Updated: April 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

New Brunswick Property Transfer Tax — There Is None

If you are buying real estate in New Brunswick, here is some good news: New Brunswick does NOT charge a provincial property transfer tax. Unlike Nova Scotia, Ontario, British Columbia, and most other Canadian provinces, buying a home in NB does not trigger a land transfer or deed transfer tax at the provincial level. This is a genuine and significant financial advantage for New Brunswick buyers.

What Does "No PTT" Mean for Buyers?

In provinces with property transfer taxes, buyers must pay a percentage of the purchase price to the government at closing. This cost is paid in cash and cannot be financed through a mortgage. In New Brunswick, this line item simply does not exist. Your closing costs are lower than in most other Canadian provinces.

Comparison with Other Provinces

• New Brunswick: $0 property transfer tax
• Prince Edward Island: 1% on first $30,000, 2% on remainder
• Nova Scotia: ~1.0%–1.5% deed transfer tax (varies by municipality)
• Ontario: Up to 2.0% provincial LTT (plus Toronto municipal LTT)
• Quebec: "Welcome Tax" up to 3.0% on higher-value properties
• British Columbia: 1%–3% depending on purchase price
• Manitoba: Up to 2% on higher-value properties

What Closing Costs Do NB Buyers Pay?

While there is no PTT, New Brunswick buyers still have closing costs to budget for:

• Legal fees: $1,200–$2,000 typically
• Home inspection: $350–$550
• Title insurance: $250–$450
• CMHC mortgage insurance: Required if down payment under 20% (added to mortgage)
• Property tax adjustments: Prorated at closing
• Moving costs: Varies

Why Does New Brunswick Not Have a PTT?

New Brunswick has historically maintained a policy of lower transaction costs for property purchases to support housing affordability and encourage investment in the province. The absence of PTT is a long-standing feature of the NB tax regime, not a recent innovation. It makes NB an attractive destination for buyers comparing options across Atlantic Canada and beyond.

Impact on First-Time Buyers

The absence of PTT in New Brunswick has the greatest proportional impact on first-time buyers with limited savings. When buying a $300,000 home in Moncton, a first-time buyer with $15,000 saved (5% down) keeps that entire amount for the down payment rather than diverting thousands to a transfer tax. This can mean the difference between qualifying for a purchase and falling short.

Investment Property Buyers

For investors acquiring multiple properties, the absence of PTT in New Brunswick compounds significantly over multiple transactions. An investor who buys five properties at an average of $300,000 saves approximately $22,500–$45,000 compared to making those same purchases in Nova Scotia or Ontario.

Key Takeaway

Buying real estate in New Brunswick — whether in Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, or smaller communities — comes with the structural advantage of zero provincial property transfer tax. This is a meaningful financial benefit that buyers from other provinces should factor into their housing market comparisons.