Landlord & Tenant Guide · Updated 2026
Residential Tenancies in NL
Written by the Turner Realty Team · Reviewed August 2026
Most landlord-tenant disputes come down to one thing: someone not knowing what the Residential Tenancies Act, 2018 actually says. Here's the plain-English version — security deposits, notice periods, rent increases, and what happens if a dispute lands with the province instead of a courtroom.
Security Deposits
Newfoundland & Labrador caps how much a landlord can collect as a security deposit, and the maximum depends on the type of tenancy:
| Tenancy type | Maximum deposit |
|---|---|
| Week-to-week | 2 weeks' rent |
| Month-to-month | ¾ (three-quarters) of the first month's rent |
| Fixed-term | ¾ (three-quarters) of the first month's rent |
When the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit within 10 days, minus any approved deductions for damage or unpaid rent. The landlord also owes the tenant interest on the deposit for the entire time they held it, at a rate set by current provincial regulation — that rate changes periodically, so check the current figure directly with the province rather than relying on a fixed number here.
Notice to End a Tenancy
How much notice is required depends on who's ending the tenancy and what kind it is:
| Situation | Notice required |
|---|---|
| Tenant ending a week-to-week tenancy | At least 7 days before the end of a rental period |
| Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy | At least 1 month before the end of a rental period |
| Landlord ending a week-to-week tenancy (non-fault) | At least 4 weeks before the end of a rental period |
| Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy (non-fault) | At least 3 months before the end of a rental period |
Rent Increases — No Rent Cap in NL
Newfoundland & Labrador does not currently have a rent cap or a maximum percentage a landlord can raise rent by — unlike some other Atlantic provinces. NL did have a temporary 2% cap from January 2022 through the end of 2023, introduced during the housing-affordability crunch, but it expired and was not extended or replaced.
What IS required, regardless of the amount:
- Rent can be increased at most once every 12 months on a periodic (month-to-month or week-to-week) tenancy.
- Rent cannot be increased at all during the term of a fixed-length lease.
- The landlord must give at least 6 months' written notice for a month-to-month tenancy, or 8 weeks' notice for a week-to-week tenancy, before the increase takes effect.
Right of Entry & Repairs
A landlord can't simply let themselves into a rented unit. Except in a genuine emergency, entry requires either the tenant's consent, or proper advance notice: 24 hours' written notice for an ordinary entry at a reasonable time, or 4 hours' notice to show the unit to a prospective tenant or buyer once a termination notice has already been given.
On the flip side, landlords have an ongoing duty to maintain the property in a good state of repair and fit for habitation throughout the tenancy, and to comply with applicable health, safety, and housing standards — this obligation applies whether or not the issue existed before the tenant moved in.
Resolving a Dispute
Most landlord-tenant disputes in NL don't go to court — they go through the province's own Residential Tenancies process, overseen by the Director of Residential Tenancies. Either party can apply using the prescribed dispute-resolution form. From there, the Director may offer mediation (a signed mediated agreement is binding), or refer the case to an adjudicator for a hearing, which ends in a written order covering things like the validity of a termination notice or the return of a security deposit.
A decision can be appealed to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. There's a filing deadline after a tenancy ends to bring a dispute forward — confirm the current deadline directly with the Residential Tenancies Office before assuming how much time you have.
Common Questions
Is there a limit on how much a landlord can raise the rent in Newfoundland and Labrador?
No. Unlike some other provinces, NL does not currently have a rent cap or rent-control percentage limit — a landlord can raise rent by any amount, provided they follow the notice rules. NL did have a temporary 2% rent cap from January 2022 to December 2023, but it expired and was not renewed. What IS required: rent can only be raised once every 12 months on a periodic tenancy, never during the term of a fixed lease, and the landlord must give at least 6 months' written notice (8 weeks for a week-to-week tenancy).
How much is a landlord allowed to charge for a security deposit?
It depends on the tenancy type. For a week-to-week tenancy, the maximum is 2 weeks' rent. For a month-to-month or fixed-term tenancy, the maximum is three-quarters (¾) of the first month's rent. A landlord must return the deposit within 10 days of the tenant moving out, minus any approved deductions, and must credit interest on it at a rate set by current provincial regulation.
What happens if a fixed-term lease ends and nobody says anything?
It does not just end on its own. If a tenant stays past the end of a fixed-term lease and no termination notice was given by either side, the tenancy automatically continues as a month-to-month tenancy under the same terms — and from that point on, ending it requires the normal periodic-tenancy notice (1 month from the tenant, 3 months from the landlord for non-fault reasons).
Can a landlord enter a rental unit whenever they want?
No. Except in a genuine emergency, a landlord needs either the tenant's consent, or must give proper notice: 24 hours' written notice for a routine entry at a reasonable time, or 4 hours' notice if entry is to show the unit to a prospective tenant or buyer after a termination notice has been given.
How are landlord-tenant disputes resolved in NL — do you have to go to court?
Not usually. NL has a dedicated Residential Tenancies process, administered by the Director of Residential Tenancies, that handles disputes without a courtroom in most cases. Either party applies using the prescribed dispute-resolution form; the Director may offer mediation (a signed agreement is binding) or refer the matter to an adjudicator for a hearing, which ends in a written order. Decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. There is a filing deadline after a tenancy ends, so don't sit on a dispute — confirm the current deadline directly with the Residential Tenancies Office.
Can a landlord include a no-pets clause in a lease, and is it enforceable?
The Residential Tenancies Act itself does not specifically address pets one way or the other. In practice, a no-pets clause is typically treated like any other agreed term of the lease. If you have a specific pet-related dispute, it's worth confirming directly with the Residential Tenancies Office rather than assuming either way.
Renting Out a Property, or Renting One?
Whether you're a landlord weighing whether to keep or sell a rental property, or a tenant thinking about buying instead of renting, a Turner Realty agent can walk you through the numbers.
This guide summarizes the Residential Tenancies Act, 2018 (Newfoundland & Labrador) in general terms and is not legal advice. Some figures — including the security-deposit interest rate and dispute filing deadlines — are set by regulation and can change. Confirm current details with the Residential Tenancies Office before relying on them, and consult a lawyer for a specific dispute.