Tenant Rights in Nova Scotia
Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in Nova Scotia. Our articles cover eviction laws, rent increases, security deposits, landlord obligations, and more.
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Latest Tenant News
How Nova Scotia became one of Canada's most expensive rental markets
source: www.cbc.ca
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October 01, 2026
Renting can seem like a lottery. How can you improve your chances of getting a lease?
source: theguardian.com
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September 12, 2026
Opposition leaders critical of five-year housing plan
source: cbc.ca
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September 12, 2026
N.S. mother vows to finish late son’s fight for improved income support for tent residents - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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September 10, 2026
Why N.S. rents are still increasing far faster than we saw historically for decades
source: cbc.ca
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September 09, 2026
‘Cruel’: Legal community questions N.S. move to exclude tents from higher income assistance - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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September 02, 2026
Heat warning extended into weekend for Nova Scotia
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 08, 2026
Independent report slams Nova Scotia’s lack of urgency in disability housing reform - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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August 08, 2026
N.S. 'far behind' schedule for remedy to support people with disabilities, report says
source: cbc.ca
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August 08, 2026
N.S. Court of Appeal says province can't deny people in tents enhanced income support
source: cbc.ca
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August 08, 2026
Nova Scotia studying creation of enforcement unit for tenant-landlord disputes
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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August 06, 2026
Wait times for hip and knee replacements in Nova Scotia now shortest on record
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 04, 2026
Nova Scotia renters, landlords face 3-month wait to resolve tenancy disputes
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 03, 2026
N.S. and P.E.I. are getting another new area code. Here’s what it is
source: cbc.ca
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August 01, 2026
Halifax apartment fire triggers alarm over building management
source: cbc.ca
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August 01, 2026
Landlord charged with voyeurism after hidden cameras found in Calgary rental properties
source: cbc.ca
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July 12, 2026
A Toronto social housing complex stood empty for 18 years. Now it's been revived
source: cbc.ca
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July 11, 2026
Toronto social housing complex revived after standing empty for 18 years
source: globalnews.ca
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July 11, 2026
Vulnerable communities seek respite from Nova Scotia heat wave
source: globalnews.ca
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July 07, 2026
CBC News: Hundreds of Nova Scotians are on hidden bad tenant lists on Facebook - ACORN Canada
source: acorncanada.org
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July 07, 2026
N.B. working on deal to join federal home-retrofit program
source: cbc.ca
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July 07, 2026
Questions raised about new Nova Scotia agency amid provincial cuts
source: www.cbc.ca
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July 04, 2026
Queens County wind farm to power public housing in N.S.
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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July 04, 2026
Two-event songwriter series aims to unite N.S. artists mountainside
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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July 03, 2026
Eby compares condo-purchase plan to "liquidation" at below construction costs
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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July 03, 2026
Hamilton has policies governing apartment demolitions. Should Halifax?
source: cbc.ca
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July 03, 2026
Rural homeless shelters in Nova Scotia form ad hoc group in face of public backlash
source: www.cbc.ca
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July 02, 2026
Democratic congressman asks the CFPB to investigate 'rent now, pay later' companies
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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July 02, 2026
Province says new investment helps reduce energy costs for hundreds of homes
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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July 01, 2026
Rural homeless shelters in Nova Scotia form ad hoc group in face of public backlash
source: cbc.ca
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July 01, 2026
Rain Can’t Stop Tenant Power: Nova Scotia ACORN Members Rally Outside Landlord Conference
source: acorncanada.org
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July 01, 2026
Halifax woman faced 'demoviction' from apartment while case was before tenancy program
source: cbc.ca
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June 19, 2026
N.S. housing minister declares special planning areas for housing a success despite low completion rate
source: cbc.ca
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June 19, 2026
Cumberland YMCA pitching 36-unit affordable housing project
source: cbc.ca
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June 19, 2026
Opposition leaders say N.S. needs better tenant protections after woman's apartment demolished
source: www.cbc.ca
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June 19, 2026
N.S. partners with local groups on home-share program for people with disabilities
source: cbc.ca
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June 18, 2026
Community housing the key to ending N.S. housing crisis 'now and forever,' says advocate
source: cbc.ca
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June 18, 2026
Halifax tenant says building was partly demolished while she waited for tenancy ruling - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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June 18, 2026
Where is Nova Scotia’s homelessness prevention strategy?
