Making your home in Manitoba
There are different types of housing in Manitoba. Reading this section will help you find a nice, affordable home for yourself or your family.
- Finding a house or apartment
- Rules for renting
- How to buy a home
- Government housing assistance
- Residential property taxes
- Utilities (electricity, water, recycling, etc.)
Newcomer's Guide to Canadian Housing
This printable guide is one of several excellent, in-depth publications from Canada Mortgage and Housing that cover all aspects of renting and buying and owning - even home maintenance.
Finding a home to rent or buy
When you are looking for a place to live consider neighbourhood qualities - the location of schools, shopping, buses, safety, recreational and community services. Housing costs vary by neighbourhood, with the inner-city generally the cheapest.
The easiest way of finding a place to rent or buy is in the classified ad section of the Winnipeg Free Press (or major newspaper in your rural area), online or in one of the free real estate publications in news stands at banks and stores such as Mac's, 7-Eleven and Safeway.
- homebase.ca (rent or buy)
- Winnipeg Free Press online listings (rent or buy)
- Winnipeg Real Estate News (buy)
- rentcanada.com (rent)
- Rent Spot (rent)
- 24/7 Apartments (rent)
- 101Apartments (rent)
- Places4Rent (rent)
- Multiple Listing Service (sale by agent)
- ComFree (sale by owner)
Rules for renting
When you rent a house or apartment you will have to give a "damage deposit" (generally half a month's rent) and sign a "lease." A lease is a binding, legal agreement between you and the landlord (the building owner or manager). It says how much the rent is, how long you agree to stay, and other conditions. Most leases are for one year. If you "break" your lease by leaving before the end you may be responsible for remaining rent.
You should inspect your house or apartment before signing your lease to ensure your landlord does not later charge you for damage that was already there. It is very important that you understand the lease before you sign. If you have questions - or if your landlord does not fulfill the responsibilities specified in the lease, contact the Residential Tenancies Branch.
- Residential Tenancies Branch
This Manitoba government department informs tenants and settles disputes with landlords. Its services are free.
- Guides to Renting a Home
Canada Mortgage and Housing has in-depth publications that cover all aspects of renting.
Financial help with housing
Manitoba Family Services and Housing helps Manitobans have adequate and affordable housing. For low-income families that meet certain criteria this government department may provide low-cost housing or provide help to pay the rent, do home repairs, afford a mortgage down-payment.
Buying a home
Need help?
You can look for and buy a house or condo on your own (use the websites above) or with the assistance of a real estate agent. (A condo, or condominium, is a house or apartment that you own but share the cost of common areas with others.) Agents (realtors) are listed in the Yellow Pages under Real Estate. They show you homes. They do not charge a fee, but instead are paid a percentage of the house's sale price.
Negotiate purchase terms
Purchase price is always negotiated between the sellor and the buyer. Fridge, stove, drapes, etc. may be included in the sale price. You may want a home inspection before buying. You can negotiate the date to move in. Once you and the owner agree on a price, you or your agent writes an Offer to Purchase. It is a legal and binding contract that specifies price and other conditions of sale.
Mortgages
Most people borrow the money from a bank or credit union. Mortgage lenders have different interest rates on repayment terms. You can "shop around" for the best mortgage.
- Canada Mortgage and Housing explains home buying step by step, has a Mortgage Calculator, information specifically for newcomers and much more, including how CMHC can help you with your down payment.
Property Taxes
Homeowners must pay property taxes each year. The amount depends on the type of home, location and the size of the lot. You can choose to pay your taxes by month. Winnipeg Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) or phone 204-986-2161.
Utilities
All homes are supplied with utilities - electricity and, in most cases, natural gas (Manitoba Hydro), and water & waste (City of Winnipeg). Residents must pay for these utilities. For rentors some costs may be included in your rent.
When you move into your home phone Hydro at 204-480-5900, so they can measure the amount of electricity (and gas) you use. They will send you a monthly bill. For water & waste phone the City of Winnipeg at 204-986-5858.
Note that all but old houses are heated with gas or electricity; with Manitoba's cold winters heating cost can be substantial. (We call electricity "hydro" because it is generated at hydro-electric dams on some of Manitoba's many rivers.)
Water service and sewer systems travel through underground pipelines to homes and buildings in all Manitoba cities and many towns. Most apartment renters are not billed separately for the water they use. However if you rent or own a house, you will receive a bill for the amount of water you use plus a sewer charge. Your bill could arrive monthly or quarterly.
Houses in some rural districts have an underground water cistern for the water supply and an underground septic tank for sewage. In this case, you must contact local suppliers to have water brought to your home by truck and to have the sewage pumped out of your septic tank and taken away. You will find lists of suppliers in your local telephone directory or from the local Municipal Office.
Garbage & recycling
The city picks up your recycling and garbage without charge. See our Media and Communications page for telephone, cable TV, Internet and other services.
