Renting a home in New Brunswick comes with important protections for your safety and well-being. Landlords are legally required to maintain their properties according to specific health and safety standards. Knowing these requirements can help you advocate for a safe, habitable living space — and understand what to do if something isn't right.
Who Enforces Rental Health & Safety in New Brunswick?
Residential tenancies in New Brunswick are overseen by the Residential Tenancies Tribunal. This board ensures both tenants and landlords comply with the Residential Tenancies Act of New Brunswick[1].
What Health & Safety Standards Must Landlords Follow?
New Brunswick law states landlords must provide and maintain rental properties in a condition fit for habitation and compliant with health, safety, housing, and building standards. Tenants can expect the following protections:
- Structural safety – sound foundations, walls, stairs, and railings
- Safe electrical and plumbing systems
- Proper heating, lighting, and ventilation
- Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Supplies of hot and cold running water
- Leak-free windows, roofing, and weatherproofing
- No infestations of pests, vermin, or mold
These standards apply throughout the rental period – not just when you move in. If a major repair is needed or a hazard arises, your landlord must take reasonable action to fix it promptly.
Common Health & Safety Issues for Tenants
Some of the most frequent problems tenants face involve heating failures, unsanitary conditions, pest infestations, or dangerous wiring. If you're concerned about conditions in your rental, review Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting for practical advice on what to watch for and how to start a conversation with your landlord.
Landlords’ Responsibilities: Routine Repairs & Emergencies
Repairs required for your health and safety — such as fixing broken locks, hazardous stairs, or non-working furnaces — must be addressed quickly. For more about responsibilities, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.
Minor, cosmetic issues (like a squeaking floor) may not require urgent action, but anything posing a risk to you or other tenants must be investigated fast. If an emergency arises (such as a lack of heat during winter), contact your landlord immediately; they are expected to act within 24 hours for urgent issues.
What If My Landlord Won't Fix Health or Safety Problems?
If you have reported a problem that threatens your health or safety and your landlord does not act, you have options. In New Brunswick, tenants can apply to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for help enforcing standards or resolving disputes.
How to File a Complaint or Request a Repair
If basic maintenance or repairs are neglected:
- Inform your landlord in writing and keep copies of every message
- Allow reasonable time (usually several days for non-urgent repairs, 24 hours for emergencies)
- If the problem continues, you may formally apply to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal
Official Forms & How to Use Them
Tenants needing formal assistance can use the following forms:
- Application for Assistance – Form 6: Use this form if your landlord isn’t addressing required repairs or health and safety standards. Submit it online or in-person to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal. For example, if mold persistently grows in your unit and isn’t removed after multiple requests, apply for tribunal intervention using this form. Download Form 6 from the Government of New Brunswick.
- Notice to Comply – Form 8A: Issued by the tribunal if your case is accepted, this directs the landlord to make necessary repairs within a set time. You do not complete this form yourself — the tribunal does so if your application is successful. Read about Notice to Comply – Form 8A here.
Further instructions for using these forms are available on the Residential Tenancies Tribunal website.
Legal Reference: The Residential Tenancies Act
All health and safety rights for tenants in New Brunswick are protected under the Residential Tenancies Act, which sets out duties for both landlords and tenants.
For a full outline of rental rights and standards, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick.
Looking for your next apartment that meets these standards? Browse apartments for rent in Canada with built-in search and safety filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the most common health and safety violations in New Brunswick rentals?
Common violations include faulty heating, lack of working smoke alarms, pest infestations, and plumbing problems that cause leaks or mould. - How quickly must a landlord make emergency repairs?
Landlords are expected to handle urgent repairs (like loss of heat or water) within 24 hours in most cases. - Can my landlord evict me for requesting repairs?
No, it's illegal for a landlord to retaliate against you for asserting your rights or making repair requests under the Act. - What documentation should I keep if my landlord will not make repairs?
Always keep dated copies of all correspondence, photos of the issue, and a record of any responses or attempted fixes. - Who can I contact if I still need help?
New Brunswick’s Residential Tenancies Tribunal or local Public Health can provide guidance and support.
Key Takeaways for New Brunswick Tenants
- Landlords must keep your rental unit safe and in good repair at all times.
- You have the right to request repairs and expect hazards to be fixed promptly.
- Support is available if your landlord does not respond — file the correct form with the Residential Tenancies Tribunal.
Need Help? Resources for Tenants
- New Brunswick Residential Tenancies Tribunal: Guidance, forms, and how to file applications
- Public Health New Brunswick: For health and environmental concerns
- Legal Aid New Brunswick: 1-800-561-6300 (for eligible tenants seeking legal advice)
- Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick
