NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR RESIDENTIAL LEASE

Free Newfoundland and Labrador Lease Agreement Generator

Answer a few questions, watch your tenancy agreement fill in live, and download it as a PDF.

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Create a Newfoundland and Labrador residential tenancy agreement in minutes, free and without an account. The generator follows the main rules of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2018 and runs entirely in your browser, so your details never leave your device.

Newfoundland and Labrador rental rules at a glance

Governing law
Residential Tenancies Act, 2018 (in force January 1, 2019)
Maximum security deposit
Three-quarters of the first month's rent (two weeks' rent if weekly)
Deposit return deadline
10 days after the tenant moves out, unless there is a claim
Rent increase notice
At least 6 months (8 weeks if weekly), once per 12 months, none in year one or during a fixed term
Landlord entry
Written notice at least 24 hours ahead, except in emergencies
Tenant notice to leave
One month (monthly), 7 days (weekly), 2 months before the end of a fixed term

Create a free Newfoundland and Labrador rental agreement online

Whether you are renting a basement apartment in St. John's, a house in Corner Brook, a duplex in Mount Pearl or a unit in Gander, a clear written lease protects both sides. This free lease agreement generator walks you through the questions a Newfoundland and Labrador residential tenancy needs, then builds a finished PDF you can print, sign and keep.

  1. Name the parties. Add every landlord and every adult tenant, with contact details.
  2. Describe the unit. Address, type of home, furnishings and any other occupants.
  3. Choose the term. Month-to-month, or a fixed term, which must be at least six months in this province.
  4. Set the rent and deposit. The tool shows the legal deposit cap while you type.
  5. Add the house rules. Utilities, pets, smoking, parking, storage and insurance.
  6. Review and download. Check the live preview on the right, then save your PDF.

What the Residential Tenancies Act, 2018 says about leases

Rental housing in the province is governed by the Residential Tenancies Act, 2018, which came into force on January 1, 2019. It applies to most rented homes, and some of its terms cannot be contracted out of. The Act also carries a set of statutory conditions that are part of every rental agreement, covering things like entry, repairs and assignment. A lease can add detail, but it cannot take away those protections.

When a written rental agreement is signed, the landlord must hand the tenant a copy within 10 days, along with a copy of the Act and regulations when it is signed. If the agreement is only oral, the landlord must give the tenant a written notice of the prescribed information within 10 days. A landlord who does not comply can find the tenant's obligation to pay rent suspended until they do, so it pays to get the paperwork right on day one.

The Act recognises weekly, monthly and fixed-term tenancies. A fixed term must run for at least six months, and rent for a fixed term is payable in equal monthly instalments. The generated agreement reflects whichever type you choose and adjusts the clause on the term automatically.

Security deposits, rent and increases

Deposit. The cap for monthly and fixed-term tenancies is three-quarters of the first month's rent, and for weekly tenancies it is the first two weeks' rent. The landlord must give a written acknowledgement showing the amount, the date received and the unit, and must deposit the money within two banking days into an interest-bearing account in Newfoundland and Labrador. Interest is credited to the tenant. Within 10 days after the tenant moves out the landlord must return the deposit unless there is a claim, in which case the parties can agree in writing or either one can apply to the Residential Tenancies program.

No prepaid last month. A landlord may not require the last week's or last month's rent up front. If your lease asks for it, that term is not enforceable.

Rent increases. Rent cannot go up during the first 12 months, cannot go up at all during a fixed term, and can go up no more than once in a 12-month period for weekly or monthly tenancies. The notice must be signed, state the new rent, the dollar amount of the increase and the effective date, and must be given at least six months ahead for a monthly tenancy, or eight weeks for a weekly one. The Act sets no percentage cap.

Entering the unit, subletting and ending a tenancy

Entry. A landlord needs your consent to come in, unless there is an emergency or one of the Act's conditions applies. The usual rule is written notice at least 24 hours in advance and entry at a reasonable time. Once either side has given notice to end the tenancy, the landlord may show the unit to prospective tenants or buyers at a reasonable time after a reasonable effort to give at least four hours' notice.

