Do you know about home standards in Manitoba?

These standards help keep your home nice. They also help keep your home clean. They help keep your home organized. But these rules do more than that. They keep you and your family safe.

You can use these standards when you look at rentals. Check if the landlord follows these standards. This will help ensure a good stay.

Here are five important standards:

Yards and exteriors

Your outdoor space is the first thing that shows your home. Yards that are well-kept are important. Fences that are strong are also important. Roofs that are safe are important too. These things make your home look good. They also keep you safe.

City rules say that homes must be clean. They must not have trash or mess. Trash or mess can cause fires. They can cause injuries. They can cause health problems.

A yard that is not kept well can be a problem. It might have tall grass or harmful plants. It might have junk or trash. People can report these yards to the City. They can use 311 to do this.

Owners of these yards might have to pay up to $2000. This is for having garbage on property. This is under the Unsightly Premises By-Law.

Interior security and safety

Manitoba has very cold winters. So, it’s very important to keep your home warm and safe. You need to take care of your floors, walls, ceilings, and stairs. It’s also very important to have exits and entrances that you can use easily. You need to have fire alarms and smoke alarms that work well. You need to keep bugs and small animals away. This helps to keep your place clean. It also stops health problems from happening.

Heating and water

Having good heating and water are important. You should check your heating systems and pipes often. This helps you avoid them freezing in winter. Fixing things on time and keeping things up to date should be done by homeowners and landlords. This makes the home nice all year round. It also stops you from having to pay more money later.

Offering rentals

You can rent out a spare bedroom or your basement. This is a good way to make money from space you don’t use. You can get extra money this way. It also helps others find cheap places to live. But, you need to make sure your rental space is safe and livable. You have to follow rules. For example, a house that is not attached to any other house can have up to two renters. In this situation, the house owner must take care of the whole house. You can read the Rental Property and By-law Compliance for all the rules.

Vehicles

Your vehicles’ condition is important. If you have vehicles that are not used or don’t work, they can look bad. They can also break local rules. You should keep your vehicles in good shape. You should also park them in the right places. This helps keep your neighborhood clean.

You can find more information about these rules in the City of Winnipeg Livability By-Law Quick Guide. You can also look at your area’s Livability By-Law. For example, you can look at the Community Standards Bylaw in Brandon.

If you follow these rules, your home will be a nice place to live. You will also help make your community a better place to live. These rules are not just rules. They help make a safe, healthy, and beautiful place for everyone.
 
Sources: City of Winnipeg Livability By-Law Quick Guide; Standards of Maintenance of Residential Properties: A guide for property owners, landlords, and tenants, City of Winnipeg; Neighbourhood Liveabilty By-Law No. 1/2008. Accessed August 30, 2023.