Becoming a landlord in New Brunswick in New Brunswick

Knowing what a good landlord is supposed to do helps you spot a bad one. Expect to be screened by the same fair process as everyone else, to get a signed copy of your lease, and to have your security deposit sent to the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office, not kept by the landlord. Your landlord must keep the place safe and in good repair, give proper notice before entering or raising the rent, and cannot cut off your heat, water, or power. If any of that is missing, our guides on security deposits, landlord entry, repairs, and rent increases explain your recourse.

A few things get a first-time landlord most of the way there. Screen applicants with one fair procedure you use for everyone, and ask for references from past or current landlords; you may run a credit check with the applicant's written consent, but you cannot charge an application or credit-check fee. Put every rule in writing using New Brunswick's Standard Form of Lease and give the tenant a signed copy; our lease filler completes the official form for you. Collect at most one month's rent as a deposit and send it to the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office within 15 days, since the Office holds it, not you. Keep the unit safe, clean, and in good repair, respond to repair requests promptly, and never cut off heat, water, or power except in a genuine emergency. Give proper written notice before you enter, before any rent increase (at most 3% once in 12 months, with six months' notice), and to end a tenancy; our notice generators set the right timing. And you cannot screen or refuse anyone on grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. For the detail on each rule, see our guides on leases, security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, and ending a tenancy.