Abandoned tenant belongings

Occasionally, a tenant may leave their belongings behind after moving out. Abandoned belongings may consist of items such as clothing, personal items, or furniture, but can also include larger property, such as a mobile home.

Do not dispose of a tenant’s belongings as they belong to the tenant. You may put the tenant’s belongings in storage.

A Residential Tenancies Officer will tell you what to do with the belongings. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Apply for assistance

Submit a Landlord Application for Assistance and keep your reference number.

Apply online, or send printed or digital copies of completed forms to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal by email to [email protected], by fax at 1-855-869-642, by mail to PO Box 5001, Moncton, NB, E1C 8R3, or bring it to a Service New Brunswick service centre.

• Landlord Application for Assistance (Online)
• Landlord Application for Assistance (PDF)

Step 2: Provide a list of items and amount of rent owing

Prepare a list of abandoned belongings, their approximate value, and take pictures.

Send the list along with the pictures and amount of rent owing to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal byemail to [email protected], by fax at 1-855-658-3096, by mail to PO Box 5001, Moncton, NB, E1C 8R3, or bring it to a Service New Brunswick service centre.

Be sure to include the reference number of your Landlord Application for Assistance.

Step 3: We will contact you

A member of the team will contact you to discuss next steps based on the information provided in your application.

Contact your landlord to as soon as possible to arrange to collect your belongings.

A landlord cannot withhold your belongings. Your landlord must release your belongings to you, even if there is money owing. If your landlord is owed money, they may file a claim against your security deposit with the Residential Tenancies Tribunal or pursue other legal avenues.

If you were evicted, re-entering the rental unit without your landlord’s permission is trespassing.