WINNIPEG LIVING · BY ALIA LIVING
Normal Wear or Damage? A Manitoba Move-Out Guide
Document condition and avoid last-minute repairs that can make a claim worse.
Move-out disagreements often turn on the difference between ordinary wear and damage, and on the evidence showing what changed during the tenancy. A careful condition record is more useful than a rushed attempt to make every surface look new.
What the RTB considers
RTB guidance says a landlord claiming compensation must establish a loss, tenant responsibility, and the amount. Ordinary wear differs from compensable damage. Age, condition, and remaining useful life can matter when calculating a damaged item’s value; a claim is not automatically the price of a brand-new upgrade. The guidance also says a reasonable number of picture-hook holes is generally ordinary use, and tenants should generally not fill nail holes: poor patching can create additional repair costs.
Before attempting repairs
Compare the current condition with your move-in report and photos. Ask the landlord in writing about any specific repair you are considering. Do not experiment with paint matching, abrasive cleaners, or wall filler on the final evening. Keep any agreed repair plan and receipts.
Build a useful photo record
Take one overall image of each room, followed by closer images of areas likely to be discussed. Include floors, walls, appliances, counters, bathroom fixtures, and inside cupboards. Keep original files and label the folder with the date and address. Add brief factual notes where a photograph alone is unclear.
If a claim arrives
Ask for the itemized explanation and compare it with your records. Identify precisely which facts or amounts you dispute. The RTB can explain the applicable process and deadlines. This article focuses on condition evidence; deposit-return timing and tenancy-ending requirements are separate questions.
Source: Manitoba RTB: Guidelines for compensation claims. Reviewed October 1, 2026. General information; ask the relevant authority about your circumstances.