Question 1

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental unit?

Accepted Answer

A landlord must give at least 24 hours written notice stating the time of entry, and must enter at a reasonable time. The Act does not require the notice to give a reason. There are two other routes in: in an emergency the landlord may enter without notice, and once notice of termination has been given the landlord may show the unit to a prospective tenant or purchaser at a reasonable time after making a reasonable effort to give at least 4 hours notice. (Section 10, Statutory Condition 5.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 2

What is the maximum security deposit a landlord can charge?

Accepted Answer

For a monthly or fixed-term tenancy a landlord may collect no more than 3/4 of the first month's rent. For a week-to-week tenancy the limit is the first two weeks' rent. Any money a landlord takes beyond the rent counts as part of the security deposit (s.14(2)), so a separate key, pet or damage deposit counts toward the same limit; if the total is over it, the tenant may deduct the overpayment from rent (s.14(3)). The landlord gives a written receipt stating the amount, the date and the premises (s.14(4)), and within 2 banking days puts the deposit in an interest-bearing account at a financial institution in the province (s.14(5)); a landlord with 3 or more rental premises must use a trust account used only for security deposits (s.14(6)). Interest is credited to the tenant at the rate set under the Security Deposit Interest Regulations (s.14(7)); the Director's published schedule lists 0% for 2026 and 1% for 2024 and 2025. (Section 14(1)–(7).) General information, not legal advice.

Question 3

When must a landlord return the security deposit after a tenant moves out?

Accepted Answer

Within 10 days after the tenant vacates, the landlord must return the full deposit, with the interest it has earned, unless the landlord has a claim against it. A claim does not by itself let the landlord keep anything. Under section 14(10) the landlord may keep part or all of the deposit only where the tenant agrees in writing to how it is disposed of, or where the landlord applies to the Director of Residential Tenancies under section 42 to decide it. If there is no written agreement and no application, the deposit goes back to the tenant in full. A list of deductions sent to the tenant is not a substitute for either. If the tenant applies first, the landlord has 10 days from being served with the tenant's application to make their own; a landlord who does not must return the deposit, and the Director may order its return without a hearing (s.14(11)–(13)). (Section 14(9)–(13).) General information, not legal advice.

Question 4

What late fees can a landlord charge for overdue rent?

Accepted Answer

Where rent is not paid on time, a landlord may charge a late payment fee in an amount set by the minister. The Act itself does not name a figure; the minister's figure is in Residential Tenancies Policy 07-007: $5 for the first day and $2 for each day after, to a maximum of $75 for an unbroken run of unpaid rent (one maximum for the run, not one per month: Policy 02-004 applies it "in any consecutive number of rental periods"). Rent due on the 1st is due by midnight that day, so the first late day is the 2nd (Policy 07-007). Set the fee out in the lease, and tell the tenant in writing when you charge it: in decision 26-0284-NL (2026) the tribunal allowed a late fee only from when the tenant became aware it had been assessed. Paying the overdue rent, including the fee, before the date in a notice for unpaid rent cancels that notice (s.19(2)). Separately, where a rent cheque is returned NSF, the landlord may charge the tenant the same fee the financial institution charged the landlord, and no more. (Section 15; Residential Tenancies Policy 07-007 (and 02-004); decision 26-0284-NL.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 5

Is there rent control in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Accepted Answer

No. Newfoundland and Labrador does not have rent control. A landlord may increase rent by any amount, provided proper notice is given as required by the Act. (Residential Tenancies Act, 2018.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 6

How much notice must a landlord give before increasing rent?

Accepted Answer

Written notice, at least 6 months before the increase takes effect for a monthly or fixed-term tenancy, and at least 8 weeks for a week-to-week tenancy. The increase takes effect on the first day of a rental period, the day rent is due. Rent may be increased no more than once in a 12-month period, and not at all during the first 12 months of the agreement; Residential Tenancies treats a new agreement with the same tenant for the same unit as one continuous tenancy, so those first 12 months run from the first agreement (Policy 13-001). There is no cap on the amount. The notice must be on the official form, signed, and must state the effective date, the amount of the increase, and the new rent (s.16(4), s.34), and the notice period counts from when it is served under section 35. One exception: where the landlord adds a service or benefit not provided before, such as a parking space, the landlord and tenant may agree in writing to an increase for it without this notice (s.16(7)). (Section 16(2) and 16(3).) General information, not legal advice.

