Manitoba to fine landlords for breaching tenant confidentiality

The Manitoba government is amending the Residential Tenancies Act to introduce penalties for landlords who breach the confidentiality of tenants. The legislative change specifically targets the protection of individuals who break their leases by providing a domestic violence certificate.

Under existing laws, landlords are required to keep information regarding the termination of a tenancy confidential, but there are currently no legal penalties for violating this section of the act. The amendment follows reports of victims being put at risk after landlords violated their privacy. Public Service Delivery Minister Mintu Sandhu announced the move to ensure measures are in place to penalize landlords who fail to uphold these confidentiality requirements.