Nova Scotia (NS) lease form
Quick answer
Nova Scotia's Standard Form of Lease (Form P) is not strictly mandatory in form, but all of its terms are mandatory in effect. Any lease a landlord uses must contain every item shown in Form P, and if any item is missing it applies by operation of law anyway. The current Form P is dated April 2025 (N.S. Reg. 19/2025). Key rules include a security deposit cap of half a month's rent, a rent increase cap of 5% per year extended through 2027, and 4 months' written notice before any rent increase.
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Landlord must give the tenant a copy of the Act within 10 days of the lease being signed.
Landlord must provide the tenant with a fully signed copy of the lease within 10 days of signing.
Form P requires full names, addresses, and phone numbers for the landlord, any property manager, and any superintendent.
The lease must disclose any security deposit amount held, as deposits must be placed in trust within 3 days of collection.
All statutory conditions prescribed under the Act must be referenced in or attached to every lease.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Residential Tenancies Act, RSNS 1989, c 401. Confirm current requirements or consult an attorney before finalizing a lease.
Nova Scotia lease FAQ
The exact Form P document is not mandatory, but every item it contains is mandatory. If any statutory condition is absent from the lease used, it applies automatically by law.
Yes, landlords may restrict pets provided the rule applies fairly and consistently to all tenants in the property. No additional pet deposit or pet fee may be charged.
The annual cap is 5% per year, extended through the end of 2027. Four months' written notice is required before any increase takes effect.
Within 10 days of the tenancy ending. If the landlord intends to deduct from the deposit, a claim form must also be filed with the Residential Tenancies Office within 10 days.
