Maintenance and Repair Rights for Tenants in Newfoundland and Labrador

As a tenant in Newfoundland and Labrador, understanding your rights and responsibilities around repairs and maintenance can protect your comfort and wellbeing. Whether you're facing leaky plumbing, broken appliances, or heating problems, provincial laws ensure your rental home must be healthy, safe, and in good repair. This guide covers the essentials for tenants navigating maintenance issues and resolves common questions about who is responsible, how to request repairs, and what to do if problems persist.

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities for Repairs

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Residential Tenancies Act sets out clear obligations for landlords and tenants. Here's how duties are divided:

• Landlords must keep the rental unit in a good state of repair, fit for habitation, meeting health and safety standards—even if the lease says otherwise.
• Tenants are responsible for keeping their unit clean and for repairing any damage they or their guests cause through negligence or misuse.

Every rental home must meet minimum health and safety standards, including working plumbing, heating, and reliable locks. Learn more about the basics of your rights in Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Newfoundland and Labrador.

What Types of Maintenance Issues Are Covered?

Landlords are required to address:

• Heating and hot water failures
• Water leaks, structural issues, roof damage
• Broken appliances provided by the landlord (e.g., stove, fridge)
• Pest infestations (unless caused by the tenant's actions)
• Electrical or plumbing problems
• Window, door, or lock failures

Tenants are responsible for day-to-day cleaning and minor upkeep, but never for fixing normal wear and tear or larger system failures.

Requesting Repairs: How to Notify Your Landlord

When a repair is needed, the law requires you to let your landlord know as soon as possible. For non-urgent repairs, submit your request in writing (email or letter) and keep a copy for your records. Include details like:

• Date of request
• Description of the issue
• How the issue affects daily living (e.g., 'no heat in winter')

Emergency vs. Routine Repairs

Emergencies—such as no heat in winter, major leaks, or serious electrical problems—require prompt attention. For more details on urgent versus routine issues, see Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities and Routine Repairs in Rental Units: Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities.

If a repair is an emergency and the landlord cannot be reached or refuses to act, tenants may make the repair themselves and deduct reasonable costs from the rent—but only after giving the landlord notice and receipts. Always check the legislation or contact the Residential Tenancies Office for guidance before proceeding.

What If the Landlord Doesn’t Make Repairs?

If your landlord fails to respond after reasonable notice:

• Follow up with a second, dated written request
• Document the problem with photos or videos
• Keep a log of your communication attempts

If repairs are still not made, you can formally apply to the Residential Tenancies Office (see process below) for an order requiring the landlord to complete the work or for a rent reduction.

Relevant Application Forms

• Application for Orders (Form 6) – Use this to request that the landlord complete repairs, provide compensation, or order a rent reduction if your health, safety, or enjoyment is impacted. Download from the NL Residential Tenancies Office forms portal.
  • How it works: Submit Form 6 if the landlord refuses or neglects repairs after written notice. Example: You have recurring mold due to leaks and landlord hasn’t fixed it after repeated requests.

Health and Safety: Your Right to a Safe Home

The law protects tenants’ health and safety. If a repair (like mold or faulty wiring) presents a danger, the landlord must act quicker. For more details, read Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

If your rental is not fit to live in, you may have the right to end your lease early or apply for a rent reduction—consult the Residential Tenancies Office first.

Need More Support?

If you are facing repeated repair issues, damage disputes, or unresponsive landlords, you may want to understand more about your rights after moving in by reviewing Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

To compare your rights with those in other provinces or to look up details, find Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ready to find a new home? Map-based rental search across Canada makes finding your next rental easier than ever.

FAQ: Maintenance and Repairs for NL Tenants

1. Can my landlord make me pay for repairs? In general, only if you or your guests caused the damage. Otherwise, repairs due to normal wear, age, or landlord-provided appliances are the landlord's responsibility.
2. What should I do if my landlord ignores urgent repairs? For emergencies, document the issue, try contacting your landlord again immediately, and call the Residential Tenancies Office if they remain unreachable. You may be able to make the repair yourself and deduct reasonable costs from the rent with proper notice and documentation.
3. Can I withhold rent if my landlord hasn’t fixed something? No, you must continue paying rent. Instead, apply to the Residential Tenancies Office for a repair or rent reduction order.
4. How quickly must landlords fix problems? Emergencies (like heat in winter) should be fixed as soon as possible. Other repairs must be addressed in a reasonable time; typically, within 7-14 days for non-urgent issues.
5. Does the landlord have to do regular inspections? Yes, but they must give proper notice (24 hours), except in emergencies.

How-To: Getting Repairs Made in Newfoundland and Labrador

1. How do I request a repair from my landlord? Report the problem to your landlord in writing, describing the issue and potential risks. Keep copies for your records.
2. How do I apply to the Residential Tenancies Office for repairs? Complete Application for Orders (Form 6) available online, attach documentation, and submit to the Residential Tenancies Office. You'll be notified of your hearing date and can present your evidence there.
3. What if I need to do the repair myself? For emergencies only: give the landlord reasonable notice, save detailed receipts, and submit documentation with your rent payment for reimbursement.

Key Takeaways

• Landlords in Newfoundland and Labrador must provide safe, well-maintained rental homes and fix major repairs in a reasonable time.
• Submit all repair requests in writing and keep records to protect your rights if issues persist.
• For unresolved problems, use official application forms to request repairs or rent reductions.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancies Office of Newfoundland and Labrador – tenancy information, complaint process, forms, and dispute resolution
• Forms (e.g., Application for Orders Form 6): Official Forms and Applications
• Tenant advocacy: CMHC Newfoundland and Labrador Tenant Rights Info

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1. Residential Tenancies Act, SNL 2018, c R-14.1. Read the Residential Tenancies Act
2. Residential Tenancies Office of Newfoundland and Labrador. Official RTO Website
3. CMHC Rental Rights for Tenants in Newfoundland and Labrador. Learn more at CMHC

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