In New Brunswick, rent increases are capped at 3% per year, and landlords must give 6 full months of written notice. Increases up to 9% are only allowed with prior approval from the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (TLRO) for capital improvements. If you wish to dispute an increase, you have 60 days to apply for a free review.
Opening a letter from your landlord and seeing a rent increase notice is stressful. With the rising cost of living across Canada, many tenants in cities like Moncton, Dieppe, and Fredericton worry about being priced out of their homes. In New Brunswick, landlords are bound by a strict 3% annual rent cap, with higher increases up to 9% permitted only under specific conditions approved by the province.
The Residential Tenancies Act caps standard annual rent increases at 3% to protect tenants from sudden spikes. 🏠 The law heavily protects tenants by demanding a very long notice period, giving you time to either budget for the new rent, dispute it, or find a new place to live. Here is exactly what is legally allowed and how you can protect your rights as of April 2026.
Step-by-Step Process in New Brunswick
Landlords cannot simply text you to say rent is going up next month. There is a strict legal procedure that must be followed, or the rent increase is completely invalid.
Step 1: Receiving the Proper Notice
Your landlord must provide you with a written Notice of Rent Increase. 📅 For a standard month-to-month or year-to-year lease, this notice must be given a full 6 months before the increase takes effect. The notice must be a proper formal document, not just a casual conversation in the hallway.
Step 2: Evaluating the Increase
Once you receive the notice, you need to decide if it is fair. Any standard increase above the 3% cap is invalid unless the landlord has received prior approval from the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (TLRO) based on documented capital improvements. Even with approval, the increase cannot exceed 9%.
Step 3: Applying to the TLRO for a Review
If you believe the increase is unfair or exceeds the legal limits, you must act fast. ⏰ You have exactly 60 days from the day you received the notice to file an Application for Assistance with the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (TLRO). Filing this application is completely free and puts a pause on the increase until it is reviewed.
Step 4: The TLRO Investigation
A TLRO Officer will investigate your dispute. If the landlord applied to exceed the 3% cap, they must prove substantial capital expenditures on repairs or renovations. The TLRO has the power to deny the increase, reduce the amount, or order that a permitted increase be phased in gradually over 2 to 3 years.
How Much Does it Cost in New Brunswick?
Fighting an unfair rent increase is designed to be affordable for everyday citizens. Here is what you need to know about the costs in CAD:
- TLRO Application Fee: Filing a dispute for a rent increase is $0 CAD.
- Lawyer Advice: If you want a lawyer to review your lease and advise you, a one-hour consultation usually costs $150 to $350 CAD.
- Phased-in Increases: If the TLRO decides an increase above 3% is justified but too sudden, they may order it to happen in chunks over 2 to 3 years, saving you immediate out-of-pocket costs.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Because of the strict 6-month notice rule, there is plenty of time for the legal process to unfold. 🕑
| Phase of the Process | Required Timeline | Important Details |
|---|---|---|
| Notice Period | 6 full months | Mandatory for all standard periodic leases (month-to-month or yearly). |
| Tenant Dispute Window | 60 days | You must apply to the TLRO within 60 days of getting the landlord’s notice. |
| TLRO Decision | 30 to 60 days | The officer will issue a ruling well before the 6-month notice period expires. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can my landlord increase rent during my first year?
No. Under New Brunswick law, a landlord cannot increase your rent during the first 12 months of your tenancy. They must wait until your first year is over before any increase can take effect.
What happens if I sign a brand new fixed-term lease?
If you have a fixed-term lease (for example, a lease that strictly ends on a specific date), the rent cannot change during that term. However, when you sign a new fixed-term lease, the landlord can set a new price, but they still must follow fairness guidelines if you are an existing tenant.
What is the current rent cap in New Brunswick?
In New Brunswick, there is a legislated rent cap of 3% per year. Landlords cannot increase rent beyond this 3% limit unless they receive prior approval from the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (TLRO) for significant capital improvements, up to a maximum of 9%.
Do I have to pay the higher rent while waiting for the TLRO decision?
Because the landlord must give 6 months’ notice, the TLRO will almost always issue their decision before the new rent is actually due. You simply continue paying your old rent amount until the official effective date.
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