Nova Scotia (NS) law guide
Quick answer
Nova Scotia caps rent increases at 5% per year for all tenancy agreements from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, with 4 months written notice required. The security deposit is capped at one-half month's rent. Nonpayment disputes go to a Residential Tenancies Officer; landlords may serve a Notice to Quit after rent is 15 days overdue.
Security deposit rules
Maximum one-half month's rent; returned within 10 days of tenancy end; interest rate is currently 0%
Rent control
Yes, capped at 5% per year for 2026 and 2027; 4 months written notice required using Form J
Tribunal/board
Residential Tenancies Office (Director of Residential Tenancies)
Nonpayment notice
Notice to Quit (Form D) after 15 days overdue; tenant has 15 days to pay or vacate
Nova Scotia rental market snapshot
Population
1.05 million
Renter households
~32%
Median rent
$1,708/mo (2BR, existing leases); ~$2,550/mo (new asking rent)
Largest rental markets
Halifax, Dartmouth, Sydney, Truro
Halifax is Canada's fastest-growing Atlantic city; CMHC 2024 data shows existing 2BR average at $1,708 while new-to-market asking rents average $2,550, reflecting rapid rent growth amid housing shortage.
Nova Scotia landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one-half month's rent. The deposit must be held in a trust account and returned within 10 days of the tenancy ending, along with any applicable interest.
Since January 1, 2013, the legislated interest rate on security deposits has been 0%. Deductions are permitted only for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear; landlords must provide an itemized accounting if they retain any portion of the deposit.
Rent increases are capped at 5% per year for all rental units from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. Landlords may only raise rent once every 12 months and must provide at least 4 months written notice using the official Form J (Notice of Rent Increase).
Above-guideline increases are not available under the current temporary cap. No additional fees beyond the permitted security deposit are allowed; pet fees, key deposits, and move-in fees are prohibited.
If rent is 15 days overdue, a landlord may serve a Notice to Quit (Form D) requiring the tenant to pay all arrears or vacate. As of April 2025, landlords may begin the eviction process 3 days after a missed payment, and tenants then have 15 days to pay or vacate after receiving the formal notice.
If the tenant does not comply, the landlord applies to the Residential Tenancies Office (Form K: Application to Director for Rental Arrears). A Residential Tenancies Officer holds a hearing and issues a binding order. Non-compliance with the order can be enforced through the courts.
Landlords must provide 24 hours written notice before entering a rental unit. Entry is restricted to the hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Landlords may enter without notice only in the case of genuine emergency.
Landlords are legally required to keep the unit in a good state of repair and comply with all applicable health, safety, and building standards. Tenants can report maintenance failures to the Residential Tenancies Office, which has authority to order repairs.
Tenants are protected from discrimination in housing under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, which covers race, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity among other grounds.
Tenants have the right to quiet enjoyment of their unit and cannot be locked out or have utilities disconnected as a form of pressure. Recent 2025 amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act strengthened protections against renovictions, requiring landlords to pay compensation and offer first right of return when a unit is genuinely needed for renovation.
Nova Scotia prescribes a standard form of lease under its Residential Tenancies Regulations. All written leases must use or incorporate the standard terms; any clause that contradicts the Act is void. Verbal agreements are enforceable but the standard statutory terms apply automatically.
Fixed-term leases do not automatically renew; at the end of the term the tenancy converts to month-to-month unless both parties agree in writing to renew. Landlords cannot demand that a tenant sign a new fixed-term lease as a condition of staying.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Residential Tenancies Act, RSNS 1989, c 401. Laws change; confirm the current statute or consult an attorney before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-06.
Nova Scotia FAQ
The rent increase cap is **5% per year** for all rental units from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. Your landlord must give you at least **4 months written notice** using the official Form J and can only raise rent once every 12 months.
A landlord in Nova Scotia can only charge a security deposit of **one-half month's rent**. The deposit earns **0% interest** and must be returned within **10 days** of you leaving, minus any lawful deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear.
If your rent is **15 days overdue**, your landlord can serve you a Notice to Quit (Form D). You then have **15 days to pay the full arrears** or vacate. If you neither pay nor leave, the landlord files with the **Residential Tenancies Office** and a Residential Tenancies Officer issues a binding order.
Yes. Nova Scotia regulations prescribe a standard tenancy agreement. Any lease clause that contradicts the **Residential Tenancies Act** is automatically void, and the statutory standard terms apply to all tenancies including verbal agreements.
Nova Scotia's 2025 amendments require landlords to pay **compensation** and offer tenants a **first right of return** before evicting for renovations. Landlords must prove the renovation genuinely requires the unit to be vacant; using renovations as a pretext to re-rent at a higher rate is prohibited.
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