source: cbc.ca
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June 17, 2026
Low vacancy, high rents continue to make Halifax hard for renters - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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June 16, 2026
Canada household debt: Nova Scotia family ‘overwhelmed’ by expenses
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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June 15, 2026
Halifax rental market continues to have low vacancy rate, new numbers show
source: cbc.ca
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June 15, 2026
N.S. says it’s on schedule to move people with disabilities out of institutions - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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June 13, 2026
Landlord-tenant hearings will soon be resolved over the phone
source: www.cbc.ca
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June 13, 2026
Nova Scotia highest in Canada for average apartment rental rates
source: halifax.citynews.ca
•
June 11, 2026
Nova Scotia bucks the rental trend as supply-and-demand pressure keeps prices high
source: globalnews.ca
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June 09, 2026
Landlord hasn't paid the mortgage? Know your tenant rights in event of power of sale
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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June 09, 2026
Tiny giants: Why Nova Scotia Honeycrisp apples appear smaller right now
source: www.cbc.ca
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June 08, 2026
PEI tenant who lived without power for months gets damage deposit back
source: www.saltwire.com
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June 08, 2026
Housing tribunal orders Montreal landlord to pay $160,000 to two evicted tenants - Montreal Gazette
source: montrealgazette.com
•
June 05, 2026
Opposition say repeated N.S. rental housing concerns are a sign of government inaction
source: www.cbc.ca
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June 05, 2026
Affordable housing group buys Wolfville building, will prioritize student renters
source: cbc.ca
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June 01, 2026
One of Canada’s largest landlords says it’s pausing new developments in the 'near term'
source: www.cbc.ca
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June 01, 2026
Nova Scotia MLA Becky Druhan joins Liberals
source: www.cbc.ca
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May 12, 2026
CBRM lease-to-own waterfront deal sparks calls for more transparency
source: cbc.ca
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May 08, 2026
Rents continue to rapidly climb for Nova Scotia's oldest and most affordable rentals
source: cbc.ca
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May 07, 2026
Game developers launch indie studio in Nova Scotia
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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May 04, 2026
Paper phonebooks still sent in Nova Scotia -- for now
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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May 04, 2026
Australian hiker missing in Nova Scotia national park not heard from for two weeks
source: www.theguardian.com
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May 02, 2026
‘Barely a street’ in Dubbo without trees poisoned by pesticides, NSW Greens say – as it happened
source: www.theguardian.com
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May 01, 2026
‘60 days to vacate the land’: Maple syrup producer in sticky battle with Nova Scotia
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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May 01, 2026
Shovels in the ground to build Shannon Park affordable homes
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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April 23, 2026
Nova Scotia's provincewide ban on entering the woods was unreasonable, court rules
source: www.cbc.ca
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April 21, 2026
What are your rights as a tenant if your building is under construction?
source: www.cbc.ca
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April 16, 2026
Halifax drops plan to require affordable housing units in new buildings
source: cbc.ca
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April 15, 2026
No cougars in Nova Scotia, province says, despite reported sightings and rumours - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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April 11, 2026
SNP pledges 'first refusal' for tenants to buy private rental homes
source: bbc.com
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April 11, 2026
Ex-adult film actress Stormy Daniels to perform twice in Nova Scotia
source: www.saltwire.com
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April 05, 2026
Workers quit emergency care for Nova Scotia’s most vulnerable after CRA audit
source: www.cbc.ca
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April 03, 2026
N.S. Legislature reopens to the public, with conditions, after week of restricted access
source: cbc.ca
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April 03, 2026
Halifax landlords owning thousands of units report lower annual rent increases in 2025
source: www.cbc.ca
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April 02, 2026
Tenants of Truro-area landlord repeatedly left without water, heat
source: cbc.ca
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April 02, 2026
Houston says ‘only solution’ for Nova Scotia Power rates is more competition
source: cbc.ca
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April 01, 2026
Nova Scotia Power strives to convince skeptical premier of coal plant refinancing plan
source: cbc.ca
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April 01, 2026
Student unions at 4 Nova Scotia universities to strike next week
source: www.cbc.ca
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March 16, 2026
N.S. developer ordered to remove 2 extra storeys he built without permission
source: cbc.ca
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March 14, 2026
This Toronto couple bought a house sight unseen in rural Nova Scotia during the pandemic. Did they stay?
