There are many different types of housing in Manitoba. This section outlines your options. It also explains utilities such as gas, electricity, hydro and telephone. There is also information about different programs that may assist renters who have a low income.

Renting a Room

Renting a room or suite in a house is one of the least expensive forms of accommodation. You may have to share a bathroom or kitchen with someone else. Private homes, rooming houses or boarding houses, may have rooms where meals are included in your rental fee. Look in the Rooms for Rent or Shared Accommodations section of the Classified ads in the newspaper.

Return to Top

Renting a House or Apartment

If you want to rent an apartment or house in Winnipeg, look in the Classified section of the newspaper or get a copy of the Home Renter's Guide. The Renter's Guide is published monthly. It is free at many stores and banks. It lists apartments, houses and condominiums for rent. It also lists some properties outside Winnipeg. Their web site is www.homebase.ca.

You may have to sign a lease at your new home or apartment. The lease outlines the responsibilities of the renter and landlord. It is very important that you fully understand the lease before signing it. If you have questions about your lease, or the landlord does not fulfill his/ her responsibilities, contact the nearest Residential Tenancies Branch or visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/finance/cca/rtb .

Return to Top

Manitoba Shelter Benefit (MSB) for Families

Financial assistance, of up to $200 per month, is available to eligible families who rent their living accommodation in the private market and who are required to spend a large portion of their income on rent.  The benefit is based on household income and rent paid.

Eligibility:

More than 25% of household income must be spent on rent and the applicant must:
 

• have one or more dependents under 18 and get the Canada Child Tax Benefit; and
• be a renter in Manitoba; and
• be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or refugee claimant; and
• be in a two person family (one parent/guardian with one child) with an annual household income of $19,380 or less; or be in a three person family (one parent/guardian with two children or two parents/guardians with one child) with an annual household income of $20,940 or less; or be in a four or more person family (one parent/guardian with three or more children or two parents/guardians with two or more children) with an annual household income of $21,780 or less.

You cannot get the MSB for Families if:

• your rent from The Manitoba Housing Authority, or
• get another type of housing benefit, or
• get Employment and Income Assistance

For more information, contact:

Provincial Services
Manitoba Family Services and Housing
102 - 114 Garry Street
Winnipeg MB R3C 1G1
Phone: (204) 945-2197
Toll Free: 1-877-587-6224
TTY: (204) 948-3698
Fax: (204) 945-3930
Email: proservic@gov.mb.ca

Return to Top

Buying a House or Condominium

Visit different parts of the city when you shop for a house or condominium (condo). Then you will learn what location is best for you. Look for schools, shopping, buses and safety in the area.

The Real Estate News (www.wreb.ca), Private Sales (www.comfree.ca) and Winnipeg's Condo Guide (www.condoguide.com) magazines are available free of charge at most grocery stores and banks. These magazines have pictures of houses and condos for sale in the Winnipeg and surrounding area. They describe homes, with details and prices. If you want help finding a home, contact a real estate agent. They are listed in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book, under Real Estate. A real estate agent will give you information and show you homes. The agent will not directly charge a fee for this service. He/she will take a percentage of the sale price of the house as payment when you purchase the home.

When you choose the house or condo you want, consider the sale price being offered. If you think the price is too high, you can offer a lower price. Decide whether you want any of the appliances or drapes included in the price. Once you and the owner agree on a price, the real estate agent will write an Offer to Purchase. The Offer to Purchase is a legal and binding contract. It shows details, such as the selling price, whether any appliances or drapes are included in the price of the home, whether you wish to hire a Home Inspector (see Home Inspections Services in the Yellow Pages of your phone book) to inspect the house before you purchase, and the date you will move in. Real estate agent fees are added to the price of your new home.

Most people take out a mortgage to buy their home. They borrow the money from a bank or credit union. Different financial institutions charge different interest rates on the repayment of the borrowed money. If you are not satisfied with the interest rates at your bank or credit union, talk to other banks or credit unions.

