Nova Scotia updates property disclosure rules for coastal land buyers

People looking to buy coastal property in Nova Scotia now have access to a new disclosure tool to help make informed decisions.

As of Monday, buyers can request information from sellers on property disclosure forms about whether a property has been affected by coastal flooding, erosion or other drainage issues.

The Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission introduced the change to increase awareness and understanding of potential hazards that come with owning coastal properties.

“Purchasing a property is one of the biggest and most important financial commitments we make, and I applaud the leadership of the real estate commission, who with this change are helping property buyers make informed decisions and investments with respect to potential impacts of climate change,” said Timothy Halman, minister of environment and climate change. “This is the type of all-hands-on-deck approach to adapting to global climate change that is needed to ensure our communities and homes are sustainable and safe.”

According to the province, the new requirements apply to both developed properties and vacant land.

The disclosure change is in addition to other tools introduced by the province in the past year, including a coastal hazard assessment report that offers property-specific information on flooding and erosion risks, and an interactive hazard mapping tool that shows possible coastal impacts.