source: www.saltwire.com
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March 07, 2026
Seniors at independent living facility outraged after housing authority ends in-house care
source: cbc.ca
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March 06, 2026
Grade 9 student attacked by masked intruders at Nova Scotia high school
source: www.cbc.ca
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March 05, 2026
Heated Rivalry cottage in Canada will soon be up for rent
source: bbc.com
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March 05, 2026
Historians dispute proposed Nova Scotia law claiming 'birthplace' of ice hockey
source: www.bbc.com
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March 05, 2026
Ontario and Nova Scotia to allow direct-to-consumer alcohol sales between provinces
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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March 04, 2026
Disruptive snow on the way to Nova Scotia
source: www.cbc.ca
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March 04, 2026
N.S. government increases budget for community housing programs
source: cbc.ca
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March 04, 2026
Nova Scotia landlords say reduced Halifax Water hike still too high for renters
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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March 03, 2026
New bill increases fines, enforcement powers for illegal cannabis in Nova Scotia
source: www.cbc.ca
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March 01, 2026
Competitor to Nova Scotia Power gets $200M boost from Ottawa
source: www.cbc.ca
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March 01, 2026
Another electricity provider coming to Nova Scotia
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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March 01, 2026
Province to expand authority to intervene in Halifax housing decisions
source: cbc.ca
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March 01, 2026
Government of Nova Scotia: Land for Housing Program
source: centre.support
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March 01, 2026
LETTER: Landlords say little meaningful action in P.E.I. to protect rental providers, tenants
source: www.saltwire.com
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March 01, 2026
This tenant’s fight against a renoviction is heading to N.S. Supreme Court
source: www.cbc.ca
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March 01, 2026
Nova Scotia should license landlords
source: www.policyalternatives.ca
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March 01, 2026
Opinion: Nova Scotia should license landlords
source: www.saltwire.com
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February 15, 2026
Nova Scotia studying creation of enforcement unit for tenant-landlord disputes
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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February 12, 2026
Rent at $828 preserved in Halifax thanks to provincial money
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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February 12, 2026
Faculty groups question CBU housing plan with nearly a third of residences empty
source: cbc.ca
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February 11, 2026
Some Nova Scotia Power customers aren’t paying because they don’t trust their bills
source: www.cbc.ca
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February 10, 2026
Moncton non-profit pivots to 'missing middle' in rental housing
source: cbc.ca
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February 07, 2026
Former Nova Scotia health care CEO sentenced for defrauding children’s hospital
source: globalnews.ca
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February 06, 2026
How 3 small Nova Scotia towns improved their finances
source: www.cbc.ca
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February 06, 2026
How 3 small Nova Scotia towns improved their finances
source: cbc.ca
•
February 05, 2026
Down payment for first-time homebuyers drops to 2% under N.S. pilot program
source: cbc.ca
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February 04, 2026
Nova Scotia's credit rating downgraded amid deficit concerns
source: www.cbc.ca
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February 02, 2026
Increased demand prompts N.S. to top-up housing assistance program
source: cbc.ca
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February 02, 2026
Cut profits, cut spending and an independent review – Premier Houston's ideas for Nova Scotia Power
source: cbc.ca
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February 01, 2026
Nova Scotia fixed-term lease loophole to remain in place despite some abuse: official
source: www.cbc.ca
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February 01, 2026
What's the affordable housing vacancy rate in Nova Scotia? No one knows for sure
source: cbc.ca
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February 01, 2026
This ‘landmark’ Nova Scotia castle is back up for sale. The price has gone up
source: globalnews.ca
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January 17, 2026
Assembly of N.S. Mi'kmaw Chiefs buys land put up for sale near sacred petroglyphs
source: cbc.ca
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January 17, 2026
Nova Scotia slashes reliance on hotels as housing stopgap
source: cbc.ca
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January 17, 2026
N.S. property values climb eight per cent to a record $200 billion - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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January 14, 2026
Report finds tenants' rights at risk in Nova Scotia, issues go unaddressed
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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January 12, 2026
'It's amazing': Saskatoon apartment complex offers supportive housing, harm reduction
source: cbc.ca
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January 10, 2026
Nova Scotia boy killed in dog attack remembered for bright smile, kindness
source: globalnews.ca
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January 08, 2026
Nova Scotia Power still trying to hike residential rates
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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January 08, 2026
N.S. community mourns boy who died after dog attack
source: www.cbc.ca
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January 07, 2026
Amnesty International joins fight for Nova Scotia dump site cleanup and safe water
source: www.cbc.ca
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January 07, 2026
Nova Scotia youth has life-threatening injuries after attack by 3 dogs: RCMP - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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January 07, 2026
