Brief
Manitoba to fine landlords who breach tenant confidentiality on domestic‑violence lease terminations
The province announced changes that will let courts impose fines on landlords who reveal confidential information linked to domestic‑violence lease terminations.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Manitoba announced on Monday that it will amend the Residential Tenancies Act to permit fines for landlords who breach the confidentiality of tenants who end a lease using a domestic‑violence certificate, the Winnipeg Free Press reported.
What happened
The amendment follows a case in which a young woman disclosed that her landlord forwarded her personal email address and a domestic‑violence certificate—issued in 2025—to her alleged abuser. Under the current law, landlords must keep such information confidential, but there are no penalties for violations.
What the report adds
The article notes that the 2019 amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act already allows victims of domestic violence or stalking to terminate a lease early by obtaining a certificate from a physician, psychologist, social‑worker or shelter employee, which is then issued by Manitoba Justice’s victim‑services branch. The new change will add enforceable penalties for landlords who disclose that certificate or related details.
What was said
"Hopefully, now there’s going to be measures in place so that if this happens again, and God forbid it happens again to anyone else, that there would be penalties imposed on landlords who do that," a victim quoted by the Free Press said.
How it came about
The amendment was prompted by complaints from victims who said landlords had put them at risk by violating confidentiality provisions. The government’s response, announced on Monday, aims to strengthen protections for tenants escaping abusive relationships.
Key facts
- Manitoba will amend the Residential Tenancies Act to allow fines for landlords who breach tenant confidentiality related to domestic‑violence lease terminations. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The change follows a case where a landlord disclosed a tenant's personal email and domestic‑violence certificate to the tenant's alleged abuser. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Since 2019, tenants can end a lease early with a domestic‑violence certificate issued by a qualified professional to Manitoba Justice’s victim services branch. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Manitoba landlords to face fines for breaching confidentiality”
