Current Tenants
Find resources for independent living and how-to guides for common questions.
Information for tenants
Rent Payment Options
At five stones, we accept rent payments by cash, cheque, automatic withdrawals or e-transfers:
- Cheques made out to five stones inc.
- E-transfers – give our office a call or send us an email at home@fivestonesinc.ca to find out where to send your e-transfer to
- Automatic Withdrawals – come to our office to set up a P.A.D agreement. Please bring a void cheque or a letter from your bank/financial institution
Setting Up Your Utilities
Register for a Manitoba Hydro Account (hydro electricity/gas bill):
- Online: New customers (hydro.mb.ca)
- By phone: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Phone: 204-480-5900;
- Toll-free: 1-888-624-9376;
- TTY: 204-360-6154;
- TTY toll-free: 1-855-287-6809
How to pay your City of Winnipeg Water & Waste bill:
- Online: Register for MyUtility – MyUtility – Water and Waste Department – City of Winnipeg / MesServices – Service des eaux et des déchets – Ville de Winnipeg
- By phone: (204) 986-BILL(2455)
What’s an EIA Rent Form for?
EIA Rent Forms are used by EIA for two main reasons:
- Change of Address or New Address – When your application is approved and a lease has been signed, you become a new tenant and will then need to submit an EIA Rental Form to your EIA office. This form has a section for your landlord or property manager to fill out and a section for you. As the tenant, you are responsible to make sure this form is filled out in a timely manner and submitted to your EIA office.
- Change of Amount – When your rent amount changes your EIA office needs to know how much so that your rent is paid up in full. Again, you are responsible to let your EIA office know the new amount in order for your rent to be paid in full.
Rent Supplement Explained
Rent Supplement is a subsidy project by the government to increase the supply of affordable rental units and new housing available in Manitoba (read more about that here). Many of the properties we manage are a part of this program. That means, if you are eligible, you could benefit from applying for a rent supplement!
A qualified tenant must:
- File income taxes annually
- Have a total household income less than a certain amount (this amount is set every year)
- Your age (you must be 18 or older)
- Your residency in Canada – you must be a permanent legal resident of Canada
- Have a valid Manitoba Health Registration Card with you name on it.
Please contact the office for more information about rent supplement or visit the Manitoba Government Rent Supplement webpage. Province of Manitoba | Families | Manitoba Housing (gov.mb.ca)
How to Keep Your Damage Deposit
Damage deposits (sometimes called security deposits) pay for any damage a tenant might cause (intentionally or unintentionally) to a rental beyond regular wear and tear.
Damage beyond wear and tear can include (but isn’t limited to):
- Carpet stains
- Large holes in walls, windows, and doors
- Missing screens, light switch covers, light fixtures/bulbs, vent covers, etc.
- Dirty fridges, stoves, etc.
To ensure you receive your full damage deposit back, you have to give at least one month’s notice. We also encourage you to look through our move out checklist. See below for the checklist that fits your tenancy:
- Tenant Move-Out Checklist (Apartment)
- Tenant Move-Out Checklist (House)
- Tenant Move-Out Checklist (Rooming House)
- Five stones damage deposits are a maximum amount of ½ of monthly rent payable. We hold that deposit (it will collect interest) for the duration of your tenancy.
Rent Assist – What is it and Who is it for?
Rent Assist is a financial benefit to help cover the cost of housing in Manitoba. The program is offered by the provincial government and is geared towards two groups:
- People already receiving EIA benefit from the Rent Assist program. The eligible amount one can receive is dependent on a few things such as:
- rental costs
- mortgage payments, taxes and other fees for those who own their own home
- the number of people in the family
- if the family lives in Manitoba Housing, has other subsidized housing benefits or is paying rent in unsubsidized housing
- whether utility costs (ex: heat, electricity, water) are included in the rent
- People residing in low-income, unsubsidized rentals. The amount paid from Rent Assist will depend on the number of people in the household and the total household income.
You can find more details on the Government of Manitoba’s website or call our office.
Paying Rent on Time/Late Fees Explained
Prioritizing and paying rent on time is crucial for maintaining your tenancy. Rent is due in full on the 1st day of every month. This includes rent coming from EIA, the Rent Assist Program and the Rent Supplement Program. You are responsible for making sure that all paperwork is completed and submitted to ensure your rent is paid. Failure to do so is a breach of your lease and could result in eviction.
When rent is late, a late fee of $10 is applied to your account and increases $2/day to a maximum of $100 until the rent is paid in full. Once the rent is caught up, your late fees can be paid.
RESOURCES FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB)
Winnipeg
Phone: 204-945-2476
Email: RTB@GOV.MB.CA
Website: Residential Tenancies Branch | Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)
The Residential Tenancies Branch is an excellent resource and advocate for tenants. The RTB are available to both tenants and landlords for any questions or concerns that might come up during the tenancy.
Large Waste Items – How to arrange to have large waste removed
For an additional fee, you can request a pickup for extra garbage and/or large items (also known as bulky waste). This includes things that do not fit into your cart like large appliances and furniture, as well as the safe disposal of appliances with ozone-depleting substances like refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners. Check out Extra garbage & large item pickup – MyUtility – Water and Waste Department – City of Winnipeg / MesServices – Service des eaux et des déchets – Ville de Winnipeg for more information
Food Bank
New to Harvest? Call 204-982-3671 or register online. Need Food? – Harvest Manitoba
211
Need Help? Connect to Community resources anywhere in Manitoba. It’s free and confidential with someone available to answer calls 24/7. Just dial 211.
311
311 is a valuable resource providing citizens with easy access to government services, information, and assistance in the City of Winnipeg. Services include Bus routes, schedules and fees, parking information, animal inquiries, recycling & garbage pickup, and much much more. 311 City services | City of Winnipeg
City of Winnipeg Subsidies
The City of Winnipeg has numerous programs and services that help improve the lives of all residents, including several programs specifically for those living on low income. Some City programs may have eligibility requirements to qualify. For more information, visit their website Supporting Winnipeggers – City of Winnipeg
Winnipeg Public Library
Libraries are a vital part of our communities providing a variety of services to the neighbourhoods. Below is a list of libraries in the neighbourhoods where our properties are located. Visit their website Home Page – Winnipeg Public Library – City of Winnipeg for a full list of services, hours of operation and more.
Millenium Library – 251 Donald St.
Cornish Library – 20 West Gate
Harvey Smith (Cindy Klassen Rec Centre) – 999 Sargent