Who can request an accommodation?
Any tenant, household member, or applicant in NB subsidized housing who has a disability or functional limitation can request a reasonable accommodation from the landlord or housing provider. Requests should describe the specific change needed, how it addresses the functional barrier, and any urgency. If an agreement cannot be reached, tenants can consider the residential process for disputes [1] or human rights channels [3].
What counts as a reasonable accommodation?
Reasonable accommodations are changes to rules, services, or the built environment that let a person with a disability use and enjoy their unit. Common examples include ramps or grab bars, a permitted service animal, reserved accessible parking, accessible switches or bath modifications, or a unit transfer when the current unit cannot be adapted. Housing providers must balance health and safety and undue hardship concerns while considering human rights and tenancy rules [2].
How to ask your landlord or housing provider
- Write a dated, clear request that explains the accommodation and the functional need and keep a copy for your records.
- Attach or offer supporting documentation from a medical or allied professional, or provide consent to verify information if requested.
- Ask for a written response within a reasonable timeframe and politely note any urgent safety concerns.
- If the accommodation requires repairs or physical changes, request those in writing and follow up on repair timelines.
When you make a request, reference applicable policy or tenancy rules and consider sharing examples of reasonable adjustments used elsewhere. If you need help drafting a request, local tenant services can assist, and you can also Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme to look for already accessible listings.
Common questions and answers
- Can my landlord refuse an accommodation request?
- A landlord cannot refuse a request simply because it involves a disability; refusal is only lawful if the accommodation would cause undue hardship or pose a health and safety risk after an individualized assessment.
- Do I have to provide medical proof?
- You may be asked to provide documentation that explains the functional limitation and why the accommodation is needed, but disclosure should be limited to what is necessary to assess the request.
- What if the housing provider ignores my request?
- If a housing provider does not respond or denies the request, tenants can pursue dispute resolution through the provincial residential process or a human rights complaint depending on the issue and desired remedy [1][3].
How-To
- Gather documentation: obtain a note or report from a health professional that explains functional limits and recommended adjustments.
- Write your request: send a dated, written accommodation request to the housing provider describing the change and attaching supporting documents.
- Ask for a timeline: request a written response within a reasonable number of days and note any immediate safety needs.
- Escalate if needed: if the request is denied or ignored, apply to the Residential Tenancies process or file a human rights complaint as appropriate [1][3].
- Keep records: retain all correspondence, photos, receipts, and notes of phone calls in case you need to show evidence later.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Tribunal (Government of New Brunswick)
- New Brunswick Human Rights Commission
- Service New Brunswick — Housing information
Related tenant topics
For other practical tenant issues related to habitability or repairs, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting. For an overview of provincial rights, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick.
