If your landlord refuses to make essential repairs, you should never withhold your rent directly, as this can lead to an immediate eviction notice. Instead, you must file a Request for Repairs with the Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB), which can issue a legal order forcing the repair and may authorise you to pay your rent directly to the government until the issue is fixed.
Every tenant deserves a safe, warm, and well-maintained place to live. Whether you are dealing with a broken furnace during a freezing Winnipeg winter, a severe plumbing issue in your Brandon apartment, or a faulty fridge, a landlord’s refusal to fix the problem is highly stressful. 🔧 The Manitoba Residential Tenancies Act strictly requires all landlords to keep their properties in a good state of repair, complying with local health, safety, and housing standards.
When a landlord ignores your calls or refuses to spend the money required to fix a vital appliance, many tenants mistakenly believe they can just stop paying rent. This is a dangerous mistake that can cost you your home. Fortunately, there is a clear, legal pathway to force your landlord’s hand without jeopardising your tenancy.
Step-by-Step Process for Requesting Repairs in Manitoba
The key to resolving repair disputes is clear communication and creating a solid paper trail. The Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB) will only step in if you can prove you have given the landlord a fair chance to resolve the issue first.
Step 1: Submit a Written Request
Verbal requests and quick text messages are easy for a landlord to ignore or deny later. You must write a formal letter or email to your landlord detailing the exact problem. 📝 Date the letter, keep a copy for your records, and state a reasonable deadline for when you expect the repair to be completed.
Step 2: Determine if it is an Emergency
The law distinguishes between minor inconveniences and actual emergencies. An emergency involves issues that affect your health and safety, such as a complete loss of heat in winter, a burst pipe, or no hot water. For emergencies, the landlord must act almost immediately. For non-emergencies, like a dripping faucet or a broken cabinet door, you must give them a reasonable amount of time (usually a few days to a couple of weeks).
Step 3: Contact the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB)
If the deadline passes and your landlord has still done nothing, contact the RTB. You can file a formal Request for Repairs. An RTB officer will then contact your landlord to mediate the issue. If the landlord still refuses, the officer may visit your rental unit to inspect the problem and officially issue an “Order to Repair.”
Step 4: Redirect Your Rent (If Ordered)
If the landlord ignores the government’s Order to Repair, the RTB has a powerful tool: rent redirection. However, you must be aware of a critical procedural delay: the landlord has 14 days to appeal the Order to Repair to the Residential Tenancies Commission. Under Manitoba law, filing an appeal automatically suspends (stays) the order, meaning no rent redirection or active repair works can begin until the Commission makes its final ruling. If the landlord does not appeal within 14 days, or if they lose their appeal and still refuse to act, the RTB can officially authorise you to stop paying your landlord and instead pay your monthly rent directly to the RTB. 💰 The government then holds this money in trust and uses it to hire a contractor to fix your apartment, completely bypassing the stubborn landlord.
Understanding Repair Responsibilities
It is important to know what falls under your landlord’s responsibility and what falls under yours.
| Type of Issue | Who is Responsible? | Next Steps in Manitoba |
|---|---|---|
| Broken Furnace or No Hot Water | Landlord (Emergency) | Notify landlord immediately. If no response, call the RTB for immediate emergency intervention. |
| Broken Refrigerator or Stove | Landlord (Standard) | Provide written notice. Give a few days for repair. File with RTB if ignored. |
| Burnt Out Lightbulbs | Tenant | You must replace standard lightbulbs yourself. |
| Damage Caused by Your Pet | Tenant | You must pay for the repair, or the landlord will deduct it from your deposit. |
How Much Does it Cost in Manitoba?
Seeking help for uncompleted repairs is highly accessible for tenants in Manitoba. As of April 2026, here are the general costs:
- RTB Repair Intervention: Filing a Request for Repairs with the RTB is completely free for tenants.
- Out-of-Pocket Emergency Repairs: If a pipe bursts and you cannot reach the landlord, you may have to hire a plumber yourself. To legally get your money back if the landlord refuses to pay, you must file a Tenant’s Claim for Compensation through the RTB. This process requires a mandatory $50.00 CAD filing fee, which can be recovered from the landlord if you win. Make sure the actual repair cost is reasonable (e.g., $150 to $300 CAD for an emergency callout) and keep all receipts.
- Lawyer Fees: Most repair disputes do not require a lawyer. However, if the disrepair has caused severe damage to your personal property, consulting a law firm might cost $250 to $500 CAD for advice on suing for damages.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Timelines depend entirely on the severity of the problem. For critical emergencies (like no heat in January), the RTB acts immediately, often resolving the issue within 24 to 48 hours. ⌛ For standard non-emergency repairs, the mediation and inspection process might take 2 to 4 weeks before an official Order to Repair is issued. However, if the landlord appeals the order, the 14-day stay automatically pauses any further action, meaning a final resolution can be delayed by several months while waiting for the Residential Tenancies Commission to hear the case.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I just stop paying rent until the repair is done?
Absolutely not. If you withhold rent without official authorisation from the RTB, your landlord can legally issue you a notice of eviction for non-payment of rent. Always pay your rent on time and use the RTB process.
Can my landlord evict me for complaining to the RTB?
No. Retaliatory evictions are strictly prohibited under the Manitoba Residential Tenancies Act. If your landlord tries to evict you shortly after you request a repair, the RTB will likely block the eviction.
Can I hire a contractor and deduct the cost from my rent?
You can only do this in absolute emergencies where you have tried everything to contact the landlord and failed. Even then, you must be very careful and follow RTB guidelines, keeping all receipts to prove the expense was necessary and reasonable.
What happens if the property is condemned by the city?
If the disrepair is so severe that a municipal health or safety inspector condemns the building, your lease is frustrated (terminated). You may be entitled to claim moving expenses and damages from the landlord through the RTB.
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