Does a secondary suite need its own electrical meter in New Brunswick or can i just split the NB Power bill?

You don't need a separate electrical meter for a secondary suite in New Brunswick — many landlords split a single NB Power bill between tenants or include electricity in the rent. However, installing a second meter is often worth considering for fairness and property value.

Single Meter Arrangements

Most secondary suites in New Brunswick operate on the main home's electrical service with one NB Power account. You can handle billing several ways: include utilities in the rent (most common), estimate usage and charge a flat monthly fee, or use a ratio based on square footage. Many landlords in Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John simply build electrical costs into the rental rate to avoid disputes over usage.

The challenge with shared metering comes during high-usage months — winter heating bills can easily hit $300-500+ for an older home with electric baseboard heating. If your tenant runs space heaters constantly or mines cryptocurrency, you'll feel it in your wallet.

Installing a Second Meter

NB Power will install a second meter if you meet their requirements: separate electrical service entrance, individual disconnect switches, and adequate space on your property for a second meter base. The process requires an electrical wiring permit (call 1-800-615-0522) and work by a licensed electrical contractor. A licensed electrician must design the service upgrade and obtain TIS inspection approval.

Cost breakdown: Electrical service upgrade runs $3,500-8,000 depending on your current panel capacity and distance to the street. NB Power charges a connection fee plus monthly basic service charges for the second account. You'll also need separate electrical panels — the National Building Code requires fire-rated separation between suite electrical systems anyway.

Practical benefits: Individual meters eliminate billing disputes, make your property more attractive to quality tenants, and provide clear usage data for energy efficiency improvements. Many tenants actually prefer paying their own utilities — it gives them control over their consumption.

Before making this investment, check with your municipality or Regional Service Commission about secondary suite requirements in your area. Moncton, Fredericton, and Dieppe have clear secondary suite policies, while rural areas under RSC jurisdiction may have different rules. The electrical work must comply with NBC 2020 fire separation requirements regardless of your metering choice.

Next step: Contact a licensed electrical contractor for a site assessment — they can evaluate your current service capacity and provide quotes for both single-meter upgrades (if needed for code compliance) and dual-meter installations.