Nova Scotia Power wants to hike residential rates, premier says utility out of touch - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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January 07, 2026
‘A no-brainer’: Why some U.S. health-care workers are moving to Nova Scotia
source: www.cbc.ca
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January 06, 2026
Nova Scotia landlords say reduced Halifax Water hike still too high for renters
source: www.ctvnews.ca
•
January 03, 2026
Report finds tenants' rights at risk in Nova Scotia, issues go unaddressed
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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January 02, 2026
Nova Scotia Power explains estimated billing as customers charged hundreds more than usual
source: www.cbc.ca
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January 01, 2026
Top 20 baby names in Nova Scotia in 2025
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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January 01, 2026
Halifax’s rental registry goes online two years after creation
source: cbc.ca
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January 01, 2026
Nova Scotia Cold War bomb shelter: Doomsday condos
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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January 01, 2026
Lunenburg town council halts development of municipal lands
source: cbc.ca
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December 19, 2025
Nova Scotia’s population dips for the first time since 2020
source: www.cbc.ca
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December 19, 2025
Nova Scotia’s strong population growth has tapered off for the first time since 2020 - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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December 19, 2025
RCMP not aware of fentanyl in illegal cannabis in Nova Scotia, despite premier's claims
source: www.cbc.ca
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December 18, 2025
Limited lymphedema care is available in Nova Scotia. But not for this woman
source: cbc.ca
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December 18, 2025
Nova Scotia’s population dips for the first time since 2020
source: cbc.ca
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December 18, 2025
Nova Scotia Power billed customer $500 for a cottage that’s had power shut off for a year
source: www.cbc.ca
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December 16, 2025
Nova Scotia teams up with federal government to build hundreds of new homes
source: cbc.ca
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December 16, 2025
Energy board to investigate Nova Scotia Power billing issues from cybersecurity breach
source: cbc.ca
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December 15, 2025
Nova Scotia teams up with federal government to build hundreds of new homes - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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December 15, 2025
Renters consider leaving N.L. after no-fault eviction ‘upheaved’ their lives
source: cbc.ca
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December 15, 2025
Sask NDP pushes for rent control as Premier Moe touts affordability at real estate event
source: cbc.ca
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December 13, 2025
Nova Scotia announces 4 new locations for public housing
source: www.cbc.ca
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December 12, 2025
Portion of Antigonish development to address second-stage housing shortage
source: cbc.ca
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December 12, 2025
Affordable apartment complex in North Bay, Ont., brings students and seniors together
source: cbc.ca
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December 10, 2025
Novus: Build-to-rent operator expands into Sydney's lower north shore with $290 million Chatswood complex
source: smh.com.au
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December 08, 2025
Class action launched against Nova Scotia Power over data breach, alleged overbilling - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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December 08, 2025
Tiny homes developer asks court for exemption from rules governing most N.B. landlords
source: cbc.ca
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December 02, 2025
Tenants are suffering: An urgent call to strengthen Nova Scotia’s rent subsidy program
source: www.policyalternatives.ca
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December 02, 2025
Pressure on renters higher in N.S. than any other province, analysis finds
source: cbc.ca
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December 02, 2025
Halifax man faces eviction following year of complaints to property management company
source: cbc.ca
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November 18, 2025
Nova Scotia proposes two-year extension to five-per-cent rent cap until end of 2027
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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November 16, 2025
Tenants, landlords will have separate forms when disputing security deposits
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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November 16, 2025
Low vacancy rate giving landlords ‘the upper hand’ over renters
source: www.saltwire.com
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November 09, 2025
N.S. municipalities talk benefits, challenges of short-term rentals
source: cbc.ca
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November 08, 2025
N.S. NDP leader becomes housing critic, says government doing nothing to solve crisis
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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November 08, 2025
Report finds tenants’ rights at risk in Nova Scotia, issues go unaddressed
source: www.ctvnews.ca
•
November 02, 2025
Ontario scraps controversial plan that threatened evergreen leases
source: globalnews.ca
•
November 01, 2025
Minister Fraser announces new program to help Nova Scotia tenants get free legal support - Canada.ca
source: www.canada.ca
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October 01, 2025
Nova Scotia government promises to help Halifax tenants without power for two weeks - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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September 13, 2025
Nova Scotia government promises to help Halifax tenants without power for two weeks - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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September 12, 2025
One year later, still no residential tenancies enforcement unit in N.S.
