Living in New Brunswick means renters sometimes face urgent problems outside normal business hours — burst pipes, no heat, or electrical hazards. Knowing your rights as a tenant and what a landlord may lawfully do to enter your unit for emergency repairs can reduce stress and protect your privacy. This guide explains how emergency entry works in New Brunswick, what constitutes an emergency, when landlords can enter without formal notice, and practical steps tenants should take before and after an after-hours repair. It also describes what official forms or tribunal remedies may apply and points to where to get help so you can respond confidently and keep documentation that protects your rights.
When is a repair an emergency?
An emergency is any situation that threatens safety, significant property damage, or the basic habitability of your unit. Typical examples are:
- Burst pipes or major flooding that can damage the unit or neighbouring units.
- No heating in cold weather that risks health or freezing pipes.
- Live electrical faults, gas smells, or other immediate safety hazards.
What landlords can and cannot do after hours
In New Brunswick the Residential Tenancies Act governs when a landlord may enter without advance notice for emergencies [1]. Generally, if there is a genuine emergency the landlord or an authorized worker may enter your unit without written notice to stop damage or protect safety. They should limit entry to what is needed and, when possible, notify you as soon as they can or leave a written note explaining the entry. For more detail on emergency standards and tenant responsibilities, see Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities.
- Advance notice: For non-emergencies landlords usually must give notice; emergencies are the exception.
- Entry scope: Workers should only do the work needed to make the unit safe and habitable.
- Documentation: Ask for identification and a written note or invoice after the repair to record what was done.
FAQ
- Can my landlord enter my rental unit at night for an emergency?
- Yes. If there is an immediate threat to safety or property a landlord or authorized repair person may enter without prior written notice, but they must limit the entry to necessary repairs and notify you as soon as reasonably possible.
- Do I have to let workers in if I am home during an after-hours emergency?
- If there is a genuine emergency, you should allow access for safety and to stop further damage; if you have concerns, ask to see ID and request a brief written record of the visit.
- What can I do if I disagree that the entry was an emergency?
- Document the event, keep any receipts or notes, and consider applying to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for resolution if you believe entry was improper.
How-To
- Contact your landlord or property manager immediately to report the issue and confirm whether the situation is an emergency.
- Document the problem with photos, time-stamped notes, and witnesses where possible.
- If workers arrive for an emergency, ask for ID, allow necessary access, and request a written note of the repairs left at the unit.
- After repairs, request invoices or receipts and follow up in writing to confirm what was done.
- If you believe entry was improper, collect your documentation and contact the tribunal or tenant services to file an application or complaint.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Tribunal (Government of New Brunswick)
- Residential Tenancies Act and official forms (Service New Brunswick)
