High rent is the biggest problem facing New Brunswick tenants today. A recent provincial government survey confirms what many renters already know. Affordability tops the list of concerns, followed closely by delayed repairs and confusing eviction rules.

According to a report from CBC News, the survey gathered input from about 2,800 people. Tenants made up 67 percent of the respondents.

The Cost of Renting

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reports the average monthly rent hit $1,307 provincewide recently. That is a massive jump from $928 in 2021. When you look for an apartment right now, you see even higher numbers. Data from Apartments.com shows the current average sits at $1,327.

Loopholes in the Rent Cap

New Brunswick has a three percent cap on annual rent increases. However, advocates say loopholes make this cap ineffective. Matthew Hayes is a Fredericton sociologist and member of the New Brunswick Coalition for Tenants Rights. He calls the cap false advertising.

When a tenant moves out, landlords raise the rent to whatever the market allows. Big rental companies see about 20 percent of their units turn over every year. The province loses affordable housing faster than the government builds it.

Fixed term leases offer another way around the rules. These leases expire after a set time instead of renewing automatically. Landlords also raise rent by up to nine percent when they spend money on capital improvements. Hayes notes the definition of a capital improvement remains unclear, and rent never decreases after the landlord recovers those costs.

Substandard Housing in Saint John

Lack of upkeep is the second biggest issue for tenants. New Brunswick Housing Minister David Hickey notes this problem hits close to home. He sees a lot of substandard housing in his own Saint John neighborhood. Tenants report severe issues like pest infestations and humidity problems that go ignored for months.

The Landlord Perspective

Property owners face their own challenges. Landlords told the government their top issues include unpaid rent, long eviction timelines, and property damage. They also struggle with rising property taxes, maintenance costs, and utility bills.

Tressa Bevington is the president of the Rental Housing Providers of New Brunswick. She says tenants deserve safe housing and supports holding bad landlords accountable. She also wants fair rules for housing providers who invest in their properties.

Future Fixes

Hickey plans to make filing complaints easier for tenants. He will clarify enforcement rules and speed up decisions from the Tenant Landlord Relations Office. The government will release new policy steps this fall.

Hayes believes the easiest fix is tying the rent cap to the physical apartment unit instead of the lease. This prevents massive rent hikes between tenants. His group also wants the government to tie the cap percentage directly to inflation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current rent cap in New Brunswick?

The province has a three percent cap on annual rent increases for existing leases.

Why is rent still going up despite the cap?

Landlords raise rent beyond three percent when a tenant moves out, when they use fixed term leases, or when they make capital improvements to the building.

What are the top complaints from landlords?

Landlords struggle with unpaid rent, property damage, disruptive tenants, and rising operational costs like taxes and insurance.

How much is the average rent in New Brunswick?

Recent data shows the average monthly rent is around $1,307 provincewide, up significantly from $928 in 2021.