"What dates should I be aware of?”

The Application Acceptance Date for Manitobans, or the date on which Conservation will begin to accept applications, begins at 8:30 a.m., Monday, October 26, 2009.  Applications and fees are to be delivered in person for the first two weeks of the program, to the:

Cashier, Manitoba Conservation
Box 42, 200 Saulteaux Crescent
Winnipeg, MB R3J 3W3

After the initial two weeks, or effective November 9, 2009, mail-in applications will be accepted.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. is the Application Acceptance Date for Non-residents, or the time and date on which Conservation will begin to accept applications from Non-residents.

NOTE:  Applications will not be accepted at any other government offices.

“On what grounds will an application be rejected?”

Applications will be rejected and will not be accepted for the First Come First Served Cottage Lot Program if:

• They are on a form other than the official Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Application Form
• They are illegible or any areas of the application are not fully completed
• Any part of the Application Declaration section is not completed or signed
• They do not meet published eligibility guidelines
• They are not accompanied by the required application fee
• They are not the original signed application form (facsimile and photocopies are not permitted)
• They are delivered or mailed to any office other than Manitoba Conservation’s head office location at Box 42, 200 Saulteaux Crescent, R3J 3W3, Winnipeg, Manitoba
• The application fee cheque is returned by your bank (e.g. non-sufficient funds (NSF)
• Upon request of Manitoba the applicant failed to provide supporting documentation in relation to eligibility requirements; or
• It has been determined that more than one application has been submitted by the same person during the first thirty days of the program
  
  

What are my payment options for the $100.00 (plus GST) application fee?”

Payment options for First Come First Served cottage lot application fee include cash, debit card, credit card (Visa and MasterCard), personal cheque, certified cheque, bank draft or money order.  Cheques, bank drafts and money orders are to be made payable to the Minister of Finance, Manitoba.  Credit cards, cash, and debit cards are accepted only in person at 200 Saulteaux Crescent.  Credit card transactions are not permitted by phone, mail, facsimile, or over the internet.

“How many lots can I purchase/lease through the First Come First Served Cottage Lot Program?”

In order to give every Manitoban a fair opportunity to apply for a cottage lot, an applicant may apply to purchase/lease one lot only for the first thirty days of the program.  Following the initial thirty days of the program, or effective 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2009 there will be no limit on the number of lots an eligible applicant can apply to purchase/lease, subject to availability.

“If I am not a resident of Manitoba, can I purchase/lease a lot through the First Come First Served Cottage Lot Program?”

If you are not a resident of Manitoba, you must wait 120 days from the Application Acceptance Date, for residents, or until 8:30 a.m., on Tuesday February 23, 2010, at which time the First Come First Served Cottage Lot Program will be open to all non-residents of Manitoba, including non-residents of Canada. This date is referred to as the Application Acceptance Date for non-residents.

 “Is a corporation able to purchase/lease a lot through the First Come First Served Cottage Lot Program?”

A corporation can apply to purchase/lease a lot through the First Come First Served, as long as they are a valid corporation authorized to carry on business in Manitoba.

“I am unable to make the trip to Winnipeg to apply in person.  Am I able to mail an application?”

Applications are only accepted in person at 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba for the first two weeks of the program.   An authorized representative may select a lot on your behalf as long as the Application Form, Authorization Form, application fee and proper identification are provided.  After the initial two weeks, mail-in applications will be accepted at Box 42, 200 Saulteaux Crescent, R3J 3W3, Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

“What information am I required to provide when purchasing/leasing a lot?

For the first two weeks after the application acceptance date for residents, the applicant (or authorized representative) must be present to select a lot.  The applicant (or authorized representative) must present proof of identity and eligibility (valid photo or other identification that identifies your date of birth, Manitoba address, and signature). If a representative will be attending on your behalf, see next question.  If mailing in your application after the initial two week period you must include a photocopy of proof of identity and eligibility (valid photo or other identification that identifies your date of birth, Manitoba address, and signature).

“Am I able to purchase/lease a lot on someone’s behalf?

Yes, you may act as a representative to select a lot on someone’s behalf however you must:

• provide valid identification
• present written authorization from the applicant authorizing the representative to select a lot on behalf of the applicant (please use the attached authorization form for delegation of authority)
• provide a photocopy of the applicant’s valid identification (that identifies their date of birth, Manitoba address and signature)
  
  

“How do I know which lots are available in which subdivisions through the First Come First Served program?”

All of the lots within each subdivision that are available for sale or lease will be listed on Manitoba Conservation’s website at /www.manitoba/conservation/fcfs_cottaging/index.html. The information is also available at Manitoba Conservation offices throughout the province.

“How often will the website be updated with a listing of available lots?
 
The website will be updated at the end of the business day to provide a current listing of available lots each morning.

“Can the Crown Lands Conditional Sale Agreement be assigned to more than one individual?”

