A hot topic in our area comes down to two things. Landlords & tenants need to know the residential tenancy act plus understand their legal property rights. Dalhousie legal aid provides a great resource.

Dalhousie Legal aid just updated their Tenants Rights Guide if you are a landlord in Nova Scotia I highly recommend you read this. They provide a great overview of the residential tenancy act, in an easy to read format. It is called a tenants rights guide, however, landlords & property managers can benefit by using it as a quick reference guide of the Nova Scotia residential tenancy act.

More info on the topic can be found on the Legal Info Nova Scotia Website or on the Dalhousie Legal Aid Tenants Rights Website

The full Nova Scotia residential guide can be found here: NS Residential Tenancy Act

A blank copy of the official Nova Scotia Lease can be found here: Standard From of Lease Form (P)

I want to end by saying the best way to have a great landlord / tenant experience is by starting with a proper screening process. As part of our process we have been using TVS Tenant Verification for several years. They have a Canadian & American website and do a tenant rating. They provide both credit & criminal background checks.

Getting educated has been our best source of risk management. If you are in Nova Scotia you should look up Rental Housing Providers Nova Scotia, and a great resource in the USA is AAOA American Apartment Owners Association

I know this post seems a little advertorial, I assure you that is not my intent, but I do feel strongly about all landlords, property managers and tenants getting educated, and these links provide some really fantastic information.

Until next time,

Design your landlord experience,

Michael Currie – Landlord by Design

Also if you do not have it, make sure to pick up a copy of one or both of my books right here!