New Brunswick renting guide
How to Rent in New Brunswick as a Newcomer or New Immigrant
Finding a home in a new province is a lot, especially before your Canadian credit and references exist. This guide walks through exactly what New Brunswick landlords ask for, what you can show instead, who actually holds your deposit here, and where to get free local help.
What you can show instead of Canadian credit
Having no Canadian credit history yet is completely normal, and it is not a dealbreaker. Landlords here care most that you can pay the rent and will look after the place. You show that with the documents you already have.
Your COPR, the landing paper you received when you became a permanent resident, is full proof of your status until your PR card arrives, so you do not need to wait for the card to start renting.
- A bank letter or statements showing savings, ideally a few months of rent
- An employer letter, or your job offer letter if you are starting work
- References from a past landlord or employer, from any country
- A guarantor with Canadian income and credit, if you have one
- Your PR card or COPR for proof of status
Who holds your deposit here (this surprises most newcomers)
In New Brunswick your security deposit is not held by your landlord. It goes to the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office through Service New Brunswick, and it is capped at one month's rent. Your landlord has to send it in within 15 days, and you receive a Certificate of Deposit in the mail confirming it. If you never get one, your landlord may not have sent it in, so contact the office to check.
Two things a landlord cannot do here: charge you an application fee, or ask for last month's rent up front. If someone asks for either, treat it as a warning sign.
What it costs, by city
Rent varies a lot across the province. Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John are the larger markets, while Miramichi tends to be more affordable. Before you commit to a budget, check the typical range for your city and place type so you can spot a deal, or a listing that is too good to be true.
Avoiding rental scams
Newcomers are targeted by rental scams more than anyone, often before they arrive. The rule that protects you is simple: never send money before you have seen the place, either in person or on a live video call where they show you the exact unit and address.
Pay only by traceable methods, never by wire transfer, e-transfer to hold a unit, gift cards, or crypto. And remember, a demand for last month up front or an application fee is itself against the rules in New Brunswick.
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
Proof of status (PR card or COPR), proof of funds, references, and an employer or offer letter.
- 2
Set a realistic budget
Check the typical rent for your city and place type, and leave room for utilities and tenant insurance.
- 3
Search where identity is verified
Use platforms that verify landlords and tenants, and never pay before you view the unit.
- 4
Build your renter pack
A renter resume and a checklist tailored to a newcomer file help you stand out with no local rental history.
- 5
View and verify
See the place in person or on a live video tour, and confirm the landlord actually owns or manages it.
- 6
Sign and inspect
Use the Standard Form of Lease, do a move-in inspection with dated 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
Free settlement help in your city
Common questions
What documents do I need to rent in New Brunswick as a newcomer?
Proof of status (your PR card, or your COPR until the card arrives), proof of income or savings (a bank letter, statements, or an employer or offer letter), and references. A guarantor with Canadian credit helps if you have no Canadian history yet. You do not need a SIN to rent.
Who holds my security deposit in New Brunswick?
Service New Brunswick holds it through the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office, not your landlord. It is capped at one month's rent, the landlord must remit it within 15 days, and you get a Certificate of Deposit in the mail confirming it.
Do I need a Canadian credit history or a SIN to rent?
No. A SIN is optional and never required to rent. With no Canadian credit, you can show proof of funds, an employer or offer letter, references, and a guarantor instead.
How much can a landlord raise my rent in New Brunswick?
Rent increases are capped at 3 percent a year, with at least six months written notice, and none in the first year of a tenancy.
How do I avoid rental scams as a newcomer?
Never send money before you have seen the unit in person or on a live video call showing the exact address. Use only traceable payment. A request for last month up front or an application fee is a red flag, since neither is allowed in New Brunswick.
What free help is there for newcomers looking for housing in New Brunswick?
Settlement agencies in each city offer free housing help, landlord introductions, and sometimes rent or deposit support. See the list below for Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, and Miramichi.
Sources
- Government of New Brunswick: Security deposits
- Government of New Brunswick: Rent increases
- PLEIS-NB: Landlord and tenant information
- CMHC: Renting a home, a guide for newcomers
- IRCC: Confirmation of permanent residence (COPR)
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.