The Crown Lands Conditional Sale Agreement may not be assigned except:

• where an assignment is necessary to arrange financing;
• where a purchaser wants to add a person for estate planning purposes, and the person to be added meets the eligibility criteria of the First Come First Served Rules, or
• in the case of death of the purchaser, the purchaser’s estate may continue.
  
  

 “Will there always be an initial two week period where applications are only accepted in person and there is a limit on the number of lots one person is able to apply to purchase/lease?” The stated rules apply to this initial launch of the First Come First Served Cottage Lot Program.  The rules and process will be reviewed prior to releasing any new lots on a first come, first served basis in the future.

“How do I withdraw from the process, and will I be refunded my $100.00 (plus GST) application fee?”

To withdraw from the process, a written request by the applicant must be received within 30 days of the application date.  If you select a lot, and do not follow through with the purchase/lease, you will forfeit your $100.00 (plus GST) application fee.

“If I have chosen a lot in a previous cottage lot draw and select an adjacent lot through the First Come First Served, can I treat the two lots as one and develop a vacation home?”

No, as they are individual lots you will be responsible for two separate lease or sale agreements and will not be allowed to combine them into one lot. You will also be required to construct a vacation home on each lot within the respective two-year period.

“What happens to cottage lots that have been sold through the First Come First Served process but later become available?”

They will be returned to the First Come First Served inventory and will immediately become available for purchase or lease.

“If I was successful in previous cottage lot draws can I apply to purchase/lease a cottage lot through the First Come First Served Cottage Lot Program?”

Yes, applicants who entered previous Cottage Lot Draws are eligible to apply under the First Come First Served Cottage Lot Program, whether or not they were successful in previous Draws, provided they still meet the eligibility criteria.

“If I am an employee of the Government of Manitoba, immediate family member of a Government of Manitoba employee or an Office under The Crowns Lands Act, can I apply for a cottage lot through the First Come First Served?

Yes you can apply for a cottage lot if you are an employee, immediate family member of a Government of Manitoba employee or Officer mentioned above and: you have completed the Applicant Declaration section located on the application form or have indicated that you are an employee or an immediate family member of an employee (definitions provided on the application form).

“What costs will I incur if I select a cottage lot in a Provincial Park?”

The successful applicant will be required to sign a cottage lot lease application form and pay the balance of the one-time lot development fee within 30 days of the date of notice from Manitoba Conservation.  The annual land rental and service fee for the first year is pro-rated from the date the application is approved to March 31st and are prescribed by the Park Fees Regulation (M.R. 148/96) under The Provincial Parks Act. Subject to the sole discretion of the Manitoba government, all terms and conditions of the Lease Agreement are non-negotiable. Failure to pay the development fee and any other required occupation, service or administrative fee by the payment date indicated in the notice from Manitoba may result in cancellation of all rights and privileges to the lot and the payment for the lot will be forfeited.

“What cost will I incur if I select a cottage lot on Crown Land?

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions – Constructing a Cottage on Crown Land (Not within a Provincial Park) for further details.

“If I have entered into a Conditional Sale Agreement (Crown Lands) for a lot, may I withdraw any time and receive a refund of the purchase price?”

No, you may not. When you enter into the Conditional Sales Agreement, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions therein. Some of those conditions being:

• You will construct a cottage to lock up stage within 24 months of receipt of notice from Manitoba;
• The cottage will conform to minimum standards specified;
• You agree to purchase the land for a specified sum including Administration fees.

Further, in accordance with the Sale Agreement, there is no provision for you to withdraw and receive a refund of the purchase price. The Sale Agreement states that the province may terminate the Agreement if the purchaser fails to comply with any term or condition; if the cottage is not substantially completed to lock up stage; or if any attempt is made to offer for sale or to sell the land prior to closing date; or if the purchaser becomes bankrupt or insolvent.

“What are the guidelines I have to follow to construct a cottage?”

It is a condition of the sale and lease agreements that the successful applicant must construct a cottage and complete the exterior of the cottage to “lock up stage” within 2 years or such earlier date as may be prescribed by by-law of the applicable rural municipality.  The date the two-year time frame begins will be indicated in the lease or sale agreement.  In subdivisions where road construction has not been completed, a separate notice will be sent at a later date once the road is completed.  The two-year time frame will then begin as of the date of that notice.  The exterior shall be considered complete and at “lock up stage” when doors, windows, finished exterior siding, and shingles or other roofing material have been installed.
Construction of cottages in Provincial Parks must comply with “The Cottagers Handbook”, available at:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/cottaging/documents/cottagers_handbook
_currently_under_revision.pdf 

Construction of cottages outside of provincial parks (all lots offered for sale on Crown land) must comply with all applicable legislation, regulations, building standards and zoning by-laws which can be obtained from the local Rural Municipality Office. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions – Constructing a Cottage on Crown Land for further information.

If requested in writing prior to the construction deadline, a purchaser/lessee may be granted an extension of the time to construct if extenuating circumstances exist that prevented completion of construction to lock up stage. The granting of an extension is at the sole discretion of Manitoba.

Sell Your Manitoba Cottage

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