Winnipeg renters contest a 78% rent hike tied to cosmetic upgrades

Tenants at the West Broadway complex in Winnipeg are organizing to challenge a proposed 78% rent increase after the landlord completed mainly aesthetic renovations.

Residents of Winnipeg’s West Broadway apartment block are mobilizing against a landlord’s request to raise rents by 78% after the property underwent mainly cosmetic upgrades, including new flooring, lighting and a security system in shared spaces. Manitoba’s rent-control rules limit most increases to 1.8%, but owners can apply for higher adjustments if they demonstrate increased expenses, a decision that will be made by the residential tenancies branch.

Tenants such as Allana Swayze have posted notices, met with a tenant advocate and gathered support from neighbours like 80-year-old Ely Bronstein, who points out ongoing issues like leaking radiators and peeling paint that the upgrades ignored. Wingspan Properties, which took over the building last year, argues the rent hike reflects substantial improvements aimed at safety and long-term sustainability. No hearing date has been set, and the NDP government has not yet filed the required application, while proposed provincial reforms to expand rent-control protections remain pending. Tenant groups warn the increase could force long-term renters out in favor of higher-paying occupants.