the guideline amount doesn’t cover their rising costs.

Notice Rules for Rent Increases

In Manitoba, landlords must give tenants at least three months’ written notice before raising the rent in 2026. This means that if the increase takes effect on January 1, 2026, the notice must be given by September 30, 2025. Rent can generally only be increased once per year, with limited exceptions.

Key rules for 2026 rent increases:

• Notice: Tenants must receive written notice at least 3 months before the increase.
• Example: For a January 1, 2026 increase, notice must be given by September 30, 2025.
• Frequency: Rent increases are typically allowed once per year.
• Exceptions: These rules don’t apply to units first occupied after March 2005, not-for-profit life lease units, and co-operative housing.

Tenant Rights Under the Manitoba RTA (2026)

Right to Safe and Habitable Housing

Every tenant has the right to a home that is safe, clean, and well-maintained. This means your landlord must make necessary repairs, provide essential services like heat and water, and ensure the property meets basic health and safety standards. If something breaks or becomes unsafe, you can request repairs—and your landlord is responsible for fixing the issue promptly.

Protecting Tenant Privacy: Entry Rules for Landlords

Your home is your private space, and landlords must respect that. In most cases, they must give proper written notice before entering your unit, except for real emergencies. This notice allows you time to prepare and ensures visits aren’t unexpected or intrusive. Understanding these entry rules helps protect your privacy and maintain a comfortable, respectful living environment.

Security Deposits and Fees

A security deposit is money you pay upfront to cover possible damage beyond normal wear and tear. Landlords must follow strict rules when collecting, holding, and returning this deposit. At the end of your tenancy, you can expect your deposit back if the unit is clean and undamaged. Knowing how deposits and fees work helps avoid surprises and keeps the rental process smooth.

Landlord Responsibilities and Limitations

Required Disclosures

In Manitoba, landlords must share certain information with tenants to ensure transparency and a clear rental agreement. This includes the landlord’s name and address, the amount of rent, what services are included, and any rules for the property. Providing these details upfront helps prevent confusion later and ensures tenants understand their rights and responsibilities from the start of the tenancy.

Illegal Fees

Manitoba protects tenants by limiting what landlords can charge. Fees such as application fees, extra charges for having a roommate, or penalties not allowed under rental laws are considered illegal. Tenants should only be required to pay approved costs like rent and security deposits. Knowing which fees are unlawful helps renters avoid unfair charges and advocate for their rights.

Rent Discounts

Rent discounts are allowed in Manitoba, but they must be clear and consistent. A landlord may offer a reduced rate for early payment or as a long-term incentive, but the regular rent and the discounted amount must both be stated in writing. Understanding how discounts work helps tenants avoid confusion and ensures that any savings offered are honoured throughout the tenancy.

Tenancy Agreements, Renewals, and Subletting

Fixed-Term vs. Month-to-Month

In Manitoba, rental agreements can be fixed-term or month-to-month. A fixed-term lease lasts for a set period, usually one year, and ends on a specific date. A month-to-month agreement renews automatically each month and is more flexible. Understanding the difference helps you choose what fits your lifestyle—whether you want long-term stability or the freedom to move with shorter notice.

Subletting and Assignments

Subletting and assignments give tenants options when they need to move before their lease ends. Subletting means someone else lives in the unit temporarily while you remain responsible for the lease. Assigning transfers the lease entirely to a new tenant. In Manitoba, landlords can’t refuse these requests without a good reason, helping renters avoid penalties and keep their housing plans on track.

Ending a Tenancy or Eviction Rules

A landlord can end a tenancy if a tenant breaks the lease or the Residential Tenancies Act. Usually, the landlord must first give a written warning or a chance to fix the problem. For example, noisy behavior or property damage must be addressed with notice and time to correct before eviction. If the tenant doesn’t comply, the landlord can issue a notice to end the tenancy, typically for at least one rental period.

Legal Grounds for Eviction

Rule Violations

If a tenant breaks a reasonable rule in the building, the landlord can issue a notice to move—but only after giving a written warning asking the tenant to follow the rule. This ensures tenants have an opportunity to correct their behavior before serious action is taken.

False or Misleading Application Information

If a tenant provides fraudulent information on their rental application—like using a false name or references—the landlord may end the tenancy. In this case, the tenant is usually given at least one rental period’s notice to move out.

