David Hickey

The provincial government looks to receive more public input on rental conditions from both tenant and landlord perspectives as its review of the Residential Tenancies Act continues.

The release from Housing New Brunswick says the corporation’s Tenant and Landlord Relations Office began holding engagement sessions last year to see which sections of the act are working and if any improvements could be made.

According to David Hickey, the minister responsible for the housing corporation, said many inconsistencies and outdated provisions have been found in the act, which has been left unchanged since its passing in 1975.

The minister says it is clear that the Residential Tenancies Act needs to be updated following these consultations.

“We’ll keep listening in the months ahead to make sure we get this right for tenants, landlords, and communities,” said Hickey.

A new online survey has been opened as of April 7 and will close to new input on May 8, according to the Government of New Brunswick’s Modernizing the Residential Tenancies Act page. Meetings with stakeholders will continue as well.

The survey will meet key discussion topics such as fair rent, affordability, tenant and landlord protections, rules, various processes, and enforcement options.

The online survey is available here, or people can share feedback by sending an email to YourVoiceHNB-VotreVoixHNB@gnb.ca.