Question 1

Can my landlord raise the rent by any amount?

Accepted Answer

No. The increase cannot be more than 3% in a 12-month period, and rent cannot be raised in the first year of a tenancy. You must get at least six months written notice.

Question 2

What if I think the increase is unfair?

Accepted Answer

You can ask the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office to review it within 60 days of getting the notice.

Question 3

Is New Brunswick changing its rental laws in 2026?

Accepted Answer

The 3% rent cap is confirmed for the 2027 calendar year. Separately, the provincial government has said it plans to introduce a fully revised Residential Tenancies Act in the legislature in fall 2026. The specific changes have not been published yet, so the current rules above still apply, and we will update this guide when the new Act is tabled.

Question 4

Who holds my deposit?

Accepted Answer

The Tenant and Landlord Relations Office holds it, not your landlord. The landlord must remit it within 15 days of receiving it.

Question 5

How do I know my landlord actually sent in my deposit?

Accepted Answer

Once the Office has it, it mails you a Certificate of Deposit with a tenancy number. If you have not received one within about four weeks, contact the Office, since it may mean your landlord did not remit it.

Question 6

Can a landlord keep my deposit for damage?

Accepted Answer

Not on their own. A landlord cannot deduct from your deposit without an order from the Office, and they have seven days after you move out to file a claim.

Question 7

How much notice before my landlord enters?

Accepted Answer

Generally 24 hours for inspections and showings, seven days for routine maintenance, and none for an emergency.

Question 8

My landlord ignores my repair requests. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

Put it in writing and keep a copy. If they still do nothing, serve a Notice of Complaint, wait about seven days, then file an Application for Assistance with the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office. An officer can order the repair or have it done at the landlord's cost.

Question 9

Can I stop paying rent until my landlord fixes things?

Accepted Answer

No. New Brunswick does not let you withhold rent or pay for a repair and deduct it, and doing so can put you in arrears. Go through the Office instead. An officer can order the repair, divert your rent to pay for it, or award you compensation.

Question 10

I have no heat in the middle of winter. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

That is an emergency. You do not have to wait, contact the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office right away at 1-888-762-8600. A landlord can never cut off heat, water, or power, and an officer can act quickly, even working with NB Power or other authorities.

Question 11

Can my landlord just kick me out?

Accepted Answer

No. A lockout or removing your belongings is illegal. A landlord has to follow the process, and to end a tenancy without cause they now need a specific reason and must state it in the notice.

Question 12

What happens if I am late on rent?

Accepted Answer

Your landlord can serve a Notice to Vacate. If you pay everything you owe within seven days, it is cancelled. Otherwise you have to move out by the date on the notice, which must be at least 15 days away.

Question 13

How do I dispute a non-payment eviction notice?

Accepted Answer

There is no separate form to file by a deadline. A landlord cannot evict you on their own for unpaid rent. They have to apply for an eviction order, and a residential tenancies officer investigates, which is where you explain your side and show any proof of payment. Paying everything you owe within seven days of the notice also cancels it. The 15-day review window applies to notices given for a reason like a landlord move-in, not to non-payment.

Question 14

Can a landlord say no pets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. No-pet clauses are enforceable in New Brunswick. Service and assistance animals are the exception and cannot be refused.

Question 15

My landlord says I cannot cook curry or I will have to leave. Is that allowed?

Accepted Answer

Singling you out over culturally specific cooking is very likely discrimination based on national or ethnic origin, which the Human Rights Act protects in housing. A landlord can apply a genuine, building-wide safety rule to everyone, but not a rule aimed at you. You can complain to the NB Human Rights Commission.

Question 16

My landlord asked if I am Christian, then a month later gave me a notice to move out. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

That raises two problems. Asking about your religion and then evicting can be religious discrimination, and since 2022 a landlord cannot end a tenancy without giving a permitted reason. You have two routes, and you can use both: ask the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office to review the notice within 15 days, and file a free complaint with the NB Human Rights Commission.

Question 17

My landlord will not rent to me, or harasses me, because I am gay or trans. Is that allowed?

Accepted Answer

No. Sexual orientation and gender identity are both protected in housing. A landlord cannot refuse you, evict you, or harass you over them, and even hateful comments can be discrimination. File a free complaint with the NB Human Rights Commission within a year, and if it is affecting your home, the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office can also step in.

Question 18

I have a disability and need a change, like a ramp or my service animal. Can my landlord say no?

Accepted Answer

A landlord has a duty to reasonably accommodate a disability, and can only refuse if they can prove real undue hardship, not just cost or inconvenience. A service or assistance animal must be allowed even with a no-pet rule. If your landlord refuses a reasonable accommodation, you can complain to the NB Human Rights Commission.

Question 19

Can a landlord refuse me because I am on assistance?

