How Much Notice Must a Landlord Give for a Rent Increase in NB?

A letter from your landlord says the rent is going up. Before you decide what to do, it helps to know whether the notice follows the rules. Timing, form and the size of the increase all matter.

This article explains the notice period under New Brunswick's Residential Tenancies Act, the limits on when and how much rent can rise, and the steps open to you if the notice looks wrong. It is general information, not advice on your particular situation.

This article covers the law of New Brunswick.

The basic rule: six months' written notice

A landlord in New Brunswick cannot increase the rent unless the landlord gives the tenant six months' notice. The notice must be written. It must also be a separate document, dated and signed by the landlord or the landlord's agent.

The notice must state your current rent, the new rent and the date the increase takes effect. A line tucked into another letter, or a verbal heads-up, does not match that description.

Can rent go up in the first year?

Unless you and the landlord agree otherwise in writing, a landlord cannot increase rent during the first consecutive 12-month period of a tenancy. After that, the landlord may increase rent no more than once in any consecutive 12-month period.

Because these limits can be varied by written agreement, check what your lease says before assuming the increase is not allowed. If you signed something agreeing to different terms, that may change the answer.

How much can the rent go up?

A landlord must not increase rent by more than 3% effective at any time on or after February 1, 2025. A notice asking for more than 3% is deemed to be a notice of 3%. In June 2026 the government announced the cap stays at 3% for 2027.

A landlord can apply to a residential tenancies officer for an increase above 3%. The officer may approve it in whole or in part, up to an upper limit set by regulation, which is tied to renovation capital expenditures. Sources describe that limit as 9%, though the numbering of the provision differs between sources, so it is worth confirming the current figure.

Other situations to watch for

• Mobile home sites: increases must be the same percentage across the community or area.
• Retaliation: an increase notice given after you make a complaint is prohibited under section 11.2 of the Act.
• Higher requests: a landlord seeking more than 3% must apply to a residential tenancies officer rather than simply stating a larger number.

What to do if the notice is defective or looks wrong

You can ask a residential tenancies officer to review a rent increase notice within 60 days of receiving it. There is no fee, and you must include a copy of the notice. Because of that deadline, do not wait to act.

• Note the date you received the notice and keep the original.
• Check that it is separate, dated, signed, and shows current rent, new rent and effective date.
• Count whether six months' notice was given before the effective date.
• Work out the percentage increase and compare it with the 3% cap.
• Check your lease for any written agreement on first-year or frequency limits.
• Send your review request with a copy of the notice within 60 days.

Next steps

Keep paying your current rent under your existing terms while you sort out whether the notice is valid, and keep copies of everything. If the situation is complicated, for example the landlord is seeking more than 3% or you suspect the notice followed a complaint you made, a lawyer can review your documents and explain your options.

Frequently asked questions