posté 16 juillet 2026, par Northtowne Properties

Signing a lease is one of the most important things you'll do as a renter — and one of the most skimmed. Most people flip to the last page and sign without reading the middle. A few minutes spent understanding what's actually in a lease can save you a lot of headaches later.

Here's a plain-language breakdown of what you'll typically find in a Manitoba residential lease, and what to pay attention to before you sign.

What Is a Lease Agreement?

A lease (or tenancy agreement) is a legally binding contract between you and your landlord. It sets out the terms of your tenancy: how much you pay, when you pay it, how long you're staying, and what the rules are. In Manitoba, residential tenancies are governed by The Residential Tenancies Act, which sets minimum rights and obligations for both tenants and landlords. Your lease cannot take away rights the Act gives you — even if it's written in the agreement.

Key Things to Look for in Your Lease

Rent Amount and Due Date

Your lease should clearly state your monthly rent and when it's due (typically the first of the month). It should also state the payment methods accepted. Confirm these match what you discussed with the landlord — don't assume verbal agreements carry over into a signed document.

What's Included in Rent

This is one of the most important sections to read carefully. Does the rent include heat? Water? Parking? Internet? What you're responsible for paying separately should be spelled out clearly. A unit that looks cheaper than a competitor may not be once you factor in utilities paid by the tenant.

Security Deposit

Manitoba law allows landlords to collect a security deposit of up to half a month's rent. Your lease should state the exact amount. The deposit is held in trust and returned at the end of your tenancy, minus any deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear. Normal wear and tear — small scuffs, minor carpet wear, faded paint — cannot be charged back to you.

Notice Periods

If you want to move out, you must give proper notice in writing. For a month-to-month tenancy in Manitoba, a tenant must give at least one full rental period's notice (typically one month). For a fixed-term lease, you generally need to give notice before the end of the term if you don't want it to renew.

Rules and Restrictions

Your lease will typically include rules about:

  • Pets — whether they're allowed, and any conditions
  • Guests — any limits on extended stays
  • Alterations — what changes (if any) you can make to the unit
  • Smoking — most modern rental buildings are smoke-free
  • Noise and conduct — general community expectations

Read these carefully. Some rules feel minor until they become the reason for a dispute. If you have a pet, pay particular attention to the pet policy — not just whether pets are permitted, but any breed or size restrictions and whether a pet deposit applies.

Northtowne Properties is pet-friendly across our communities. We welcome four-legged family members and have designed our communities with pets in mind — including on-site dog parks at select locations. If you're renting with a pet, we're happy to walk you through exactly what our pet policy covers before you sign.

Maintenance and Repairs

Your lease should outline how to submit a maintenance request and what the expected response time is. In Manitoba, landlords are legally required to maintain the rental unit in a good state of repair. You, as the tenant, are responsible for keeping the unit reasonably clean and notifying the landlord of any damage or needed repairs promptly.

One thing worth asking when you tour a unit: how does the maintenance process actually work? A responsive maintenance process makes a real difference in day-to-day rental life — especially in Manitoba winters when a furnace issue or a drafty window can't wait.

At Northtowne, residents submit maintenance requests directly through the Northtowne resident app. Requests go to our in-house maintenance team — no third-party contractors, no chasing down a response. It's a straightforward process that takes the stress out of repairs and keeps your home in the condition it should be.

What Happens After You Sign

Once you've signed, you'll typically receive a copy of the signed lease for your records — keep it somewhere safe. You'll also pay your first month's rent and security deposit before or on move-in day. Some landlords conduct a move-in inspection with you; if yours does, document the condition of the unit carefully (photos are your best friend) so there's no dispute at move-out.

Renting with Northtowne

At Northtowne Properties, our leasing process is designed to be straightforward and transparent. We walk every new resident through what's included, what to expect, and how everything from maintenance requests to pet policies works — so you're never left guessing.

Explore our available suites and townhomes at northtowne.ca/residential

Photo by Annika Wischnewsky on Unsplash