Living with roommates in New Brunswick can bring great savings and companionship, but noise and unclear quiet hours often cause stress for tenants and landlords alike. This guide explains how quiet hours typically work in shared housing, what rights and responsibilities tenants have under New Brunswick tenancy rules, and practical steps to resolve noisy neighbours without escalation. You’ll find advice on documenting disturbances, communicating with roommates and the landlord, and when to use formal notices or file an application with the Residential Tenancies Tribunal. Where forms or deadlines apply, the article explains how to complete them and what to expect at a hearing. The goal is to help renters keep a peaceful home while protecting their legal rights.
Understanding noise rules in New Brunswick
Tenancy rules in New Brunswick give tenants the right to reasonable quiet enjoyment of their unit while allowing normal, lawful use by roommates and visitors. Landlords and tenants share responsibilities under provincial legislation [1], and formal disputes about noise are decided by the Residential Tenancies Tribunal [2]. This section outlines typical expectations in shared housing, how to document problems, and when a matter should be escalated to a formal complaint.
What counts as unreasonable noise
Not every sound is a legal problem. Unreasonable noise usually means repeated or severe disturbances that stop you from sleeping, studying, working, or using your home in a normal way.
- Quiet hours often cover late evening and overnight times in many buildings.
- Continuous loud parties, amplified music, or persistent disturbance that interferes with sleep or work can be unreasonable.
- Documented disturbance logs, photos or recordings increase the strength of a complaint when it is reviewed.
How to address noise with roommates and landlords
Start with a calm conversation: most noise issues begin with miscommunication. Explain the impact, suggest quiet hours that respect everyone's schedules, and agree on simple rules. If talking does not work, raise the issue with the landlord in writing and keep copies. For guidance on making and managing complaints, see How to Handle Complaints in Your Rental: A Tenant's Guide. For clarity on roles and responsibilities, review Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.
- Speak privately with the noisy roommate first and agree a reasonable schedule.
- If the problem continues, send a written note or email to the roommate and copy the landlord.
- Keep evidence: dated logs, messages, photos or audio of repeated disturbances.
- If informal steps fail, consider mediation or a formal application to the Tribunal.
If you consider moving as a last resort, you can also Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme to compare options while you resolve tenancy issues.
How to file a formal complaint
If you file a formal application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal, include the facts, dates, copies of written warnings, and your disturbance log. The usual process is: try informal resolution, send a written notice to the person causing the noise and the landlord, and when necessary complete and submit the Tribunal application form [3]. The Tribunal will set a hearing date and may order remedies such as enforcing quiet enjoyment or, in some cases, termination of tenancy for persistent breaches.
FAQ
- Can my landlord set quiet hours in a shared house?
- Yes. Landlords can set reasonable quiet hours in rules or policies, but rules must be reasonable, communicated to tenants, and enforced consistently. Tenants still have protections under provincial tenancy law when rules are applied unfairly.
- What if a roommate is constantly noisy late at night?
- Start by documenting and speaking to them. If that does not work, send a written notice to the roommate and landlord, keep records of the disturbances, and consider applying to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal if the problem continues.
- How do I file with the Residential Tenancies Tribunal?
- Collect evidence, complete the official Tribunal application form, pay any required fee if applicable, and submit to the Tribunal. The Tribunal will schedule a hearing where both sides can present evidence and witnesses.
How-To
- Document each noise incident with date, time, description and any photos or recordings.
- Talk to the roommate respectfully and explain the impact; propose quiet hours that work for everyone.
- Send a written notice to the roommate and landlord describing the problem and the steps you have requested.
- If unresolved, complete and submit the Tribunal application form with your evidence and attend the hearing.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Tribunal (hearings and forms)
- Residential Tenancies Act (legislation and forms)
