Rental assistant
Ask anything about renting.
Plain answers about your rights as a tenant or a landlord in New Brunswick, from the official rules, with a source on every answer. Tap the chat button in the corner to start a conversation.
Popular questions in New Brunswick
A few of the things renters and landlords ask us most. Last verified July 20, 2026.
Can my landlord raise the rent by any amount?
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.
What if I think the increase is unfair?
You can ask the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office to review it within 60 days of getting the notice.
Is New Brunswick changing its rental laws in 2026?
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.
Who holds my deposit?
The Tenant and Landlord Relations Office holds it, not your landlord. The landlord must remit it within 15 days of receiving it.
How do I know my landlord actually sent in my deposit?
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.
Can a landlord keep my deposit for damage?
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.
How much notice before my landlord enters?
Generally 24 hours for inspections and showings, seven days for routine maintenance, and none for an emergency.
My landlord ignores my repair requests. What can I do?
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.
Can I stop paying rent until my landlord fixes things?
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.
I have no heat in the middle of winter. What do I do?
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.
Can my landlord just kick me out?
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.
What happens if I am late on rent?
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.
How do I dispute a non-payment eviction notice?
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.
Can a landlord say no pets?
Yes. No-pet clauses are enforceable in New Brunswick. Service and assistance animals are the exception and cannot be refused.
My landlord says I cannot cook curry or I will have to leave. Is that allowed?
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.
My landlord asked if I am Christian, then a month later gave me a notice to move out. What can I do?
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.
My landlord will not rent to me, or harasses me, because I am gay or trans. Is that allowed?
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.
I have a disability and need a change, like a ramp or my service animal. Can my landlord say no?
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.
Can a landlord refuse me because I am on assistance?
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.
How do I file a dispute?
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.
Do I need a written lease in New Brunswick?
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.
Can my landlord charge a late fee?
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.
Can my landlord shut off my heat or power?
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.
How much notice do I give to move out?
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.
What happens at the end of my fixed-term lease?
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.
Does one month's notice mean I can leave thirty days later?
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.
Can I break my lease early?
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.
Can I sublet or assign my place?
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.
My roommate moved out and stopped paying. Am I on the hook?
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.
Do I need a move-in inspection?
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.
I rent the lot for my mobile home. Are the rules different?
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.
I cannot afford my rent and might lose my place. What can I do?
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.
I have nowhere to stay tonight.
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.
Can my landlord make me pay last month's rent up front?
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.
Can a landlord charge an application fee or a pet fee?
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.
My tenant left the unit filthy and is damaging it, but I want to keep them. What can I do?
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.
A tenant caused a fire by overcooking and damaged the unit. Who pays?
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.
My tenant is noisy and disturbing the other residents. What can I do?
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.
How do I get my security deposit back?
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.
My landlord is keeping my deposit and I do not agree. What can I do?
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.
We have mice or bed bugs and my landlord has not done anything. What can I do?
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.
There is mold in my apartment. Whose problem is it?
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.
Can my landlord ban smoking or cannabis?
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.
My landlord is selling. Do I have to move out?
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.
My tenant moved out and left a bunch of stuff. Can I throw it out?
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.
A tenant of mine passed away. What happens to the tenancy?
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.
I rent a room and share the kitchen with my landlord. Am I covered by tenant law?
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.
My landlord keeps letting himself in without notice. Is that allowed?
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.
Can I change the locks so my landlord cannot come in?
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.
Do I have to get tenant insurance?
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.
How long can a guest stay before they count as a tenant?
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.
My landlord wants to take away the parking that came with my apartment. Can he?
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.
Can my landlord raise my parking fee by more than the rent cap?
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.
I need a grab bar or ramp for my disability. Does my landlord have to allow it?
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.
Can my landlord refuse an accessibility change because of the cost?
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.
I am a student renting an apartment. Do I have the same rights as other tenants?
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.
I am going home for the summer. Can I sublet my place and come back?
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.
I am staying in an Airbnb. Am I a tenant with tenant rights?
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.
Do I still have tenant rights in a rent-to-own?
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.
What is the biggest risk with rent-to-own?
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.
What should I check before signing a lease in New Brunswick?
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.
What counts as normal wear and tear versus damage I have to pay for?
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.
Does my landlord need the place professionally cleaned, or can they charge a cleaning fee?
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.
Do I have to pay the Rent Bank grant back?
