Drone cameras and hobby UAVs raise new privacy questions for renters. If you live in New Brunswick and are worried about drones recording your unit, shared yard, or balcony, this guide explains what tenants should know about privacy rights, landlord entry rules, and when surveillance may be unlawful. Youll find practical steps for documenting incidents, communicating with your landlord, and filing a complaint with the provincial residential tenancy tribunal. The language avoids legal jargon and focuses on clear actions tenants can take to protect their privacy, preserve evidence, and pursue remedies in New Brunswick. Keep in mind that privacy and aviation rules may both apply, and local tenancy rules determine how surveillance intersects with landlord responsibilities.
What New Brunswick law covers
Residential tenancy law in New Brunswick sets out when landlords can enter a rental unit and the privacy protections tenants can expect. The provincial Residential Tenancies Tribunal handles disputes about unlawful entry, harassment, and other tenancy issues. [1] The relevant statute offers rules about landlord entry and tenant remedies; review the act if you suspect surveillance is part of an entry or harassment pattern. [2]
When drone surveillance may be a tenancy problem
- Drone records inside a unit through open windows or when a landlord has asked to access the unit without proper notice.
- Persistent flights focused on a private balcony, bedroom window, or an enclosed yard that interfere with reasonable privacy.
- Use of footage to threaten, harass, or intimidate a tenant or to monitor comings and goings without consent.
- Drone activity that accompanies an unlawful entry or a pattern of visits outside permitted entry reasons.
If you think a drone sighting connects to a landlord or property manager, start by documenting what you see. Note dates, times, directions, and any identifying details about the drone. Keep copies of messages, photos, or video you record from a safe location.
Practical steps tenants can take
- Document each incident with time-stamped photos, video, or a written log that includes witnesses.
- Contact your landlord in writing to ask whether they or their contractors are operating drones and to express privacy concerns.
- If the landlord does not respond or the issue continues, request the landlord to agree in writing to stop surveillance or to provide a lawful reason.
- Do not attempt to disable or capture drones yourself; that may create safety or legal risks.
- If the problem persists, prepare to apply to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for relief, attaching your documentation. [3]
Also remember that drone operations are regulated by federal aviation rules; where both tenancy and aviation law apply, you may need to raise the issue with both provincial tenancy authorities and federal aviation/transport authorities.
FAQ
- Can my landlord legally fly a drone that records my rental unit?
- It depends. If recording amounts to harassment, unlawful surveillance, or an improper entry into your private space, the conduct can violate tenant privacy and tenancy rules; raise concerns with your landlord in writing and consider filing with the tribunal.
- What evidence helps a tenancy complaint about drone surveillance?
- Date- and time-stamped photos or video, a written log of incidents, witness statements, and written communications with the landlord all strengthen a tenants case.
- Should I call the police about drone activity?
- If you feel threatened or the drone operation is part of criminal harassment, call the police; for tenancy-specific remedies, contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal or file a civil application.
- Can the tribunal order my landlord to stop using drones?
- Yes. The tribunal can grant orders to stop harassment, prevent unlawful entries, and award remedies if the evidence shows tenancy rules were breached.
How-To
- Document the incident immediately with photos, video, and a written log that records date, time, and location.
- Send a calm written notice to your landlord describing the drone activity and asking whether they or anyone acting for them is responsible.
- If there is no satisfactory response, request a written agreement to stop surveillance and keep that request as evidence.
- Prepare and submit an application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal with your documentation and copies of written requests to the landlord.
- Follow tribunal directions, attend hearings, and keep copies of all decisions and orders.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Tribunal - Government of New Brunswick
- Department of Justice and Public Safety New Brunswick
- Residential Tenancies Act (New Brunswick)
