New Brunswick Tenant Utilities & Services Checklist

Moving into a new rental home in New Brunswick? Ensuring your utilities and essential services are set up and clearly understood will give you peace of mind and help avoid unexpected costs. This comprehensive checklist covers what New Brunswick tenants need to know about utilities, common pitfalls, and key steps for a smooth transition.

Understanding Utilities in New Brunswick Rentals

Utilities refer to basic services like electricity, water, heating, natural gas, and sometimes internet or cable. In New Brunswick, who pays for which utilities depends on your rental agreement. These details should always be outlined in your lease.

• Electricity: Usually supplied by NB Power (NB Power website).
• Water & Sewer: Typically managed by your municipality. Verify if water is included in your rent or requires you to set up an account.
• Heating: Heat may be electric, oil, natural gas, or propane. Check if heat is included—this is especially important during NB’s long winters.
• Internet and Cable: Usually the tenant’s responsibility. Compare providers for best deals.

Review your lease carefully so you know which services you're responsible for and which are included. For more on typical move-in steps, see Essential Tips for Tenants When Moving Into a New Rental Home.

Typical Utility Setup Checklist

• Review your written lease and clarify who pays for each utility.
• Contact the relevant providers before move-in to set up accounts in your name if needed.
• Take meter readings for electricity, gas, and water on move-in day.
• Keep copies of all receipts, agreements, and correspondence.
• Pay deposits if required (see advice on Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know).

What Should Be Outlined in Your Lease?

Your rental agreement should specify:

• Which utilities are included in your rent
• Which utilities you must arrange and pay for
• Any shared services (like shared laundry or shared meters)
• Who is responsible for connecting, disconnecting, and maintaining services

If you’re unsure, ask your landlord for clarification in writing before signing. For details on lease rights, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick.

Common Utility Arrangements

In New Brunswick, leases often use one of these structures:

• All-inclusive: Rent covers all utilities (sometimes including internet/cable).
• Partial-inclusive: Some utilities are included; tenants handle the rest.
• Tenant-paid utilities: All utilities must be arranged and paid by the tenant.

Make sure your rental unit has safe, working utilities on move-in. Health or safety risks (like lack of heat in winter) could violate tenant protection laws. See Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting for more details.

Key Provincial Forms and Steps for New Brunswick Tenants

Some utility and service issues—like a landlord failing to provide heat or water—may require you to submit official forms. In New Brunswick, residential tenancies are overseen by the Residential Tenancies Tribunal (Service New Brunswick).

• Form 6: Notice to a Landlord of Failure to Meet Obligations

When to use: If your landlord fails to maintain proper utilities (like heat or water) as required by law or lease.

How to use: Complete Form 6 and submit it to the Tribunal. For example, if you move in and discover the heat does not work (and your lease says it's included), use this form to formally notify your landlord and Service New Brunswick.

All forms and instructions are found on the official Service New Brunswick rent forms page.
Relevant legislation: Residential Tenancies Act (New Brunswick).^[1]

Other Important Utility Considerations

• Some services (garbage collection, recycling) may be municipal—ask your landlord or municipal office if you have questions.
• If utilities are in your landlord’s name, ask how billing and payments work.
• Keep up with bills to avoid service shutoff, which can result in added fees or even eviction.
• Before moving out, arrange for final meter readings and account closure as needed.

For an easy way to search for your next rental with all-inclusive utilities, Browse apartments for rent in Canada on Houseme.

FAQ: New Brunswick Utilities & Services – Tenants

1. Can my landlord cut off my utilities if I’m late on rent?
   No—landlords cannot cut off your heat, water, or other essential services for late payment. They must follow New Brunswick’s eviction procedures under the Residential Tenancies Act.
2. Who pays for heat and electricity in my rental?
   This depends on your lease. It must clearly state which party is responsible. Ask for clarification if it’s not obvious.
3. What should I do if my utilities are not working on move-in day?
   Notify your landlord immediately, document the issue, and if not resolved quickly, contact Service New Brunswick and consider submitting a Notice to a Landlord of Failure to Meet Obligations (Form 6).
4. Do I need to pay a deposit for utility accounts?
   Some utility providers may require deposits for new accounts. This is separate from your rental deposit.
5. Where can I get help if I have a dispute about utility charges?
   You can contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal (Service New Brunswick) for help with rental disputes.

How To: Set Up Utilities as a New Brunswick Tenant

1. How do I set up electricity in my new rental?
   Contact NB Power at least a week before move-in to create an account and schedule your start date.
2. What are the steps to transfer water or sewer services?
   Reach out to your local municipality for water/sewer account setup if required. Some landlords manage these services themselves.
3. How do I make sure all utilities are working at move-in?
   Take photos of meters, record readings, and test all major appliances on your move-in day. Report any issues immediately to your landlord in writing.
4. How do I resolve a problem with utility billing or service interruptions?
   Start with your landlord if utilities are included. For unresolved issues, submit Form 6 to Service New Brunswick and keep evidence of all communications.

Key Takeaways for New Brunswick Tenants

• Check your lease for clear responsibility of all utilities.
• Set up services in advance and document all communications and meter readings.
• If problems occur, use official forms and contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal promptly.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancies Tribunal/Service New Brunswick – Tenancy disputes, forms, and advice
• Residential Tenancies Act (New Brunswick)
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick
• Contact your city or town hall for local utility services
• Utility provider customer service lines for billing/account issues

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1. [1] Residential Tenancies Act (New Brunswick)
2. Forms and guidance: Service New Brunswick rent forms
3. Tenancy tribunal: Residential Tenancies Tribunal

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