- In Manitoba, a property disclosure statement is generally optional, but it's widely used and can become part of the contract.
- Sellers must not hide or misrepresent known latent defects: serious problems a buyer couldn't find with a reasonable inspection.
- When in doubt, disclose, and talk to your lawyer about wording.
Disclosure is where honesty and self-protection point in the same direction. Here's the general picture for Manitoba. Your lawyer is the one to advise on your specific situation.
Patent vs latent defects
- Patent defects are visible on a reasonable inspection: a cracked window, worn carpet, an old roof you can see from the street. Buyers are expected to notice them.
- Latent defects are hidden and not discoverable with a normal inspection: a basement that floods every spring but has been freshly painted, a foundation crack behind finished drywall, a known sewer backup issue.
Sellers who know about a serious latent defect and hide it, or make a false statement about it, can face legal claims after the sale, sometimes even the reversal of the sale.
The disclosure statement
Manitoba doesn't generally require sellers to complete a property disclosure statement, but many do, and buyers often ask for one. If you complete it, answer carefully and accurately. If the statement is attached to the offer, your answers can become part of the contract.
- Answer what you know. "Don't know" is better than a guess.
- Don't overstate: "the basement has never leaked" is a strong claim. "No water in the basement since we bought in 2015" is accurate and specific.
- Update it if something changes before closing.
Things buyers commonly ask about
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Why disclosure is good for you
Clear disclosure attracts buyers who are comfortable with the home as it is, reduces renegotiation after inspections and lowers the risk of disputes after closing. A buyer who knows about a past repair and sees the receipt is often reassured, not scared off.
Which is a latent defect?
Something you're not sure how to disclose?
- Reply within 24 hours
- Everything in writing, in plain English or Polish
- Winnipeg and all of Manitoba
Questions people ask
Do I have to disclose a death in the home?
Stigma questions are complex and depend on the facts. Ask your lawyer. Honesty when asked directly is always the safer path.
What if I didn't know about a problem?
The duty relates to what you know. A buyer's inspection is their main protection for the unknown.
This article is general information for Manitoba, not legal, tax, mortgage or financial advice. Rules, rates and programs change; figures are estimates as of October 2026. Check your situation with a lawyer, lender or accountant before you act. Adela Strycharz is a REALTOR® with Real Broker Manitoba Ltd. If you already have an agreement with another brokerage, please speak with your own REALTOR® first.