Accepted Answer

No. Source of income is protected under social condition, so a landlord cannot turn you down only because you get social assistance or other benefits. You can complain to the NB Human Rights Commission.

Question 20

How do I file a dispute?

Accepted Answer

Put it in writing to your landlord first. If that does not resolve it, file an application with the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office through Service New Brunswick.

Question 21

Do I need a written lease in New Brunswick?

Accepted Answer

No. A written lease is recommended but not required. Without one, the law still protects you and treats the deal as the Standard Form of Lease. If you do sign, you keep one signed original.

Question 22

Can my landlord charge a late fee?

Accepted Answer

No. New Brunswick does not allow a flat late fee or interest on late rent. The only charge a landlord can pass on is the actual bank fee for a bounced cheque, and only if your lease provides for it.

Question 23

Can my landlord shut off my heat or power?

Accepted Answer

No. A landlord cannot deliberately cut off heat, water, or electricity, except in an emergency or to make repairs. Who pays for them, though, depends on what your lease says.

Question 24

How much notice do I give to move out?

Accepted Answer

One month for a month-to-month tenancy, three months for year-to-year, and one week for week-to-week. Put it in writing and have it end on the last day of a rental period. A fixed-term lease ends on its date with no notice needed.

Question 25

What happens at the end of my fixed-term lease?

Accepted Answer

It ends on the date in the lease, and you do not need to give notice if you leave by then. If you stay and keep paying rent, you automatically create a new month-to-month tenancy.

Question 26

Does one month's notice mean I can leave thirty days later?

Accepted Answer

Not quite. Your notice has to end on the last day of a rental period, and your period follows your rent due date. If rent is due the first and you give notice on June 10, your earliest move-out is July 31, not July 10, because June 30 is less than a full month away. Giving notice just after a new period starts can push you to the end of the next month, so give it just before your rent is due.

Question 27

Can I break my lease early?

Accepted Answer

You can leave, but you usually owe rent until the end of the term. Your landlord has to try to re-rent the place, which reduces what you owe. You can also ask to assign the lease, and there are exceptions for violence and serious health hardship.

Question 28

Can I sublet or assign my place?

Accepted Answer

You can usually assign your lease, and your landlord cannot refuse without a good reason. They can charge up to $20 and have seven days to respond. Subletting is allowed too, but you stay fully responsible for the lease. Always check what your lease says.

Question 29

My roommate moved out and stopped paying. Am I on the hook?

Accepted Answer

If you both signed the lease, yes. You are each responsible for the full rent, so the landlord can look to you for it. You can take your roommate to Small Claims Court for their share. Bringing in a replacement usually needs the landlord's okay.

Question 30

Do I need a move-in inspection?

Accepted Answer

It is not required, but it is strongly recommended. A signed Accommodation Inspection Report with photos is the clearest proof of the unit's condition, and it is what protects your deposit if there is a dispute later.

Question 31

I rent the lot for my mobile home. Are the rules different?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is always month-to-month, the deposit can be up to three months' rent, your landlord needs six months' notice and a valid reason to end it, and you can leave on two months' notice. A landlord also cannot block you from selling your mobile home.

Question 32

I cannot afford my rent and might lose my place. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

Dial 2-1-1 any time to get connected to help near you. The Rent Bank can grant up to two months' rent (max $2,750) to stop an eviction, paid to your landlord, and you can apply for income assistance through Social Development. For an after-hours emergency, call 1-800-442-9799.

Question 33

I have nowhere to stay tonight.

Accepted Answer

Call 2-1-1 right away, any time, and they will help you find an emergency shelter or outreach near you. After hours, you can also reach Emergency Social Services at 1-800-442-9799.

Question 34

Can my landlord make me pay last month's rent up front?

Accepted Answer

No. A landlord cannot require you to prepay last month's rent, or to pay first and last month together. They can ask for the first month's rent plus one security deposit, and nothing more.

Question 35

Can a landlord charge an application fee or a pet fee?

Accepted Answer

No. New Brunswick does not allow application or credit-check fees, and pet fees and extra pet deposits are not allowed either. Beyond rent and the one security deposit, a landlord can only charge a real cost for a service, like replacing a lost key.

Question 36

My tenant left the unit filthy and is damaging it, but I want to keep them. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

You do not have to evict. Serve a written Notice of Complaint. For most issues the tenant has seven days to fix it, and for conduct issues they must act immediately. If they do not comply, a residential tenancies officer can step in. For damage, you can claim against the deposit or sue in Small Claims.

Question 37

A tenant caused a fire by overcooking and damaged the unit. Who pays?

Accepted Answer

The tenant is responsible for damage they or their guests cause through careless or wilful conduct, so that is on them. You can claim the cost against the security deposit through the Office, and if it costs more than the deposit, you can sue in Small Claims for up to $20,000.