Question 7

What are the grounds for evicting a tenant?

Accepted Answer

Two different things get called eviction here. A landlord may end a tenancy without giving a reason by serving notice under section 18 — 3 months for a monthly or fixed-term tenancy, 4 weeks week to week. Separately, the Act gives grounds for cause, each with its own steps. Unpaid rent (s.19): once rent is 5 days overdue (3 weekly), notice of not less than 10 days (3 weekly); paying in full, including any late fee, before the date cancels it, except from the third such notice in 12 months (s.19(2), (3)). A broken material term (s.20): first a written notice of the breach and a reasonable time to fix it; only then a notice given at least 1 month before the end of a rental period (7 days weekly), ending on the last day of a rental period. Premises not kept clean or damage (s.22): first a notice to comply; if the tenant does not comply within 3 days (or a reasonable time), a notice of not less than 5 days. Interfering with others' peaceful enjoyment (s.24): not less than 5 days. A tenant who makes the premises unfit for habitation (s.21(2)): notice effective immediately. Use the official form, and if the tenant does not leave, apply to the Director: only an order, enforced by the sheriff, can make them go. (Section 18, and Sections 19–24 for cause.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 8

Can a landlord prohibit pets in a rental unit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A landlord may include a no-pet clause in the rental agreement, and if the lease prohibits pets the tenant must comply with that term. A no-pet clause does not apply to a service animal owned or used by a person with a disability (Service Animal Act s.5(2)), and no fee may be charged for one (s.6). Note that the Act itself is silent on pets — none of the statutory conditions in section 10 addresses them, so this rests on the terms of the agreement rather than on a section of the Act. (Agreement term — not addressed by the Act; service animals: Service Animal Act s.5(2).) General information, not legal advice.

Question 9

What are the landlord's maintenance obligations?

Accepted Answer

The landlord is required to keep the rental premises in a good state of repair and fit for habitation, and must comply with all health, safety, and housing standards required by law. This obligation applies regardless of whether the tenant was aware of any issues at the time of entering the lease. (Section 10, Statutory Condition 1.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 10

Can a tenant withhold rent if repairs are not made?

Accepted Answer

Not for repairs. A tenant who withholds rent to force repairs is simply in arrears; the route is an application to the director for an order requiring the landlord to do the work. There is one narrow case where the Act does suspend rent, and it is unrelated to repairs: where the landlord has failed to give the tenant a copy of the signed rental agreement, section 7(4) suspends the obligation to pay rent until the landlord provides it. Even then the rent is not forgiven: once the landlord complies, the tenant pays all the rent withheld (s.7(5)). (Section 42 (application to the director); Section 7(4)–(5).) General information, not legal advice.

Question 11

What happens to property a tenant leaves behind after moving out?

Accepted Answer

The landlord must store it safely, either by removing it to safe storage or storing it on the premises, and must keep it for at least 30 days. An inventory goes to the director at the earliest reasonable opportunity, and to the tenant if the tenant can be located. The landlord cannot simply dispose of it: that requires the director's authorization, which is given where the property has no monetary value, where storage or sale would cost more than it is worth, or where storing it would be unsanitary or unsafe. A tenant who reclaims the property within the 30 days pays the landlord's reasonable removal and storage costs. (Section 32.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 12

Can a tenant sublet or assign their lease?

Accepted Answer

A tenant may assign or sublet with the landlord's written consent, and the landlord shall not arbitrarily or unreasonably withhold that consent. The landlord also may not charge for giving consent beyond the expenses actually incurred in giving it. (Section 10, Statutory Condition 3.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 13

Can a landlord or tenant change the locks on a rental unit?

Accepted Answer

Except by mutual consent, neither the landlord nor the tenant may alter a lock or locking system on a door giving entry to the unit while the tenant is living there. The Act stops at that — it does not go on to give either side a right to a key, so if a lock is being changed by agreement, settle the key question in that agreement. (Section 10, Statutory Condition 6.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 14

How must notices be served under the Act?

