Is this the answer to affordable housing? I am posting a summary of the details from the Nova Scotia governments introduction to protection for renters and forming an affordable housing commission bulletin on November 27, 2020.
In Nova Scotia’s largest city Halifax (HRM) the population has been booming (Depending on the source) The population has grown by about 8000 residents per year over the past 4 years, mainly due to international immigration. In 2020 approximately 4000 new rental units will be under construction.
See CMHC rental market report Halifax
Kevin Russell the executive director of IPOANS (The Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia) has arranged a meeting with residential tenancies on Monday November 30th.
If you have solutions and ideas to solve or lead towards a solution to the affordable housing issue or housing shortage, make sure to contact your local politician.
Here is a link to the MLA contacts for Nova Scotia
Whether you are a tenant, landlord or a property manager, you will want to read this bulletin:
Introducing Protection for Renters and a New Nova Scotia Affordable
Housing Commission.
Source: novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Updated: November 27, 2020
The Nova Scotia Government introduced a two per cent cap on rental increases for existing tenants and a ban on renovictions. The province also announced it is creating the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission.
Here are the highlights:
Rent Caps
• Rents can’t increase by more than two per cent for existing tenants
• This rent cap is retroactive to September 1, 2020
These changes are being made under the Emergency Management Act and will be in place until February 1, 2022, or until the state of emergency is lifted, whichever comes first.
What does this mean for tenants?
• For existing tenants staying in the same unit, rents can’t be increased by more than
two per cent annually.
– If a tenant had their rent increased by more than two per cent since September 1,
2020, their landlord will have to credit them the amount above the two per cent on their next rental payments.
– If the tenant doesn’t live there anymore but has paid the higher rent in September,
October or November then their landlord will have to reimburse them the overpayment amount.
– If tenants are not reimbursed by their January rental payment, they should make an application to the Residential Tenancies Program www.novascotia.ca/rta unless
alternative arrangements have been made with their landlord.
• The rent caps do not apply to new tenants. For these tenants, rates can be set at market value.
Tenants and Landlords are always encouraged to work together to resolve disputes.
If an agreement cannot be reached, tenants and landlords can apply to the Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Program for assistance. It’s important for both tenants and landlords to know their rights and responsibilities.
Tenant Resources:
https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/residential-tenancy-guides
https://beta.novascotia.ca/programs-and-services/residential-tenancies-program
What does this mean for landlords?
• For existing tenants:
– If a landlord increased a tenant’s rent, since September 1, 2020, by more than two per cent, they must reimburse the difference compared to the previous rent.
• For new tenants, the rent cap doesn’t apply to the initial rental amount.
The two per cent cap is applicable on all subsequent rental increases.
Tenants and Landlords are always encouraged to work together to resolve disputes.
If an agreement cannot be reached, tenants and landlords can apply to the Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Program for assistance. It’s important for both tenants and landlords to know their rights and responsibilities.
Residential Tenancy Resources:
https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/residential-tenancy-guides
https://beta.novascotia.ca/programs-and-services/residential-tenancies-program
Renoviction Ban
• Effective immediately, landlords will not be able to get an eviction order for renovations
• This change is being made under the Emergency Management Act and will be in place until February 1, 2022, or until the state of emergency is lifted, whichever comes first
What does this mean for tenants?
• Tenants can’t be evicted for the purpose of renovations unless their landlord has an eviction order that has already been issued by the Residential Tenancies Program.
What does this mean for landlords?
• Landlords can’t evict tenants for the purposes of renovations unless an eviction order
has already been issued by the Residential Tenancies Program.
Landlords can still evict tenants for situations permitted under the Residential Tenancies Act such as:
– Rental arrears
– Safety and/or security risk (i.e., physical assaults)
– Abuse of landlord rules (i.e., continued smoking in a non-smoking building)
– Non-compliance with tenant obligations under Residential Tenancies Act
(ie. subletting without the landlord’s permission)
– Damage/destruction to property
– Property owners wish to move back into their home
– Early termination is required for a new property owner to take possession of their new home.
– A property is foreclosed on by a financial institution.
Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission
• The Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission will engage with experts and stakeholders
across the province to examine the current state of affordable housing in Nova Scotia and identify meaningful, sustainable, and actionable strategies and opportunities.
• The Commission will provide recommendations to the Minister of DMAH on how to address the challenges associated with affordable housing and increase the supply of a diverse range of affordable housing in Nova Scotia. The recommendations are due on or
before May 31, 2021.
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Until next time,
Design your landlord experience,
Michael P Currie
Landlord by Design
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