Return to Top

Property Taxes

Property owners must pay property taxes each year on their house or condo.  The amount of taxes they pay depends on the type of home, its location, and the size of the lot.   Some people pay their property taxes once a year. Others pay monthly along with their mortgage. Others choose the Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP), through the City of Winnipeg. For more information about the TIPP Program, call (204) 986-2161, or visit the web site at: http://www.winnipeg.ca/finance/tipp_application.stm

Return to Top

Utilities

Whether you rent or buy your new home, you will have to pay for utilities such as gas, electricity, water, telephone and cable television. If you rent an apartment, the cost of some of these utilities may be included if your rent. However, they are not usually included if you rent a house.

Return to Top

Gas

Some homes use natural gas for heat or for appliances such as the clothes dryer, stove and water heater. In a rented home or apartment, the cost of the gas you use may be included in your monthly rent or you might be billed separately by the gas company.

The cost of natural gas is the same, whether you use Manitoba Hydro or another gas company. Some companies give their customers a rebate (money back) if the price of natural gas drops.

If you purchase a home that has a furnace, call Manitoba Hydro – Natural Gas Division at 480-5900 or one of the other gas companies (listed in the Yellow Pages, under Gas Companies). They will tell you to read your gas meter on the day you move in so they can estimate your gas usage. The bill for the gas you use will be sent to you each month.

Manitoba Hydro, Natural Gas Division
444 St. Mary Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3C 3T1
Phone: (204) 480-5900
Web Site: www.hydro.mb.ca

Return to Top

Hydro

Hydro or electricity is available to all properties. It is used for lights, appliances, and in some homes, heating.

If you rent an apartment, the cost of your hydro may be included in your rent, or you might be billed separately by the hydro company. If you buy a house or condominium, the electricity charges will be billed directly to you. You can ensure that you have electricity at your new residence by calling the Hydro office for your area. You may be required to pay a deposit. For further information contact:

Return to Top

Water

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. For further information contact:

Water and Waste Department
City of Winnipeg
510 Main Street
Winnipeg MB R3B 3M1
Phone: (204) 986-5858
Web Site: http://Winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste

Return to Top

Telephone

Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS) provides most of the telephone service in Manitoba. You may apply for service at any MTS Phone Centre in the city. (A Phone Centre is a store operated by the telephone company.) Other companies also offer special long distance rates. Their prices may vary. Look in the Yellow Pages of your phone book, under Telephone Services.

You will have to show identification when you apply for telephone service. A driver's license, Social Insurance Number or Manitoba Health Registration Certificate are acceptable pieces of identification. You may have to pay a deposit until you have a credit rating with the phone company. The phone company keeps the deposit for a short time. Then, if you pay all your phone bills on time, they will return the deposit to you by reducing your monthly bill by the amount of the deposit.

Your monthly bill will include a charge for using the telephone "land" line, the telephone rental, any long distance calls you make, and any other extra features you choose, "call display", "call waiting", or a cellular phone. You can buy or rent a telephone from MTS or you can buy a telephone from a retail store.

The Manitoba Telecom Services offers many different services to its customers. These services are listed at the front of the telephone directory. Visit their web site at www.mts.mb.ca. For information about other phone companies, look in the Yellow Pages, under Telephone Companies.

Return to Top

Cable Television

Cable television allows you to receive more television stations on your TV. This service is not free. Cable television channels are available at a fee. Cable television is available in most cities and some towns, but is not yet available in many rural communities.

If you choose to use cable television service, contact one of the following cable companies to arrange for cable installation in your home. You must pay a fee for the installation. You will receive a monthly bill for the service. Different program options have different prices. If you are renting an apartment, the cost of cable service might be included in your rent. For further information contact:

Return to Top

Recycling

Every house or apartment in Winnipeg has recycling service. If you live in a house, recycling service comes to your curbside. At apartments, recycling boxes can be found outside.

Call the City of Winnipeg Recycling Program at (204) 784-9000 for more information. You can also look in the back pages of the Telephone Book, or visit their web site at http://www.winnipeg.ca .

Return to Top

• Manitoba Family Services and Housing – Web Site: www.gov.mb.ca/fs
• Winnipeg Free Press Classified Section – Web Site: www.wfpclassifieds.com
• Manitoba Seniors Directorate - Protect Yourself – A Guide to Protecting Seniors from Theft and Financial Loss – Web Site: http://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/protectyourself/index.html

Return to Top