If you're a tenant in New Brunswick and your landlord tries to raise your rent soon after you make a complaint—such as about repairs, safety, or your living conditions—it's normal to feel stressed. Fortunately, the law protects you from unfair or retaliatory rent increases. Understanding your options, rights, and step-by-step actions can help you respond with confidence.
Why Would a Landlord Raise Rent After a Complaint?
Tenants may sometimes experience a rent increase after reporting a problem, such as requesting repairs or addressing safety issues. While rent increases can be legal if done correctly, they cannot be used as punishment for exercising your rights as a tenant or for making a complaint to your landlord or the authorities.
Are Retaliatory Rent Increases Legal in New Brunswick?
No. Under the Residential Tenancies Act of New Brunswick, landlords are not permitted to raise your rent because you made a good-faith complaint, enforced your rights, or participated in an investigation.[1] The New Brunswick Residential Tenancies Tribunal can review situations where tenants suspect a rent increase is retaliatory (done to "get back" at a tenant for asserting their rights).
Steps to Take if You Suspect a Retaliatory Rent Increase
If your rent is raised shortly after a complaint or report, here’s what you should do:
- Document everything: Record when you made your complaint, to whom, and what was said or written. Keep copies of all communication.
- Carefully review the rent increase notice: In New Brunswick, landlords must give at least three months’ written notice for rent increases (one month if you rent by the week).
- Compare timelines: If the rent increase happens soon after your complaint, you may have grounds to challenge it as retaliatory.
- Submit an Application for Assistance: If you believe the rent increase is unfair or against the law, file an Application for Assistance (Form 3) with the Residential Tenancies Tribunal.
- Contact the Tribunal: The Tribunal can mediate, investigate, or issue a binding ruling.
Which Forms Should Tenants Use?
- Form 3: Application for Assistance
When to use: If you want the Tribunal to review a rent increase you believe is retaliatory, use this form.
Download Form 3: Application for Assistance (PDF) from the government website.
Example: Jasmine made a complaint about recurring leaks to her landlord. Two weeks later, she received a rent increase notice. Jasmine kept all emails and submitted Form 3 to the Tribunal, explaining the timeline and reasons she suspects retaliation. The Tribunal investigated and took appropriate action.
Your Rights When Raising a Complaint
Tenants in New Brunswick have the right to contact their landlord for repairs, report maintenance or safety concerns, and file complaints with government authorities if necessary—without fear of punishment. For more on resolving issues, see How to Handle Complaints in Your Rental: A Tenant’s Guide.
How Are Legitimate Rent Increases Handled?
Not all rent increases are illegal or retaliatory. In New Brunswick:
- Your landlord must provide written notice at least three months before the new rent begins (one month for weekly tenancies).
- Rental increases can be made only once every 12 months unless otherwise agreed in writing.
- If you believe the amount is excessive or the motive is retaliatory, you may challenge it with the Tribunal within seven days of receiving the notice.
Learn more from Understanding Rent Increases: What Tenants Need to Know.
Where to Seek Help or File a Challenge
The New Brunswick Residential Tenancies Tribunal is the official government body for tenant-landlord issues. You can submit complaints, applications, or call for advice on your rights regarding rent increases, evictions, or complaints.
For a broad overview of local rules, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick.
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- What should I do if I receive a rent increase shortly after complaining about my rental unit?
If you suspect the increase is retaliation, document the details and file an Application for Assistance (Form 3) with the Residential Tenancies Tribunal within seven days of receiving the notice. - Are there rules for how often and by how much rent can be raised in New Brunswick?
Yes. Landlords must give at least three months' written notice and can only increase rent once every 12 months for the same tenant, unless a different arrangement is made in writing. - What is considered a retaliatory rent increase?
A retaliatory increase is when a landlord raises your rent because you made a complaint or exercised your legal rights as a tenant—this is not permitted by law. - What forms do I need to challenge a rent increase in New Brunswick?
You need to complete Form 3: Application for Assistance, available from the Tribunal’s official website. - Where can I get official support if I'm facing a rent increase I think is unfair?
The Residential Tenancies Tribunal provides advice, mediation, and formal decision-making for tenants and landlords across New Brunswick.
Need Help? Resources for Tenants
- New Brunswick Residential Tenancies Tribunal – Official Portal: Information on tenant and landlord rights, forms, and dispute resolution.
- Residential Tenancies Act of New Brunswick: Full-text legislation outlining tenant protections and rules.
- Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in New Brunswick: Comprehensive overview of regional tenant rights and landlord obligations.
- Local tenant advocacy services: Some municipalities offer legal aid and tenant support for free or at reduced cost.
