Tenant Rights During Building Renovations in Newfoundland and Labrador

If you rent a home in Newfoundland and Labrador, it's important to know your rights and protections if your landlord wishes to renovate the building you live in. Renovations might improve your living space, but they can also create disruption, noise, or even temporary loss of access to your unit. This guide outlines what you need to know, the provincial laws that apply, and how you can act if you believe your rights aren't being respected.

Which Laws Protect Tenants in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Tenants and landlords in Newfoundland and Labrador are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), which covers building renovations, repairs, and entry rules[1]. The Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) is the main tribunal overseeing disputes and applications under the Act.

When Your Landlord Wants to Renovate

Landlords sometimes need to renovate a unit or building, either for routine maintenance or substantial upgrades. As a tenant, you have specific rights depending on the scale and purpose of the renovation:

• Routine or minor repairs: Landlords must give you at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering your unit, except in emergencies.
• Major renovations (requiring you to move out): You can only be asked to leave if the work is so extensive your unit cannot be lived in during the process.
• Renoviction (eviction for renovations): Landlords must provide valid legal notice and comply with strict rules.

Notice Requirements for Renovation-Related Evictions

If your landlord wants you to vacate your rental due to major renovations, they must serve you a written notice with the appropriate form—usually the official "Notice to Terminate – Renovation" (no formal number, but available from the Residential Tenancies official forms page). For fixed-term and month-to-month leases, landlords must give at least three months’ written notice before the termination date, unless both parties agree to a different timeframe[2].

Your Rights During the Renovation Process

• You cannot be evicted simply for minor or cosmetic renovations.
• The landlord must minimize disruption and ensure that your home remains safe and healthy during the work.
• Landlords may not threaten or harass tenants to leave for renovations.

Health and Safety During Renovations

Landlords have a duty to maintain safe and healthy conditions in your rental, even during construction. If renovations cause dangerous living conditions—such as mold, asbestos exposure, or no access to water—you have the right to request temporary accommodations or a rent reduction. For more on this topic, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

What If You Disagree With the Renovation or Need to Challenge the Notice?

If you believe your landlord’s eviction notice is not valid or that the renovations do not require you to vacate, you can file an application for dispute with the Office of Residential Tenancies. Access the "Application for Dispute" form here. Use this process to challenge the notice or seek compensation for unreasonable disruptions or costs.

Routine Repairs vs. Major Renovations

Many repairs won’t disrupt your tenancy or require you to move out. Understand the difference between routine, regular repairs—where you have a right to reasonable enjoyment—and major renovations that may be grounds for ending a tenancy under the law. Learn more about these obligations on Routine Repairs in Rental Units: Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities.

For additional rights that affect all rental situations in this province, check Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Your Deposit and Moving Out

If you are required to move out due to a renovation, you are entitled to your full security deposit—plus interest, if applicable—once you leave and the unit is inspected. For steps to recover your deposit, see How to Get Your Security Deposit Back with Interest When Moving Out.

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FAQ: Renovations and Tenant Rights in Newfoundland and Labrador

1. Can my landlord force me to move out for renovations? Only if the work is so extensive that the unit can't be lived in during the process. Proper notice—a minimum of three months—must be given, and the reason must be genuine.
2. What form does my landlord need to give me? A written Notice to Terminate – Renovation, found on the government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s website.
3. Who do I contact if I disagree with the notice? File a dispute with the Office of Residential Tenancies. Use the "Application for Dispute" form.
4. Do I get compensation if I have to move out? The Act doesn't guarantee compensation for moving, but you are entitled to your security deposit back and should ask about other supports if affected.
5. Can my rent be raised after renovations? A new tenancy can be started for the renovated unit, but existing tenants moving back in should consult the Act and local rules for rent increases. See Understanding Rent Increases: What Tenants Need to Know.

Key Takeaways

• You have the right to receive proper notice and a valid reason if your landlord asks you to move out for renovations.
• Get everything in writing and keep all communications and documents.
• If you disagree with a notice or feel your rights are being violated, file a dispute with the Office of Residential Tenancies as soon as possible.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) — Official government resource for forms, complaints, and information.
• Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland and Labrador — Free tenant legal information and support.
• Residential Tenancies Official Forms — All tenancy forms, including notices and dispute applications.

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1. [1] Residential Tenancies Act (Newfoundland and Labrador)
2. [2] Official Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Rental Forms

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