Question 38

My tenant is noisy and disturbing the other residents. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

Noise and nuisance count as conduct, so a Notice of Complaint requires the tenant to stop immediately, not in seven days. If they keep it up, you escalate to a residential tenancies officer, who can investigate and ultimately issue a notice to quit.

Question 39

How do I get my security deposit back?

Accepted Answer

Apply to the Office after you move out, and give a forwarding address. You usually get it back within a few weeks, unless the landlord files a valid claim within seven days of the tenancy ending.

Question 40

My landlord is keeping my deposit and I do not agree. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

File a dispute with the Office. A residential tenancies officer will look at both sides and the evidence and decide how the deposit is split. A landlord cannot keep it on their own say-so.

Question 41

We have mice or bed bugs and my landlord has not done anything. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

Pest control is your landlord's responsibility. Report it in writing, and if they do nothing, serve a Notice of Complaint and file an Application for Assistance with the Office. For a real health hazard you can also call your municipality's property-standards office and your regional Public Health office.

Question 42

There is mold in my apartment. Whose problem is it?

Accepted Answer

Mold is the landlord's responsibility as part of keeping the place fit to live in. Report it in writing with photos, keep the unit ventilated on your side, and if it is not fixed, take it to the Office. For a health risk, your municipal standards office or Public Health can also inspect.

Question 43

Can my landlord ban smoking or cannabis?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with a clear clause in the lease, and a no-smoking clause covers cannabis smoking too. They can also stop you from growing cannabis. But they cannot ban edibles or other non-smoking forms, and they can only add a new ban to your existing lease if you agree.

Question 44

My landlord is selling. Do I have to move out?

Accepted Answer

No. A sale does not end your tenancy. Your lease stays the same and the new owner becomes your landlord on the same terms. If the buyer wants to live in the unit, they have to give you proper notice on the landlord-occupancy ground, they cannot just put you out.

Question 45

My tenant moved out and left a bunch of stuff. Can I throw it out?

Accepted Answer

Not on your own. The belongings are still the tenant's. Store them safely, try to reach the tenant, and apply to a residential tenancies officer, who will tell you whether you can dispose of, sell, or must store them. For money owed, file a deposit claim or go to court, do not hold the belongings.

Question 46

A tenant of mine passed away. What happens to the tenancy?

Accepted Answer

New Brunswick's current law has no specific rule for this. The tenancy generally continues as a responsibility of the estate, with rent still due, until it is ended under the ordinary notice rules. Because it is not spelled out, confirm the exact steps with the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office.

Question 47

I rent a room and share the kitchen with my landlord. Am I covered by tenant law?

Accepted Answer

Probably not. If you share a kitchen or bathroom with a landlord who lives in the building, that arrangement is excluded from the Residential Tenancies Act, so your rights depend on your agreement rather than the Act. If you do not share those spaces with the landlord, you are covered like any tenant.

Question 48

My landlord keeps letting himself in without notice. Is that allowed?

Accepted Answer

No. A landlord can only enter for specific reasons with proper notice, usually 24 hours for an inspection or showing and seven days for repairs, except in a real emergency. Repeated or unannounced entry is a breach. Put a Notice of Complaint in writing, then file with the Office, which can order it to stop.

Question 49

Can I change the locks so my landlord cannot come in?

Accepted Answer

Not on your own. In New Brunswick neither the tenant nor the landlord can change or add a lock on an entry door without the other agreeing, or written permission from a residential tenancies officer. A landlord also cannot lock you out, that is illegal.

Question 50

Do I have to get tenant insurance?

Accepted Answer

Not by law, but your landlord can require it in your lease, so check. Either way it is usually worth it, it covers your own belongings and your liability, which the landlord's insurance on the building does not.

Question 51

How long can a guest stay before they count as a tenant?

Accepted Answer

New Brunswick law does not set a limit, and a guest does not automatically become a tenant by staying. Someone only becomes a tenant by being added to the lease. Any guest rules come from your lease, not the Act, so check what you signed.

Question 52

My landlord wants to take away the parking that came with my apartment. Can he?

Accepted Answer

Not on his own, if it is part of your lease. A landlord cannot change lease terms unilaterally, including removing included parking or storage, except by mutual written agreement, or in a long-term five-year-plus tenancy with notice. If it is taken away, you can apply to the Office.

Question 53

Can my landlord raise my parking fee by more than the rent cap?

Accepted Answer

It depends on whether the parking charge is really part of your rent, which New Brunswick law does not spell out clearly, so the Office would decide on the facts. What a landlord cannot do is relabel rent as a separate fee to get around the 3% cap.

Question 54

I need a grab bar or ramp for my disability. Does my landlord have to allow it?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as part of the duty to accommodate, unless your landlord can prove real undue hardship. Put the request in writing, explain the need, and include a note from a healthcare provider if you can. As a rule the landlord covers the cost, and only genuine, evidenced hardship lets them refuse.