Accepted Answer

The Act allows several methods, not just two: personally; to someone 16 or older who apparently lives there; posted in a conspicuous place; left in the mailbox or under the door; by prepaid registered mail or express post, or by courier, to an address the tenant provided or where the tenant carries on business; or electronically. Electronic service counts only where all three hold: the notice is in the same or substantially the same form as the written notice (in practice, the signed official form itself, not a summary of it), the tenant has provided an electronic address for receipt of documents, and it is sent to that address. The Act does not define "electronic address". Email to an address the tenant gave you for documents is the clear case; whether a phone number or Messenger account given for documents counts is not settled. The safe route is a method the Act clearly lists: in person, registered mail or courier to an address the tenant provided, or email to the address the tenant gave for documents. A casual text or portal message is not notice. If reasonable efforts to serve by these methods fail, the Director can order another method (s.35(4)). Timing differs by method — registered mail or express post is considered served on the fifth day after mailing, while an electronic notice is considered served the day it is sent if sent by 4 p.m., and otherwise the next day that is not a Saturday or holiday (every Sunday is a holiday). (Section 35(2), (4), (5), (6).) General information, not legal advice.

Question 15

Where can I get help with a landlord-tenant dispute?

Accepted Answer

Contact Residential Tenancies at the Department of Government Services (formerly Service NL). They provide information about rights and obligations and mediate disputes, and the Director of Residential Tenancies decides applications for dispute resolution and issues binding orders. You can reach them toll-free within NL at 1-877-829-2608, at 709-729-2608, or by email at landlordtenant@gov.nl.ca. (Residential Tenancies Section, Department of Government Services; Section 42.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 16

Can a landlord increase rent during a fixed-term lease?

Accepted Answer

No. Rent may not be increased during the term of a fixed-term agreement. This one is not negotiable by contract — section 16 opens with "notwithstanding another Act, agreement, declaration, waiver or statement to the contrary", so a clause in the lease purporting to allow a mid-term increase does not make it lawful. The one narrow exception is s.16(7): where the landlord adds a service or benefit not provided before, such as a parking space, the landlord and tenant may agree in writing to an increase for it. (Section 16(1)(b); Section 16(7).) General information, not legal advice.

Question 17

What can a landlord do if a tenant refuses to leave after the lease expires?

Accepted Answer

First check whether the tenancy actually ended. Where a tenant stays on after a fixed term expires and no notice of termination was given, the tenancy does not end — it continues on the same terms and must then be terminated by notice. Where notice was given, the tenancy continues until the notice period expires. If the tenant is still there after that, the landlord applies to the director for an order. A landlord should never remove the tenant or their belongings without one. (Section 8(3), Section 18, Section 42.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 18

Is a landlord required to provide rent receipts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on request: a landlord must give the tenant a receipt for rent or other money paid in relation to the premises. The Act does not list what the receipt must say. It does require the landlord to keep a complete, up-to-date record of rent and other money received, identifying the tenant and the premises it relates to. A receipt showing the amount, the date received, the period it is for and the address is good practice. (Section 17(1)–(3).) General information, not legal advice.

Question 19

Can a landlord prohibit smoking in a rental unit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A landlord may include a no-smoking clause in the rental agreement that covers both tobacco and cannabis (and may restrict growing cannabis too). If the lease prohibits smoking, the tenant must comply with that term. A landlord cannot add the clause to an existing agreement alone: it takes the tenant's agreement, or a new agreement after the old one has been ended by proper notice. Whether medical cannabis must be accommodated is a question under the Human Rights Act, 2010, for the Human Rights Commission. (Agreement term — not addressed by the Act.) General information, not legal advice.

Question 20

What must be included in a written rental agreement?

Accepted Answer

An agreement should cover the names of the landlord and tenant, the address, the rent and when it is due, the term, any security deposit, and anything else agreed. What the Act actually requires is about handing it over: at the start of the tenancy the landlord gives the tenant a copy of the Act and regulations, plus written notice of the landlord's name, phone number and address for service. Where the agreement is written, the tenant gets a signed copy within 10 days. For an oral or implied agreement, the landlord instead gives a written notice with the prescribed information within 10 days. Miss either and it bites — under section 7(4) the tenant's obligation to pay rent is suspended until the landlord provides it (the withheld rent is then payable, s.7(5)). (Section 7(1)–(5), (7).) General information, not legal advice.

The Newfoundland landlord guide

Rent

Deposits

Entry & Access

Maintenance

Eviction

Lease Terms

Notices

Disputes

Tenancy End

The official sources