The complete legal eviction process in Newfoundland and Labrador typically takes 6 to 12 weeks. This includes mandatory notice periods, waiting for a Residential Tenancies Division hearing, and organizing the Office of the High Sheriff for final enforcement if the tenant refuses to vacate.
When a tenancy turns sour, every passing day can feel like a massive financial drain 💰. Landlords in Newfoundland and Labrador often find themselves frustrated by the pace of the legal system. The provincial laws are heavily balanced to ensure that tenants are not unjustly thrown out onto the streets, which means the process requires strict adherence to mandatory timelines.
Whether your rental unit is situated in downtown St. John’s, Gander, or Labrador City, you cannot bypass the law to speed things up . Attempting to change the locks or cut the power will only result in severe penalties against you. To maintain your professionalism and protect your property, you need a clear understanding of exactly how long each phase of the eviction process will take under the current Residential Tenancies Act.
Step-by-Step Timeline of the Eviction Process in NL
The timeline heavily depends on the specific reason for the eviction 🤔. The most common reason is the non-payment of rent. Let us walk through the typical chronological steps for a rent-related eviction as of May 2026.
Step 1: The Grace Period (5 Days)
If your tenant’s rent is due on the 1st of the month and they fail to pay, you cannot immediately serve an eviction notice. Under NL law, rent must be legally “in arrears” for a specific period. You must wait a full 5 days after the rent due date before you are permitted to take formal action .
Step 2: The Notice Period (10 Days)
On the 6th day, you can officially serve the tenant with a formal Notice of Termination. For unpaid rent, this notice gives the tenant 10 clear days to either pay the rent in full or move out 📧. If the tenant pays the full amount owed within this 10-day window, the eviction notice becomes completely void, and the tenancy continues as normal.
Step 3: Filing and Waiting for a Hearing (3 to 6 Weeks)
If the 10 days pass and the tenant neither pays nor vacates, you must file an Application for Dispute Resolution with the Residential Tenancies Division (RTD). Currently, there is a backlog of cases. Once you pay your $20 CAD filing fee, it typically takes 3 to 6 weeks for Service NL to schedule and conduct the telephone hearing .
Step 4: Awaiting the Adjudicator’s Decision (1 to 2 Weeks)
After the hearing concludes, the adjudicator will not usually give you an answer on the phone. They need time to review the evidence and write a formal legal decision 📊. You can expect to receive the written Order of Possession in the mail or via email within 1 to 2 weeks following the hearing date.
Step 5: Supreme Court and Sheriff Enforcement (2 to 3 Weeks)
If the tenant ignores the official RTD order, you must escalate. You must register the order with the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador and then hire the Office of the High Sheriff . Scheduling the Sheriff to physically visit the property, alongside arranging for moving companies or locksmiths, generally takes an additional 2 to 3 weeks depending on their regional workload.
How Much Does it Cost in Newfoundland and Labrador?
While time is your biggest concern, the financial costs of this prolonged timeline are important to track. Here is an overview of standard eviction costs in CAD:
| Phase of Eviction | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Notice Delivery | $0 – $15 (Registered Mail) |
| RTD Application Fee | $20 |
| Lost Rental Income | 1 to 3 months of rent |
| Office of the High Sheriff | $100 – $300+ (Execution & mileage) |
As illustrated, the true cost of an eviction is not the government fees, but rather the two or three months of lost rental income while you wait for the legal machinery to operate.
Alternative Notice Timelines
It is important to note that timelines change entirely based on the cause of eviction 📅. If you are evicting a tenant because they caused extraordinary damage to the premises or are threatening the safety of other residents, you can serve a highly expedited notice giving them just 5 days to leave. Conversely, if you simply want to end a month-to-month tenancy without cause (just because you want the unit back), you must provide the tenant with a massive 3 months’ written notice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I speed up the Residential Tenancies hearing?
Generally, you cannot jump the queue just for unpaid rent. However, if the tenant is actively destroying the property, posing a severe physical danger to other tenants, or conducting dangerous illegal activities, you can request an expedited emergency hearing from the Director of Residential Tenancies.
What happens if I count the 10 days incorrectly?
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the day the notice is served and the final day of the notice do not count as ‘clear days.’ If your math is wrong by even one day, the adjudicator will declare your notice invalid, and you will have to start the entire weeks-long process over from the beginning.
Do weekends and holidays count in the notice period?
Yes, standard calendar days (including weekends and statutory holidays) generally count towards the 10-day notice period for non-payment of rent. However, if the final day lands on a Sunday or a holiday, the deadline is typically extended to the next business day.
Can the tenant appeal the adjudicator’s decision?
Yes. A tenant has the right to appeal an RTD Order of Possession to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, but only on a question of law or jurisdiction. If they file an appeal, it can pause the eviction and extend the timeline by several more months.
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