WINNIPEG LIVING · BY ALIA LIVING
Can a Winnipeg Landlord Charge an Application or Key Fee?
Know which rental charges deserve a second look before you pay.
A rental application can arrive with several requests for money. Before paying, separate the monthly rent, any lawful deposit, and any extra fee. A charge does not become permitted just because it appears on an application form.
What Manitoba’s rules say
The Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB) says a landlord cannot charge an application-processing fee, an initial key charge, a utility-hookup fee, or a garage-door remote fee. Replacement charges for lost keys, or requested additional security keys, are different. Certain other payments can be permitted, including a fee of up to $75 for assignment or sublet paperwork when the landlord agrees on the required form.
Ask for a written breakdown
Before sending money, ask: What is this payment for? Is it rent, a deposit, or a separate fee? When is it due? Will I receive a receipt? Keep the reply with the listing and application. If a payment combines several items, request separate amounts so you can compare the explanation with the RTB guidance.
A practical example
Suppose a listing asks for a “processing and keys package.” Do not assume that wording answers whether the charge is allowed. Ask the landlord to identify each component. If the explanation remains unclear, contact the RTB before paying. This is separate from checking whether the person offering the home is actually authorized to rent it.
For an existing dispute, keep proof of the payment and the original request. The RTB can explain how the rules apply to your circumstances.
Source: Manitoba RTB: Payments not allowed. Reviewed October 1, 2026. General information; ask the relevant authority about your circumstances.