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Overview
Landlords may ask tenants for a security deposit, sometimes called a damage deposit. If the tenant does not uphold their responsibilities during the rental term, the landlord may place a claim against the damage deposit.
How to pay a security deposit
A tenant may pay a security deposit to the landlord or directly to a Service New Brunswick centre. A tenant may pay by cash, debit, money order, certified cheque or bank draft. When paying a security deposit to a landlord, the tenant should request a receipt. The receipt should show the amount paid, the address of the rental unit and indicate it is a security deposit.
A landlord that collects a security deposit must submit it to the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office within 15 days. The landlord may pay by cash, debit, money order, certified cheque, bank draft or personal cheque. Landlords can also make security deposit payments online by using the e-Landlord service.
Security Deposit Remittance Form (PDF 91.8 KB)
Tenants and landlords can make security deposit payments at any Service New Brunswick service centre or by mail to:
Tenant and Landlord Relations Office
PO Box 5001
Moncton, NB
E1C 8R3
The Tenant and Landlord Relations Office will provide a Certificate of Deposit to both the landlord and tenant(s) by mail.
If the Certificate of Deposit is not received within four weeks or has an error, contact the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office at 1-888-762-8600 or by email [email protected].
Your unique identifier on the Certificate of Deposit is the Tenancy Number and you should reference this number anytime you are dealing with the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office as it relates to your deposit.
Amount that can be charged for a security deposit
Your landlord may ask for the first month’s rent and a security deposit but cannot ask for the first month’s rent and last month’s rent. The maximum amount that can be charged for a security deposit depends on the lease term:
- Week-to-week lease: up to one week of rent
- Month-to-month lease: up to one month of rent
- Year-to-year lease: up to one month of rent
- Fixed-term lease: up to one month of rent
- Mobile home site lease: up to three months of rent
Apply for the return of your security deposit
When you move out of your rental unit you can apply for the return of your security deposit. It is important for you to submit your application as soon as possible so that you may be contacted if a claim is made against your security deposit.
All tenants named on the Certificate of Deposit must apply separately for the return of their portion.
Apply online for the return of your security deposit
Applying online as soon as you move out is the quickest and easiest way to have your security deposit returned to you. Your application will be processed at the end of your lease term.
Other ways to apply
Visit a Service New Brunswick service centre to apply in person.
You can send printed or digital copies of completed forms to the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office by email to [email protected], by fax at 1-855-869-6421, by mail to PO Box 5001, Moncton, NB, E1C 8R3, or bring it to a Service New Brunswick service centre.
Application for the Return of the Security Deposit (PDF 406 KB)
Applying on behalf of another person
Power of attorney
If the tenant requesting the return of the security deposit or a transfer is unable to complete the form on their own, a copy of their Power of Attorney must be included with the application.
Death certificate and will
If the tenant named on the security deposit is deceased, a copy of the will and death certificate must be included with the application of the return of the security deposit.
Death certificate and indemnity letter
If there is no will, the applicant must complete an Indemnity Letter (262 KB).
Transfer a security deposit
You can transfer your security deposit to another rental unit or another tenant.
Transfer to another rental unit
Apply online or send printed or digital copies of completed forms to the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office by email to [email protected], by fax at 1-855-869-6421, by mail to PO Box 5001, Moncton, NB, E1C 8R3, or bring it to a Service New Brunswick service centre.
Transfer to another tenant
If a new tenant is taking over your lease, and you want to transfer the security deposit held under your name at Service New Brunswick to the new tenant:
- complete the Security Deposit Transfer Tenant to Tenant form. (PDF 820 KB)
- the form must be signed by both you and the landlord and sent to Tenant and Landlord Relations Office by email to [email protected], by fax at 1-855-869-6421, by mail to PO Box 5001, Moncton, NB, E1C 8R3, or bring it to a Service New Brunswick service centre
- once received, the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office will update the tenancy file, and a new Certificate of Deposit will go to the landlord and the new tenant
Claims against security deposits
Submit a claim against a security deposit
Landlords can make a claim against the security deposit but must do so within seven days from the end of the tenancy. Items that can be claimed against a security deposit include:
- unpaid rent
- unpaid utilities
- unpaid late payment fees
- cleaning and/or repairs
Disagree with a claim
If a claim is made against your security deposit, you will be informed. A copy of the claim is sent to your last known address. Applying for the return of your security deposit as soon as possible will provide the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office with your new address.
You may email [email protected], call 1-888-762-8600 or visit any Service New Brunswick service centre location to inform the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office that you disagree with the claimed items made against your security deposit. You must be prepared to explain in detail why you disagree.
You will need to provide evidence to support your opposition to the claimed items. A member of the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office team will contact you to help you understand the hearing process.