Who is responsible for major appliances?
Start by checking the rental agreement and any move-in inspection record. An appliance supplied by the landlord is normally part of the rented premises, so the landlord should maintain it unless the agreement clearly assigns a lawful responsibility to the tenant. A tenant-owned appliance is usually the tenant's responsibility, subject to building rules and safety requirements.
New Brunswick's Residential Tenancies Act sets the legal framework for residential rentals, including the landlord's duty to maintain the premises. The Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained guide provides broader information about shared duties.
- Landlords should arrange repairs or replacement for landlord-supplied appliances that fail through ordinary wear, age, or a mechanical defect.
- Tenants should use appliances normally, follow reasonable operating instructions, and report damage or malfunction as soon as possible.
- Neither party should disable a safety feature, create a hazardous condition, or ignore a known risk.
What counts as a landlord repair?
Common landlord responsibilities include repairing a refrigerator that no longer keeps food cold, a stove that will not heat, or a supplied washer that stops working without tenant misuse. If an appliance creates a fire, electrical, gas, water, or carbon monoxide risk, treat the issue as urgent. Do not continue using it if doing so could cause harm.
Heating equipment and other systems connected to the building may involve additional maintenance duties. For practical repair guidance, see Routine Repairs in Rental Units: Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities. A landlord may choose to repair rather than replace an appliance, provided the result is timely and reasonably restores the service promised by the tenancy.
If the appliance was listed in the agreement or supplied when you moved in, do not assume that the landlord can remove it or charge a new fee simply because it needs maintenance. Ask for the proposed change in writing and keep the response.
When might a tenant be responsible?
A tenant may be responsible for the cost of damage caused by careless, intentional, or unreasonable use, rather than ordinary breakdown. Examples can include forcing controls, overloading a machine after warnings, failing to report a leak that becomes worse, or allowing an unauthorized person to damage the appliance. The landlord should be able to explain the claimed cost and connect it to the tenant's conduct.
- Read the appliance instructions and follow any reasonable building rules before operating unfamiliar equipment.
- Keep photographs, messages, service reports, and receipts that show the appliance's condition and the steps taken.
- Do not agree to a repair charge or deduction without asking for an itemized explanation and checking the rental agreement.
What to do when an appliance breaks
Notify the landlord or property manager promptly in writing. Describe the appliance, the symptoms, when the problem began, and whether there is a safety concern. Request a repair appointment and explain any practical impact, such as spoiled food, lack of cooking facilities, or water damage. Keep copies of every message.
Give reasonable access for diagnosis and repair after receiving proper information about the visit. A tenant should not unreasonably block access, but the landlord should respect privacy and arrange entry in accordance with New Brunswick rules. If the issue is urgent, use the landlord's emergency contact method and call emergency services when there is immediate danger.
If the landlord does not respond, send a clear follow-up notice. You can contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal of New Brunswick for information about dispute-resolution options. Avoid withholding rent or hiring an expensive contractor and deducting the bill unless you have confirmed that the law and the circumstances permit that step.
Evidence and appliance disputes
Good records can help show whether a problem resulted from normal wear, a manufacturing failure, or misuse. Record the date you noticed the issue, the date you reported it, the landlord's response, and the dates of attempted repairs. Photograph error messages, leaks, damaged parts, and the surrounding area, while avoiding unsafe testing.
- Save the relevant lease pages, inspection report, appliance instructions, and service communications.
- Take dated photos or videos when they safely show the condition.
- Keep repair requests, notices, invoices, and any tribunal application materials together.
Official forms and dispute resolution in New Brunswick
New Brunswick does not generally provide a special appliance-repair form. For a formal dispute, use the Residential Tenancies Tribunal's current application or complaint process and follow its filing instructions. The application is appropriate when, for example, a tenant has repeatedly reported a landlord-supplied refrigerator failure and needs an order or other remedy after reasonable attempts to resolve the issue. Confirm the current form name, delivery method, fee information, and supporting-document requirements directly with the Tribunal before filing.
Include the tenancy agreement, repair requests, photographs, inspection records, receipts, and a short timeline. The Tribunal may require notice to the other party and may set deadlines for evidence or a hearing. Do not ignore a notice, scheduled appointment, or tribunal direction.
FAQ
- Is a landlord responsible for a refrigerator supplied with the rental?
- Usually, the landlord should maintain a supplied refrigerator unless the rental agreement lawfully assigns a different responsibility or the tenant caused the damage through unreasonable use.
- Can a tenant repair a broken appliance and deduct the cost from rent?
- Do not deduct a repair cost from rent without confirming that New Brunswick law and the specific circumstances allow it, because an improper deduction can create a rent arrears dispute.
- What should I do if an appliance is dangerous?
- Stop using it, move away from immediate danger, contact emergency services when necessary, and notify the landlord promptly through the fastest available method.
- What evidence should I keep?
- Keep the lease, inspection records, dated photographs, messages, repair reports, receipts, and a timeline showing when you reported the problem and how it was handled.
How-To
- Document the appliance problem with a dated description, photographs, and any safe-to-record error message.
- Send the landlord a written repair request that explains the symptoms, safety concerns, and impact on the rental.
- Agree on reasonable access and keep a record of appointments, missed visits, and temporary measures.
- Contact the Residential Tenancies Tribunal and follow its current application, notice, evidence, and hearing instructions if the dispute remains unresolved.
Key Takeaways
- Landlords generally maintain landlord-supplied appliances that fail through ordinary wear or defects.
- Tenants should report problems promptly and provide reasonable access for repairs.
- Written records and dated evidence help clarify responsibility and delay.
- Use official New Brunswick tenancy resources before taking steps that could affect rent or possession.
When searching for a different rental after an appliance dispute, you can Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme and compare available listings.
Help and Support / Resources
- Residential Tenancies Tribunal of New Brunswick for tenancy information and dispute-resolution guidance.
- New Brunswick landlord and tenant forms and services for current applications and instructions.
- Residential Tenancies Act for the governing provincial legislation.
