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You are reading the Original Version (CLB5+) Read Simple Version (CLB3-4) Having landlord troubles? Are they unreachable, MIA (missing in action), or present but does nothing? On the flip side, you may have a landlord who enforces unreasonably strict rules and has a say on every little thing that happens in your home. If it is making your life hard, it’s time to take matters into your own hands. Here’s how to deal with a difficult landlord: Check the terms and conditions of your lease. Is your concern covered by the agreement? If there are terms that are not clear to you, ask for assistance. Call, write or visit the Residential Tenancy Branch and speak to an officer. Know what you can do legally. This will depend on the nature of your complaint. Check the Residential Tenancy Branch website to know more about your rights and responsibilities. You can also read the Fact Sheet for Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities a resource made by New Journey Housing. You can also attend their workshops to know more about housing in Manitoba. You will have greater success in resolving a complaint when you have proof. To ensure that you have proper documentation: State your requests or complaints clearly but be calm, kind and reasonable in all communications. It is not in your best interest to antagonize your landlord. It will better to work with them, not against them. Don’t be the kind of tenant who complains about everything. Your landlord cannot attend to every little thing, especially if there are other tenants. If there is something that you can do to solve a situation (and it does not break any of the contract terms), do it yourself. Value your time and save yourself the stress if it’s only a minor issue. Follow all the terms of your lease so that your landlord will have nothing to say against you. This means paying your rent on time, keeping your place clean, and not disturbing your neighbours, among others. If you live in an apartment building, ask other tenants if they are having the same problem. Check if there is a tenant’s association. If it’s a building-wide problem, filing the complaint as a group or through an association could have better results. If you’ve written letters, spoken to your landlord, and made ultimatums to no avail, maybe it’s time to get extra help. Contact New Journey Housing. They can provide advice and help you reach an agreement with your landlord. If this doesn’t work, file an appeal with the Residential Tenancies Branch. The RTB can mediate between you and your landlord in a dispute. When an agreement is made via this mediation, it is binding, final and enforceable. Goodluck! Back to top Attend New Journey Housing Workshops to become a well-informed renter. You’ll also learn about home maintenance, budgeting, purchasing a house and many others. Winnipeg Rental Network has resource guides and links to other resources related to affordable housing and related topics. You can download their Tenant & Landlord Resource Guide pamphlet which is a handy directory for information and help for all your rental housing concerns. Back to top Please login to tell us what you think. Having a car accident can be very distressing. Knowing exactly what to if this happens is of utmost importance. Attend… Read more » Thinking about your knowledge and skills is anindependent learning strategy. When you think about what you can do and what… Read more » This is our last week ofWorkplace Communications.This time you are in the driver’s seat. We look forward to your presentation… Read more » We have now reached week 3 of Workplace Communications! Thisweek, we are engaging in a number of activities that allow… Read more » Back to topSkip to:
Review your lease agreement
Know your rights
Have proper documentation
A note for the next time you move into a new rental home: Take photos of the place before moving in. This will come in handy when you claim your security deposit at the end of the lease. They should not charge you for damage or defects that you did not cause. Take pictures of broken light fixtures, old shelves, carpet or wall stains, etc. Also, get before and after shots if you intend to do improvements like a paint job or carpet cleaning. Don’t forget to ask permission first before doing any major repairs.Stay respectful
Pick your battles
Never miss payments and be a good tenant
Talk to the other tenants
Get help
Article updated May 13, 2022.
Sources: 7 tips for dealing with a difficult landlord, Apartments.com; How to deal with a bad landlord, Earth and Money; Residential Tenancies Branch website; and Winnipeg Rental Network. Retrieved March 1, 2019.Community Resources
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