Question 55

Can my landlord refuse an accessibility change because of the cost?

Accepted Answer

Only if the cost is so high it would put them under severe financial strain, which they have to prove with real evidence, not just say it is inconvenient. Mere cost or speculation is not enough. If they refuse a reasonable request, you can complain to the NB Human Rights Commission.

Question 56

I am a student renting an apartment. Do I have the same rights as other tenants?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you rent off-campus, you are a tenant with the full protection of the Residential Tenancies Act, your student status makes no difference. A university residence is the exception, since it is usually outside the Act and follows the school's own rules.

Question 57

I am going home for the summer. Can I sublet my place and come back?

Accepted Answer

Usually yes, by assigning your lease, and your landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. Check your lease, since it can require their consent. Leaving the lease entirely before it ends can leave you owing the rest of the term, so assigning is the cleaner route.

Question 58

I am staying in an Airbnb. Am I a tenant with tenant rights?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. Short-term and vacation stays, like a tourist rental, hotel, or motel, are generally outside the Residential Tenancies Act, and your booking agreement governs instead. A short stay, under 90 days in a tourist establishment, is treated as transient. If it has become your real residence, the Act may apply, and the Office can help sort that out.

Question 59

Do I still have tenant rights in a rent-to-own?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Until you actually buy, you are a tenant, so the full Residential Tenancies Act applies, the deposit cap, the rent cap, repairs, and the eviction process. The buying side, though, is just a contract and is not specially regulated, so read it carefully.

Question 60

What is the biggest risk with rent-to-own?

Accepted Answer

Usually losing the extra money. If you miss a payment or decide not to buy, you can lose the rent credits you built up, depending on the contract. You can also be locked into the price even if the home drops in value. Have a lawyer review it and confirm in writing whether your credits are refundable.

Question 61

What should I check before signing a lease in New Brunswick?

Accepted Answer

Make sure it is the Standard Form of Lease and you get a signed copy. Confirm the rent, what is included, and the term. The deposit can be at most one month and is held by the Office. There is no legal application fee, pet fee, or last-month-up-front. Do a move-in inspection with photos, and never pay before you view the place.

Question 62

What counts as normal wear and tear versus damage I have to pay for?

Accepted Answer

Wear and tear is the natural aging from ordinary use, like faded paint, lightly worn carpet, or minor scuffs, and that is the landlord's cost. Damage is something you or a guest caused carelessly or on purpose, like holes, burns, or stains, and that is on you. An officer decides borderline cases.

Question 63

Does my landlord need the place professionally cleaned, or can they charge a cleaning fee?

Accepted Answer

No. The standard is ordinary, reasonable cleanliness, not professional cleaning, and a landlord cannot charge a flat cleaning fee. They can claim the deposit if you leave it genuinely unclean or damaged, but they have to prove it and an officer decides.

Question 64

Do I have to pay the Rent Bank grant back?

Accepted Answer

No. It is a grant, not a loan, so you do not repay it. The Province does note it counts as a taxable benefit.

Renting in New Brunswick, explained.

Guides for New Brunswick

Rent increases

Security deposits

Landlord entry and privacy

Repairs, maintenance, and emergencies

Eviction and ending a tenancy

Pets and no-pet clauses

Discrimination and your rights

Disputes and the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office

Leases and the standard form

Paying rent and late fees

Heat, utilities, and services

Giving notice to move out

Breaking a lease early

Subletting and assigning

Roommates and co-tenants

Move-in and move-out inspections

Mobile home sites

Help if you cannot afford rent or are facing homelessness

What a landlord can and cannot charge

Tenant responsibilities, damage, and problem behaviour

Getting your security deposit back

Pests, mold, and unsafe conditions

Smoking and cannabis

If your landlord sells the place

Belongings left behind

When a tenant passes away

Renting a room or shared housing

Landlord harassment and your peace at home

Tenant insurance

Guests and occupants

Parking and storage

Accessibility and disability accommodations

Renting as a student

Short-term and vacation rentals

Rent-to-own and lease-to-own

What to check before you sign a lease

Wear and tear, cleaning, and moving out

Rent Bank: emergency grant for rent arrears

Subsidized housing and rent supplements

Becoming a landlord in New Brunswick

A landlord's rights and responsibilities

Emergency housing and shelter: where to turn now

Funding to build or convert rental housing

Guides by situation

How to Rent in New Brunswick as a Newcomer or New Immigrant

Renting Off-Campus in New Brunswick: An International Student's Guide

How to Rent an Apartment With No Credit History (New Brunswick and Canada)

Renting Your First Apartment in New Brunswick

Renting in New Brunswick, in one app.