How to find a house or apartment in Manitoba?

For many newcomers, finding a safe, affordable place to live can be an immediate challenge, especially since housing varies greatly between from community to community, and from neigbhourhood to neighbourhood within a city.

Manitoba’s house prices are among the lowest in Canada. However, finding an affordable apartment to rent can be a challenge. Winnipeg, for example, has the lowest rental vacancy rate in Canada (99 per cent of apartments are occupied). If you need advice in finding housing, contact your local immigrant settlement service; in Winnipeg, contact your neighbourhood immigrant settlement worker.

How to find a house or apartment in Manitoba

When you are looking for a place to live consider neighbourhood qualities – the location of schools, shopping, buses, safety, recreational and community services. In Winnipeg and other cities, housing costs vary by neighbourhood, with the inner-city generally the least expensive.

Renting

Find a place to rent in the classified ad section of the Winnipeg Free Press (or newspaper in your community), or in the Home Renters Guide. The guide is available for free at many stores and banks, or visit the websitehometrader.ca.

Another good website is Winnipeg Rental Network. It includes information specific to newcomers.

Before you start looking for an apartment: Read the Manitoba Rental Factsheet. It explains how to rent an apartment or house. It explains the rental process and the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords in Manitoba.

Buying

For home and condomium sales try the sites (also available in print for free at many stores and banks): Real Estate News and ComFree.

Where to get help

New Journey Housing is a free service. This organization trains and assists immigrants in finding decent, affordable apartments and houses.

If you live outside Winnipeg and need help with housing questions, contact your local immigrant settlement service.

Learn more about housing

Newcomers Guide to Housing

The government agency Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) created this guide for immigrants. It explains how to rent an apartment, buy a house and look after your home. The information is in English, French and six other languages. The guide includes videos, checklists and other resources for immigrants.

Living in your home

Property taxes

Homeowners must pay property taxes each year to your local (municipal) government. The amount depends on the type of home, location and the size of the lot. In Winnipeg you can choose to pay your taxes by month. For information visit Winnipeg Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) or phone 986-2161.

Rentors do not pay property taxes.

Utilities

Home owners and rentors must pay for utilities. Homes have meters that measure the amount of a utility you use. The utility company sends you a bill in the mail. For renters, some costs may be included in your rent.

All homes are connected to the electricity network. In Manitoba this service is called “hydro” because the electricity is generated at hydro-electric stations. In Winnipeg most homes are connected to the natural gas network. Furnaces that heat homes are fuelled by either electricity, gas or oil. Manitoba Hydro supplies gas and electricity.

The supply of water into your home, and the sewer service is the responsibility of your municipality. In Winnipeg, it is the water and waste department. Most apartment renters are not billed separately for the water they use.

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 can find suppliers in the phone book or from your municipal office.

Garbage and recycling

Apartment building garbage disposal is a service provided by building management. For homeowners, recycling and garbage is picked up from your home as a free public service. (Winnipeg recycling and garbage information)

Home safety

For information on how to keep you and your family safe from fire or crime visit Winnipeg Police and theOffice of the Fire Commissioner.

Emergencies: If you need fire, police or ambulance services at your home phone 911. An emergency operator will help you and contact the necessary emergency service. Fire and police are free services. (Some rural communities may not have 911 phone service; contact your municipal office for information on what number to call in an emergency.)