source: www.cbc.ca
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September 11, 2025
Tenants in Halifax apartment building left without power for over a week
source: cbc.ca
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September 11, 2025
Use of fixed-term leases for hundreds of tenants in N.S. public housing 'concerning,' says lawyer
source: www.cbc.ca
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September 11, 2025
Nova Scotia NDP says tenants of Halifax apartment building without power for 10 days
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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September 10, 2025
Nova Scotia government promises to help Halifax tenants without power for two weeks
source: www.ctvnews.ca
•
September 10, 2025
Tenants in Halifax apartment building left without power for over a week
source: www.cbc.ca
•
September 09, 2025
Requiring rent in advance is illegal in Nova Scotia. But it keeps happening - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
•
September 06, 2025
Nova Scotia public housing waitlist hits 8,200 people
source: cbc.ca
•
September 04, 2025
Nova Scotia proposes extending five per cent rent cap until 2027
source: atlantic.ctvnews.ca
•
September 02, 2025
Nova Scotia landlord who struggled to evict tenants seeks reform of system
source: atlantic.ctvnews.ca
•
September 02, 2025
Large landlord expects tenant turnover will offset slower rent growth in Atlantic Canada
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 25, 2025
Advocates for landlords, renters call for better enforcement of Residential Tenancies Act
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 17, 2025
Nova Scotia fixed-term lease loophole to remain in place despite some abuse: official
source: cbc.ca
•
August 17, 2025
With out-of-control rents, why is the Saskatchewan government allergic to rent controls?
source: www.policyalternatives.ca
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August 16, 2025
N.S. rent cap extension useless due to fixed-term lease loophole, housing advocates say
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 13, 2025
Tenancy board dismisses N.S. senior's claim asking for help with leaky ceiling
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 13, 2025
N.S. landlord charged with extortion after allegedly threatening tenants - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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August 11, 2025
This N.S. landlord is out thousands from one tenant — and he's not alone
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
Nova Scotia's first land-for-housing project opens, 4 years after program launched
source: cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
Tenants, landlords give input on rental cap extension in Nova Scotia
source: atlantic.ctvnews.ca
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August 11, 2025
Repeat rent-dodger damages lives of N.S. landlords, brings call for system reforms - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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August 11, 2025
N.S. landlord who struggled to evict tenants seeks reform of system - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
•
August 11, 2025
Nova Scotia makes changes to Residential Tenancies Act - Halifax
source: globalnews.ca
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August 11, 2025
Nova Scotia introduces new online forms for landlords, renters making security deposit claims
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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August 11, 2025
$10K fines proposed for N.S. landlords who make units unlivable as eviction tactic
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
There's a fine built into Nova Scotia's Residential Tenancies Act. It has never been used
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
Ending a tenancy? Nova Scotia clarifies the rules
source: halifax.citynews.ca
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August 11, 2025
Tenants in Nova Scotia can now refuse in-person property showings
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
What Nova Scotia's residential tenancy changes mean for you
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
Landlords and tenants alike raise concerns about extension of N.S. rent cap
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
Nova Scotia studies creation of enforcement unit for tenant-landlord disputes
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
Advocate says N.S. enforcement team for rental problems would help landlords, tenants
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
Advocates disappointed Nova Scotia won't legislate tenancy enforcement unit this year
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
N.S. announces changes to residential tenancies program
source: www.ctvnews.ca
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August 11, 2025
Tenants of Halifax mobile home park set water meter precedent across Nova Scotia
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
Halifax tenants in 'precarious housing situations' band together to fight renovictions
source: www.cbc.ca
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August 11, 2025
Need help with a rental issue in Nova Scotia?
Facing eviction, a withheld deposit, or unsafe living conditions? Get connected with a Nova Scotia tenant rights attorney for a free, no-obligation case review.
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Helpful Resources
Guides
Official Resources (NS)
Start with the handbook. For applications and hearings, use the official links above.
