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2w ago

Nova Scotia Maintains Fixed-Term Lease Rules Despite Tenant Advocacy

Officials cite potential unintended consequences and lack of data as reasons to delay reforms addressing rent cap loophole.

Nova Scotia Lt.-Gov. Arthur LeBlanc reads the speech from throne at the legislature in Halifax on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

Overview

  • Provincial officials acknowledged the misuse of fixed-term leases to bypass Nova Scotia's 5% rent cap but confirmed no immediate legislative changes are planned.
  • Gary O’Toole, associate deputy minister of Service Nova Scotia, emphasized the need to study potential long-term impacts before altering tenancy laws.
  • Tenant advocates report a 466% increase in evictions linked to fixed-term leases since 2021, highlighting the strain on renters in a low-vacancy housing market.
  • The opposition NDP proposed legislation in March to allow tenants on fixed-term leases to extend their agreements month-to-month, but it remains unpassed.
  • Officials admitted the province lacks data on the prevalence of fixed-term leases and associated evictions, complicating efforts to assess the issue comprehensively.