Non-Payment of Utilities

If a tenant is responsible for utilities and fails to pay, the landlord can issue a deadline to pay. If the bill isn’t paid, the landlord can give notice to end the tenancy for at least one rental period. In cases of extraordinary risk, such as frozen pipes or gas shutoff, the notice must be at least five days. Landlords can temporarily put utilities in their name to prevent damage without losing their right to give notice.

Immediate Eviction Situations

A landlord can give shorter notice without warning in extreme cases, such as causing extraordinary damage to the unit or common areas, risking the health or safety of others, or creating an extraordinary disturbance. In these cases, five days’ notice is sufficient.

Tenant Right to Early Termination

Ending a Fixed-Term Tenancy Early

Normally, tenants cannot end a fixed-term lease early unless they sublet or assign the unit.

Special circumstances may allow early termination:

• Landlord removes a service: If a service that makes the unit livable (like an elevator) is taken away, a tenant can ask the Residential Tenancies Branch to approve ending the lease.
• Rent increase above the guideline: If a landlord applies to raise rent above the allowed guideline, a tenant can give two rental payment periods’ notice to end the lease. Notice can be given from when the tenant learns of the application until 14 days after the Branch or Commission’s decision.

This gives tenants some flexibility in unusual situations without breaking the law.

Key Amendments to the RTA

Introduction of Bill 212

Bill 212 is a proposed Manitoba law aimed at protecting tenants from large rent hikes. It had its first reading in March 2025 and still needs further approval before it becomes law. If passed, it would take effect January 1, 2026.

Key Goals

The bill targets loopholes that allowed landlords to raise rent above the annual guideline for minor or cosmetic renovations that don’t improve essential services.

Proposed Changes

• Limited Above-Guideline Increases: Landlords can only request extra rent if they face real costs, like major repairs, increased taxes, utilities, or security expenses.
• Phased-In Increases: Approved increases can be spread out over several years to reduce tenant financial strain.
• Discount Protection: Landlords can’t remove or lower rent discounts for one year after requesting an above-guideline increase.
• One-Year Waiting Rule: Landlords must wait at least a year after reducing or removing a discount before applying for another above-guideline increase.

This bill is designed to make rent increases fairer and more predictable for tenants.

Common Issues and How to Resolve Them

Rent Payment Disputes

Disagreements over rent can happen if a tenant feels they’ve been charged incorrectly or if the landlord claims late or missing payments. Keep clear records of all payments and receipts. Communicate in writing and involve the Residential Tenancies Branch if needed to resolve disputes fairly. Knowing your rights can prevent unnecessary stress and ensure accountability.

Maintenance Problems

Landlords are responsible for keeping rental units safe and habitable. If repairs are needed, report them promptly in writing. Document any issues with photos and dates. If the landlord delays, tenants can contact the Residential Tenancies Branch, request inspections, or in some cases, arrange for repairs and deduct costs legally.

Illegal Fees or Charges

Tenants should only pay rent and legally allowed deposits or fees. Any extra charges, like key fees or administrative costs, may be illegal in Manitoba. Always ask for receipts and check your lease. Disputes over unauthorized charges can be resolved through written complaints or filing a claim with the Residential Tenancies Branch.

Emergency Repairs & Health Hazards

Emergencies, like flooding, gas leaks, or heating failures, require immediate action. Contact your landlord right away and document the problem. If the landlord doesn’t act quickly, tenants may contact authorities, arrange urgent repairs, or seek guidance from the Residential Tenancies Branch to ensure safety and habitability.

FAQs About the Manitoba Residential Tenancy Act

What is the rent guideline for 2026 in Manitoba?

The 2026 rent increase guideline in Manitoba is 1.8%, which is the maximum a landlord can raise rent without special approval.

What does “quiet enjoyment” mean under Manitoba’s Residential Tenancies Act?

“Quiet enjoyment” means tenants have the right to live in their rental unit without unreasonable interference from the landlord or others.

What happens if a landlord enters without notice or consent?

If a landlord enters without proper notice or consent, the tenant can file a complaint with the Residential Tenancies Branch for breach of rights.

What are the tenant rights in Manitoba?

Tenants in Manitoba have the right to safe, habitable housing, privacy, proper notice for rent increases, repairs, and protection from illegal fees or eviction.

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