Can a landlord or tenant change the locks in Manitoba?

What does Manitoba's law say about changing locks?

The rule fits in one sentence. Section 53(2) of The Residential Tenancies Act, C.C.S.M. c. R119, says:

"A landlord or a tenant shall not, except with the other's consent, change or interfere with a lock, door or other device that has been installed to secure a rental unit, and neither the landlord nor the tenant shall withhold consent unreasonably."

Three things follow from that:

• It cuts both ways. The landlord can't change the tenant's locks, and the tenant can't change the landlord's.
• Consent is the key word. Agreement makes a lock change fine. Without it, it isn't.
• Saying no needs a reason. Neither side can refuse a sensible request just to be difficult.

What does a landlord have to do about locks?

Keep the unit reasonably secure. Section 53(1) says the landlord must "provide and maintain sufficient doors, locks and other devices to make a rental unit reasonably secure."

In practice, for a Winnipeg rental, that usually means looking at:

• entry doors that close and latch properly, including after the frame has shifted through a winter of frost heave
• a working deadbolt on each entry door to the unit
• patio and balcony doors that lock, with a bar or pin where the slider can be lifted
• broken or worn locks fixed or replaced when the tenant reports them

What counts as "reasonably secure" can depend on the building and the door. If you're not sure, the Residential Tenancies Branch can tell you how the standard is applied.

Can a tenant ask to change or add a lock?

Yes. Ask the landlord, ideally in writing, and say why: a lost key, a former roommate who still has one, a lock that's stiff or broken, or wanting a deadbolt that's harder to defeat. Because the landlord can't withhold consent unreasonably, a sensible request should get a sensible answer.

Good practice for both sides, once a change is agreed:

1. Put the agreement in writing, even a text or email.
2. Decide who arranges the work and who pays, before it's done.
3. Agree how keys will be handled after the change, so both sides know where they stand.

What about shared front doors and building entrances?

Section 53(3) applies the same idea to the residential complex as a whole. A landlord or tenant must not change or interfere with a lock or door on the complex where that unreasonably interferes with the other's right of access. In a typical Winnipeg walk-up, that covers things like the front entrance, the back door to the parking lot, and laundry or storage rooms tenants are entitled to use.

Can a landlord change the locks to remove a tenant?

That isn't the route. Changing the locks without consent breaches s. 53(2), and Manitoba has a formal process for ending a tenancy and getting possession of a unit, run through the Residential Tenancies Branch. If you're a landlord with a tenant who won't leave, or a tenant who has come home to a lock that no longer fits your key, contact the Residential Tenancies Branch before doing anything else.

If you're facing household or domestic violence or stalking, the Act also has a separate provision for ending a tenancy early (s. 92.3). Read it in the Act or ask the Branch. If you're in danger, call 911.

What happens between tenancies?

Once a tenant has moved out and the tenancy has ended, the landlord should rekey the unit before the next tenant moves in. A former tenant, their guests, a dog walker, a contractor: any of them may still hold a working key. Rekeying is how a landlord keeps the s. 53(1) promise of a reasonably secure unit to the next person.

If you manage more than a couple of units, a turnover routine saves time and arguments. Our guide change locks after tenant moves out lays out the steps, and the printable landlord turnover checklist puts them on one sheet per unit.

Are there penalties for changing locks without consent?

Yes. Section 193.1 of the Act allows the director to issue an administrative penalty for a breach of s. 53(2). The amount isn't covered here; if you're worried about a specific situation, ask the Residential Tenancies Branch.

Who decides if landlord and tenant disagree?

The Residential Tenancies Branch. It gives information on landlord and tenant rights, mediates disputes, and holds hearings to make decisions and issue orders. A locksmith can change a lock, but a locksmith can't decide who has the right to one. When we're called to a rental, we ask for ID before opening, and we stay out of disputes. Why a real locksmith asks for ID explains how that works.

For landlords and property managers who want turnover rekeys, tenant lockouts and repairs handled by one locksmith, see our page for landlords and property managers.

The short version

• Neither landlord nor tenant may change a rental unit's locks without the other's consent (s. 53(2)).
• Neither may refuse consent unreasonably.
• The landlord must keep the unit reasonably secure (s. 53(1)).
• Lock changes are not a way to remove a tenant. The Residential Tenancies Branch handles disputes.