Highlights of the Nova Scotia Residential Tenancy Act
Lease Types
There are two types of lease in Nova Scotia. The first is a fixed-term lease which begins and ends on the dates specified on the lease. There is no automatic renewal clause on a fixed-term lease. A periodic lease can be week-to-week, month-to-month, or year-to-year. These leases renew automatically and onus is on the tenant to stop the renewal (3-months prior to expiry).
Rent Increases
The landlord may not increase the rent within the first 12 months of the lease. After this period, rent may only be increased once every 12 month period. The tenant must be given 4 full months of notice in order for rent to be increased. Currently, rent control only applies to mobile home parks/land leases. Rent increases beyond reasonable market value may be considered creative evictions and declined by the tenancy office.
How much notice is required to enter a unit?
A landlord must give a tenant 24 hours notice prior to entering a unit unless there is a reasonable maintenance related emergency. The landlord may only enter the unit between 9 AM and 9 PM.
How much of a security deposit can I charge?
A maximum of 50% of one months rent can be charged as a security deposit. A landlord cannot request more than 50% of one months rent, including for keys/parking/etc. The security deposit must be held in trust, and returned to the tenant no more than 10 days after the last day of the lease. The landlord does not owe the tenant any interest on the security deposit.
Can my tenant sublet?
Subletting is a tenants legal right, and the landlord cannot deny a sublet without cause. We recommend a full application on ALL tenants, along with an administration fee not to exceed $75 to the existing tenant.