Assignment and subletting. A tenant may assign or sublet with the landlord's written consent, which the landlord cannot arbitrarily or unreasonably refuse. The landlord may not charge more than their actual expenses for giving consent.

Ending the tenancy. Tenants give at least seven days' notice for weekly rentals, one month for monthly rentals, and two months before the term ends for a fixed term. Landlords have to give much longer notice: four weeks for weekly, three months for monthly and three months before the end of a fixed term, and shorter notice is available only on grounds such as unpaid rent or serious breach. Notices must be in writing, and the termination date must fall on the last day of a rental period.

An honest note about official forms and what this generator is

Newfoundland and Labrador does not hide its paperwork. The Residential Tenancies page lists a Standard Rental Agreement, a Landlord's Notice to Increase Rent, a Landlord's Notice to Enter Premises, several termination notices, a Rental Premises Condition Report and the Application for Dispute Resolution. Use those official forms whenever you give a formal notice, even if you prepare the lease itself here.

This generator is a plain-language template builder. It is not a law firm, it does not file anything with the government, and it is not a substitute for legal advice. We write original clauses that reflect the main rules above, and where the Act is more specific than a clause, the Act wins. Before you sign, read the statute summary in your agreement, consider adding a condition report, and ask a lawyer or the Residential Tenancies program if your situation is unusual.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Newfoundland and Labrador lease generator really free?

Yes. You can fill in the questions, preview the agreement and download the PDF without paying or creating an account. There are no watermarks and no trial limits.

Do my answers get uploaded anywhere?

No. The generator runs in your browser, so names, addresses and rent amounts stay on your device. Your progress is saved locally in the browser so you can come back, and the Start over button clears it.

Is a written lease required in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The Residential Tenancies Act, 2018 expects a rental agreement to be documented. If a landlord signs a written agreement, a copy must go to the tenant within 10 days, and if the agreement is oral the landlord must give the tenant a written notice with the prescribed information within 10 days. A written lease is the clearest way to show what was agreed.

Is there an official standard rental agreement?

Yes. The provincial government publishes a Standard Rental Agreement and a long list of other forms on its Residential Tenancies page. This generator creates a plain-language alternative that follows the main rules of the Act. If you prefer the government form, download it from the official site and use it instead.

How much security deposit can a landlord charge?

For a monthly or fixed-term tenancy the cap is three-quarters of the first month's rent. For a weekly tenancy it is the first two weeks' rent. The landlord must give a written acknowledgement, place the deposit in an interest-bearing account in the province within two banking days, and return it within 10 days after the tenant moves out unless there is a claim against it.

Can a landlord ask for last month's rent in advance?

No. The Act does not allow a landlord to require prepayment of the last week's or last month's rent. The security deposit is the only advance payment the landlord may require.

How often can rent go up, and how much notice is needed?

No increase is allowed in the first 12 months of a tenancy or during a fixed term. After that, rent may be increased no more than once in any 12-month period. The landlord must give a signed notice at least six months ahead for monthly tenancies (eight weeks for weekly), and the increase takes effect on the first day of a rental period. The Act does not set a percentage cap.

When can a landlord enter my rental unit?

Except in an emergency or with your consent, a landlord must enter at a reasonable time and give at least 24 hours' written notice. After a notice to end the tenancy has been given, the landlord may show the unit to prospective tenants or buyers after making a reasonable effort to give at least four hours' notice.

How much notice does a tenant have to give to move out?

Tenants must give at least seven days' notice for a weekly tenancy, one month for a month-to-month tenancy, and two months before the end of a fixed term. The notice date must be the last day of a rental period.

Where do I go if there is a dispute?

The Residential Tenancies program of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador handles applications for dispute resolution, including deposit disputes. The Application for Dispute Resolution form and fee information are on the government website.

Last reviewed October 2026.