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New laws for Condo conversion in Manitoba to protect tenants

With a rising number of Winnipeg apartment blocks being converted into condominiums, the provincial government says it will amend legislation geared toward protecting renters and landlords.

The province said Thursday it will amend the Residential Tenancies Act to better protect tenants of apartments slated for conversion to condos, encourage more pet-friendly leases and increase fees to deter renters from breaking their lease conditions.

The changes will take effect June 30, Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh said in a statement.

The changes include forcing landlords to give a minimum of five months of notice to tenants of buildings they plan to convert or demolish when the overall apartment vacancy rate is less than two per cent.

Currently, the apartment vacancy rate is hovering around one per cent.

As well, landlords will now have to pay up to $500 in moving expenses if the renter's lease is ended because the unit has been sold, is being renovated or the landlord otherwise needs to occupy the unit.New tenancy-agreement forms are also being drawn up that will inform renters and landlords of their respective rights.

Landlords will also now be able to ask a prospective tenant with a poor or short rental history to find a co-signer for a lease.

The province will also encourage more landlords to allow pets in rental units by allowing renters to pay a half-month refundable deposit for any damage the animal may do to the unit.

A new maximum fee of $100 for breaching a lease will also be enforced. Currently, it is $65.
Renters and landlords also face stiffer fines for breaches of the tenancies legislation. Fines of up to a maximum of $5,000 for serious breaches of the act will be enforced.