What can a landlord ask for on a rental application in Manitoba?
In Manitoba, rental application screening is allowed but tightly regulated by tenancy law and human rights protections that limit what landlords can request.This guide covers Manitoba tenancy law only. For other provinces, see our [rental laws guides].
In Manitoba, what a landlord can ask for on a rental application is governed by the Residential Tenancies Act and the Manitoba Human Rights Code. Landlords can collect information to assess whether an applicant can pay rent and maintain the unit, but privacy and anti-discrimination rules limit what they can request. Disputes are handled by the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB).
What Can a Landlord Ask For?
Manitoba landlords can ask for full name and contact information, current and previous addresses and rental history, proof of income or employment, landlord and personal references, and consent to run a credit check, according to tenantrights.ca. They may ask for photo ID to verify identity and ask about the number of people who will live in the unit.
What Cannot a Landlord Ask For?
Landlords cannot require a Social Insurance Number (SIN). They also cannot ask questions that touch on protected grounds under the Manitoba Human Rights Code, including national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, family or marital status, or disability, according to tenantrights.ca. Full banking details are not a permissible request, though proof of income is acceptable.
Can a Landlord Charge an Application Fee?
No. Application fees are not permitted under Manitoba's Residential Tenancies Act. A landlord cannot charge a fee for reviewing or processing a rental application.
Can a Landlord Refuse an Application?
Yes, based on legitimate criteria such as insufficient income, poor credit, or negative references. However, refusals based on protected grounds under the Manitoba Human Rights Code are prohibited. Complaints can be filed with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.
What Can Tenants Do If Asked Improper Questions?
Tenants can decline to answer questions that touch on protected grounds and can report the incident to the RTB or the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. Contact the RTB at 204-945-2476 in Winnipeg, or toll-free at 1-800-782-8403 elsewhere in Manitoba.
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