Can my landlord ask for details about my disability?

Your landlord can only ask for enough information to confirm you have a disability and how a requested accommodation relates to your needs. They cannot ask for your diagnosis or unrelated private information.

Do I have to pay for accessibility modifications?

You may be responsible for minor modifications unless your landlord is required by law to provide them. Discuss who pays with your landlord.

What should I do if my landlord won’t accommodate my needs?

Contact the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission or the Residential Tenancies Tribunal to discuss your options and make a formal complaint if necessary.

Requesting Reasonable Housing Accommodations in New Brunswick

Mental Health & Tenancy New Brunswick published June 19, 2025

If you are a tenant in New Brunswick living with a mental health condition or disability, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations in your rental home. These adjustments can help you live safely and comfortably, supporting your health and well-being. Understanding your rights as a tenant—and knowing how to take practical steps to get the accommodations you need—will set you up for success and help prevent disputes with your landlord.

What Are Reasonable Housing Accommodations?

Reasonable accommodations are changes to your living environment or rental policies that allow people with disabilities or mental health conditions to fully use and enjoy their home. These might include:

Permission to keep a service animal, even if the building has a no-pet policy
Allowing a support person to regularly visit
Minor modifications to your unit (such as grab bars or smoke detector alarms for hearing impairment)
Flexibility with certain rules, if they impact your ability to manage your health

New Brunswick’s law prohibits discrimination in housing due to mental or physical disability. As a tenant, you are protected by the Human Rights Act of New Brunswick and the Residential Tenancies Act.^[1][2]

Who Can Request an Accommodation?

Any tenant who has a disability—this includes conditions affecting your mental health—can make a formal request. You do not need to disclose your entire diagnosis, but you may be asked to provide medical documentation showing (1) that you have a disability, and (2) the accommodation requested is related to your needs.

How to Request an Accommodation: Steps for Tenants

Making a request doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by being clear about your needs and communicating politely with your landlord. Here are the basic steps to follow:

Step 1: Identify your needs—What change would help you fully enjoy your home?
Step 2: Prepare supporting documentation—A note or letter from a licensed medical professional explaining why the accommodation is necessary (they do not need to state your diagnosis unless you wish).
Step 3: Make your request in writing—Include the facts, your specific request, and any attached medical documentation. Keep a copy for your records in case you need to show that you made the request later.
Step 4: Allow your landlord reasonable time to respond—Landlords are required to accommodate unless it causes them "undue hardship" (such as major cost or serious safety problems).
Step 5: If denied, contact the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission or Residential Tenancies Tribunal (see resources below).

Official Forms and Where to Find Them

While there is no specific government form for requesting accommodation in New Brunswick, you can make a written request by letter or by using the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission’s Complaint Form if you believe you have been denied your rights. This form is used to file a complaint if your landlord refuses to provide a required accommodation.

Name: New Brunswick Human Rights Commission Complaint Form
When to use: If your landlord refuses an accommodation, refuses to engage in discussion, or retaliates against you
How to use: Fill out, attach documentation, and submit by mail or online as directed on the form
Official link: Download the Complaint Form

What Landlords Can and Cannot Do

Landlords in New Brunswick cannot deny housing or evict you because of your mental health or disability. They cannot refuse your reasonable accommodation request unless it would cause them significant hardship ("undue hardship"). Common reasons for refusal include major costs or health and safety issues that cannot reasonably be resolved.

If an accommodation has an impact on health or safety for others, reasonable alternatives should be discussed. Your landlord may ask for more information, but cannot ask for information that is too private or unrelated to your accommodation.

If your accommodation involves a health or safety concern, you may also wish to read Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting for tips on maintaining safe rental housing.

What to Do If Problems Arise

If your landlord refuses your request, ignores it, or if you face retaliation (like eviction notices or harassment), you have options:

Document all communication
Seek advice from tenant support organizations (see resources below)
File a complaint with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission or contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for guidance

For more about overall tenant rights in the province, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick.

It is also important for tenants to understand their ongoing responsibilities. You have the same obligations as other tenants regarding cleanliness, payment of rent, and respect for other tenants. For a refresher, you can review Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Browse apartments for rent in Canada or Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme if you need a new start with a different landlord or building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my landlord ask for details about my disability?
They may ask for information to confirm that you have a disability or mental health condition, and how your request relates to it—but not your specific diagnosis or very private medical details.
Do I have to pay for modifications for accessibility?
Tenants often pay for minor modifications (like a grab bar) unless the landlord is required by law to provide them. Discuss costs and who is responsible with your landlord.
What if my landlord refuses to accommodate me?
You can file a complaint with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission or contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal for dispute resolution.
Is my accommodation request confidential?
Yes. Information you provide should be kept confidential by your landlord.
Does my landlord have to allow a service or emotional support animal?
Generally, yes, even if there is a "no pets" policy, unless it causes undue hardship for the landlord or other tenants.

Key Takeaways

Tenants in New Brunswick with mental health or disability-related needs have the right to reasonable accommodation in housing.
Requests should be made in writing and supported by documentation if available.
Official complaints can be filed if a landlord refuses without justification.