New rules clarify conditions for ending a tenancy in Nova Scotia

New rules and changes under the Residential Tenancies Program will provide clearer conditions for ending a tenancy, that’s according to the Nova Scotia government.

Some of the changes include new timelines and clearer conditions for ending an agreement, including three late rent payments, criminal behaviour, disturbing another tenant or the landlord, or causing extraordinary damage to a rental unit.

The province says landlords will be able to notify tenants three days after rent is due that their lease can end if they don’t pay — but this does not mean tenants will have to leave the unit.

“Landlords need to understand and follow the rules and provide tenants with safe and well-kept properties, while tenants also need to understand and follow the rules, including respecting their rental unit and neighbours,” said Jill Balser, minister of Service Nova Scotia. “It’s always a balance. That’s why we meet with tenant and landlord groups to help inform the changes we make.”

Tenants will have 10 days after receiving a notice to either pay their rent, leave the unit or appeal to the Residential Tenancies Program.

The government says that before these changes, Nova Scotia had the longest wait times in the country, putting many landlords at financial risk.

The changes take effect at the end of the month.

Rental market in Halifax

Although there is a prediction that housing builds will increase, the rental market could face a pinch in Halifax Regional Municipality.

Similar to other east coast markets, rental projects are growing and account for the majority of the construction seen. The outlook that this will continue is “positive” the report notes, even if it’s not as strong as the last two years.

New units on the market are set to bring the vacancy rate up slightly. The main risk is that there could be delays in the construction of rental units because the industry is facing a shortage of workers. This could in turn limit the growth in supply.