New Brunswick renting guide
Renting Off-Campus in New Brunswick: An International Student's Guide
Renting near UNB, STU, Universite de Moncton, or NBCC with no Canadian income or credit takes a different playbook. This guide covers what you can show instead, whether to rent before you arrive, where students live in each city, and the New Brunswick rules that protect you.
What you can show with no income or credit
Landlords know students do not have a Canadian credit file or a local job, so they look at other things. The strongest combination is proof that your studies are funded plus a guarantor who will back you.
- Your study permit and passport
- Proof of funds: a GIC, a scholarship letter, or bank statements
- Your enrolment or acceptance letter
- A guarantor, often a parent or relative with Canadian income and credit
Rent before you arrive, or wait?
Renting sight unseen is where most student scams happen. If you must line something up before you land, insist on a live video walkthrough where they show the exact unit, and never wire money to hold a place.
If you can, consider on-campus residence for your first term. It is simple, it gives you time to learn the city, and it builds a small Canadian rental record that makes your next application easier.
Where students live, by school
Fredericton is home to UNB and St. Thomas University, and the neighbourhoods around campus and downtown fill up fast. Moncton has Universite de Moncton and an NBCC campus. Saint John has UNB Saint John and NBCC. Each city has its own student pockets, so look at a few areas and compare rent before you decide.
The New Brunswick rules that protect you
Even as a student, you have the same protections as any tenant. Your deposit is capped at one month's rent and is held by Service New Brunswick, not your landlord. You cannot be charged an application fee or asked for last month's rent up front, and rent can only go up by 3 percent a year with six months notice.
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
Gather your documents
Study permit, passport, proof of funds (GIC, scholarship, or bank statements), enrolment letter, and a guarantor's details.
- 2
Decide residence or off-campus
Residence first can be simpler for your first term and builds a Canadian rental record.
- 3
Start early
Student demand peaks from January to April for the next year, and again in May and June for September.
- 4
Search safely
Use verified platforms, insist on a live video tour, and confirm the unit and landlord are real before paying anything.
- 5
Build your renter pack
Lead with proof of funds and a guarantor, which is the strongest combination for a student with no credit.
- 6
Sign and inspect
Use the Standard Form of Lease, do a move-in inspection with photos, and keep your Certificate of Deposit.
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 do I find off-campus housing near UNB, STU, Universite de Moncton, or NBCC?
Start with your school's off-campus housing office, then search verified rental platforms for the neighbourhoods around campus. Compare rent across a few areas, and never pay before you have seen the unit in person or on a live video tour.
Can I rent an apartment in New Brunswick before I arrive in Canada?
You can, but it is the highest-risk way to rent because of scams. If you must, insist on a live video walkthrough of the exact unit, use only traceable payment, and consider on-campus residence for your first term instead.
What documents do international students need with no income or credit?
Your study permit and passport, proof of funds such as a GIC or scholarship letter or bank statements, your enrolment letter, and ideally a guarantor with Canadian income and credit.
Is off-campus cheaper than residence?
It can be, especially if you share with roommates, but residence includes utilities and is simpler for a first term. Compare the all-in cost, including utilities and a meal plan, before deciding.
How do I avoid student rental scams?
Never send money before you see the unit, watch for rent that is far below similar places, and treat out-of-country landlords who cannot show you the unit as a red flag. Pay only by traceable methods.
How much can my rent go up, and who holds my deposit?
Rent can rise at most 3 percent a year with six months notice. Your deposit is capped at one month's rent and held by Service New Brunswick, not your landlord.
Sources
- IRCC: Proof of financial support for study
- Government of New Brunswick: Security deposits
- Government of New Brunswick: Rent increases
- 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.