No. It is a grant, not a loan, so you do not repay it. The Province does note it counts as a taxable benefit.
How much can I get?
The grant cannot be more than two months' rent for your unit, up to a maximum of $2,750, and it goes toward your rent arrears.
I am already in subsidized housing. Can I use it for arrears?
For rental arrears, the Rent Bank does not cover tenants of public housing, the Rural and Indigenous Housing Program, or a rent supplement. Call Housing NB at 1-833-733-7835 about your options.
How is my rent decided in a rent supplement?
Under the Rent Supplement, Portable Rent Supplement, and Rural and Indigenous Housing programs, your rent is lowered to 30% of your adjusted household income, and the program covers the rest up to the market rent.
What is the income cut-off?
It depends on household size and whether you are urban or rural. For a one-bedroom household it is under $45,000 urban or $50,500 rural; larger households have higher ceilings. You must also be in housing need, and some exceptions can apply.
I live with a disability. Is there an option I can take with me?
Yes. The Portable Rent Supplement is for people who live with a disability and follows you rather than a specific building, so you can find your own suitable place. Your rent is set at 30% of your adjusted household income. Call Housing NB at 1-833-733-7835.
Is the Direct-to-Tenant Rent Benefit open?
As of June 2026, the Direct-to-Tenant Rent Benefit and the Canada-New Brunswick Housing Benefit are not accepting new applications, because the year's funds are fully allocated. Dial 2-1-1 to check the current status and other help.
Can I charge an application fee or for a credit check?
No. You can ask an applicant to apply and, with their written consent, run a credit check, but you cannot charge an application or credit-check fee. See our What a landlord can and cannot charge guide.
Where does the security deposit go?
You can collect at most one month's rent (one week for a week-to-week tenancy) and must send it to the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office within 15 days. The Office holds it, not you.
Do I have to use the government lease?
New Brunswick has an official Standard Form of Lease, and putting your terms in writing protects both sides. Our lease filler completes the official form on your device, and you give the tenant a signed copy.
What can I expect from my tenant?
Rent paid on time, the lease followed, the unit kept reasonably clean, any damage they or their guests cause repaired, no nuisance to others, and proper notice before they move out.
Can I ever shut off a tenant's heat or power?
No, except in a genuine emergency. Interrupting heat, water, or electricity to pressure a tenant is not allowed.
What are my obligations around the deposit?
Collect at most one month's rent and submit it to Service New Brunswick within 15 days. The Office holds the deposit, and you need an order to claim against it. See our Security deposits guide.
I have nowhere to stay tonight. What do I do?
If you are in danger, call 911. Otherwise dial 2-1-1 any time, free and confidential, and they will connect you to an emergency shelter or outreach near you. After office hours you can also call After-Hours Emergency Social Services at 1-833-733-7835.
Is 211 really free and confidential?
Yes. 211 is a free, 24/7 service, and you do not have to give your name or personal details to ask for help finding housing, shelter, and other supports.
Where can I find the actual list of shelters?
211 keeps an up-to-date directory, because shelters and their available space change often. Call 2-1-1 or use the Social Supports NB emergency housing list rather than relying on a fixed list that can go out of date.
I have one unit to rent out. Do these apply to me?
Usually not directly. The HST rebate is for purpose-built rental of at least four units and excludes duplexes, triplexes, single homes, and renovations. The Affordable Rental Housing Program is for building, repairing, or converting rental projects, so it fits if you are creating housing rather than renting out a place you already have.
How much is the Affordable Rental Housing forgivable loan?
It is per unit and depends on size and applicant. For a private entrepreneur it ranges from $60,000 for a bachelor to $77,000 for a three-bedroom, with higher amounts for non-profits, in exchange for keeping the rents affordable. Contact Housing NB at 1-833-733-7835.
Who administers the HST rebate?
The Canada Revenue Agency administers it, similar to the federal rebate. New Brunswick rebates 100% of its 10% portion of the HST on eligible new purpose-built rental housing.
Where the assistant can help
NestEazy is live in New Brunswick today, so that is where the answers are most complete. We are growing across Atlantic Canada. For the other provinces the assistant points you to the official board, and you can ask to be notified when we launch.
Nova Scotia
Coming soonPrince Edward Island
Coming soonNewfoundland and Labrador
Coming soonThis is general information, not legal advice. For a decision on your situation, contact your province's tenancy board.
