New Brunswick renting guide
Renting Your First Apartment in New Brunswick
Your first place is exciting and a little intimidating. This is the plain-language version, written for New Brunswick, so you know what a deposit really is, how much rent you can afford, what to check before you sign, and how to protect your money.
How much rent can you afford
A common guideline is to keep rent around 30 to 35 percent of your income before tax, but the real test is your full budget. Rent is rarely the only cost. Add utilities you pay yourself, internet, tenant insurance, and getting around, then see what is comfortable.
What a damage deposit is, and who holds it in NB
A security or damage deposit is money you pay at the start that protects the landlord against unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear. In New Brunswick it can be at most one month's rent.
Here is the part that surprises first-time renters: your landlord does not keep it. The deposit goes to Service New Brunswick, and you get a Certificate of Deposit in the mail confirming it. You also cannot be asked for last month's rent up front, and there is no legal application fee.
What to check before you sign
Make sure it is the Standard Form of Lease and that you get your own signed copy. Confirm the rent, what utilities and services are included, the term, and the move-in date.
- Is it month-to-month or a fixed term?
- Which utilities are included, and which do you pay?
- What is the parking, laundry, and pet situation?
- There is no legal application fee, pet fee, or last month up front
Tenant insurance and the move-in inspection
Tenant insurance is not required by law, but many landlords require it in the lease, and it is inexpensive. It covers your belongings and your liability if something happens.
Before you move your things in, do a condition inspection with the landlord and take dated photos of every room. This Accommodation Inspection Report is your best protection when it is time to get your deposit back.
With no local history, a clean application is what gets you approved. Build a free renter pack, a resume, a cover letter, and a checklist made for your situation.
Step by step
- 1
Set your budget
Aim for rent around a third of your income, then add utilities, insurance, and other costs to see what is comfortable.
- 2
Search and view safely
See the place before you pay anything, and never e-transfer to hold a unit you have not seen.
- 3
Read the lease
Confirm it is the Standard Form of Lease, check what is included, and get your own signed copy.
- 4
Build a renter pack if your file is thin
With no rental history, a renter resume with a guarantor and references helps you stand out.
- 5
Do a move-in inspection
Walk through with the landlord and take dated photos of every room to protect your deposit.
- 6
Get your deposit back at move-out
Clean the unit, do a move-out inspection, and apply to Service New Brunswick with your forwarding address.
New Brunswick at a glance
- Security deposit
- 1 month's rent max (1 week for week-to-week)
- Who holds it
- Service New Brunswick, not the landlord
- Last month up front
- Not allowed in New Brunswick
- Application fee
- Not allowed
- Rent increase cap
- 3% a year, with 6 months notice
- SIN
- Optional, never required to rent
Common questions
How much is a security deposit in New Brunswick?
At most one month's rent, or one week's rent for a week-to-week tenancy. You cannot also be asked for last month's rent up front.
Who holds my damage deposit in New Brunswick?
Service New Brunswick holds it through the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office, not your landlord. You receive a Certificate of Deposit in the mail confirming it was received.
How much rent can I afford?
A common guideline is around 30 to 35 percent of your before-tax income, but check your full budget including utilities, insurance, and other costs before you commit.
What utilities will I pay, and what is usually included?
It varies by unit. Some rents include heat and hot water, others include nothing. Always confirm in the lease which utilities are included and which you pay yourself.
Is tenant insurance mandatory in New Brunswick?
It is not required by law, but many landlords require it in the lease. It is inexpensive and covers your belongings and your liability, so it is worth having either way.
What should I check before signing a lease?
Confirm it is the Standard Form of Lease, that you get a signed copy, the rent and term, what utilities are included, and the move-in date. Remember there is no legal application fee, pet fee, or last month up front.
How do I get my deposit back when I move out?
Clean the unit, do a move-out inspection with photos, and apply to Service New Brunswick for the refund with your forwarding address. The landlord has seven days after the tenancy ends to file a claim, or it comes back to you.
Sources
- Government of Canada (FCAC): Renting your first apartment
- Government of New Brunswick: Security deposits
- Government of New Brunswick: First-time renters
- PLEIS-NB: Landlord and tenant information
This is general information, not legal advice. For a decision on your situation, contact Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (formerly the Residential Tenancies Tribunal).
Have a specific question? Ask the rental assistant for a plain answer with a source.
