Landlords in Manitoba who want to evict tenants who are engaging in illegal activity or putting the lives of others at risk, have been given a new resource.
The provincial government has produced a factsheet setting out the steps required to help landlords understand the process.
“We know that landlords have for too long struggled to gather and present the evidence they need to evict drug dealers and other criminal elements from their rental properties,” said justice minister Cliff Cullen. “The Manitoba government is committed to making our communities safer, and this new resource gives landlords the clarity and guidance they need to navigate the system quickly so they can protect their property and the safety of other tenants.”
Landlords wanting to evict these tenants need to request a hearing through the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB) and can be arranged on short notice.
The factsheet also clarifies the evidence required to support an order of possession application, such as:
• video, photographs or audio evidence of the incident(s) in question;
• incident reports, warning letters or written confirmation from law enforcement agencies that unlawful activity is taking place in the rental unit (incident numbers are not sufficient);
• any incident reports from security staff, property managers, maintenance, paramedics, fire department, health and bylaw inspectors, alarm companies or police that proves the behaviour may be escalating;
• verbal or written statements from anyone who has direct knowledge of the tenant’s conduct; and
• financial statements or receipts for repairs.
More details are on the Manitoba Government website.
Steve Randall has more than three decades of media experience encompassing online, newspapers, magazines, radio, and podcasts. He focuses on insights and news for professionals in finance, real estate, and legal services. Steve writes for multiple Key Media titles in Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand.