Can a landlord reject me if I’m on social assistance in Nova Scotia?

No. Landlords in Nova Scotia cannot refuse tenants because they receive social assistance or any legal source of income.

What should I do if I was rejected due to being on government assistance?

Document the incident and file a complaint with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission online or by paper form.

Who resolves rental discrimination disputes in Nova Scotia?

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission investigates discrimination complaints for rental issues based on income.

Does income source protection apply after a lease is signed?

Yes. Landlords cannot discriminate at any stage—application, during the lease, or at renewal—because of your income source.

Can Landlords Refuse Tenants on Assistance in Nova Scotia?

Discrimination & Accessibility Nova Scotia published: June 19, 2025

If you're a tenant in Nova Scotia and receive income assistance, disability support, or other government benefits, you may be worried about discrimination when applying for a rental. It's important to know your rights and how the law protects you against being unfairly denied housing due to your source of income.

Is It Legal for Landlords to Deny Tenants Because They Receive Assistance?

Under Nova Scotia's Human Rights Act, it is illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to someone because of their "source of income," including government assistance, social assistance, disability benefits, or pensions.¹ This protection means that being on assistance cannot be used as a reason to reject your rental application, set different terms, or treat you unfairly during your tenancy.

Source of income covers all lawful means by which you support yourself, including government and social programs.
If you feel you were turned down because of the type of assistance you receive, you may have grounds for a human rights complaint.

It's important to distinguish that landlords can ask for proof of ability to pay rent, but they cannot set stricter rules or larger deposits for tenants on assistance compared to other applicants.

Your Rights Under the Law

Landlords must treat all applicants fairly and equally, regardless of their income source. The Residential Tenancies Act (Nova Scotia) sets out tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities.² Additionally, the Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nova Scotia page offers a helpful overview of rights in your province.

If You Face Discrimination: What To Do

If you believe a landlord has rejected your application because of receiving assistance, you have options. Nova Scotia's Human Rights Commission is responsible for handling complaints about discrimination in rental housing.

How to File a Complaint With the Human Rights Commission

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission takes complaints relating to rental discrimination on the basis of "source of income." Here’s how to get started:

Document what happened: save messages, emails, or ads showing the discriminatory reason.
File a complaint: Use the Online Complaint Form or download a paper version from the Human Rights Commission.
The process is free, and you don’t need a lawyer. The commission will review, investigate, and may resolve the complaint or hold a hearing if needed.

Example: If a landlord advertises “no tenants on assistance,” or refuses to complete your rental application after learning you get support, you can make a complaint to the Commission.

Key Tribunal: Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Program

If your discrimination issue relates to an eviction, notice, or other tenancy dispute (rather than initial rental application), you may need to contact the Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Program, which is part of Service Nova Scotia.

This program manages disputes about deposits, rent, maintenance, and evictions.
For discrimination, your main recourse is still the Human Rights Commission, but tenant-landlord disputes generally go through Residential Tenancies.

Forms You Might Need

NS Human Rights Complaint Form: File if you've faced discrimination. Find it here. Used whenever you believe your rights under the Human Rights Act have been breached.
Application to Director (Form K): Used for tenancy disputes unrelated to discrimination, available here.

Most discrimination complaints about rental denials will go directly to the Human Rights Commission.

How Landlords Can Screen Tenants—What’s Allowed?

Landlords in Nova Scotia can:

Ask for proof you can pay rent, regardless of the income source
Request references
Run legal background checks

They cannot:

Refuse you solely because you’re on assistance
Charge a higher deposit for assistance recipients
Post rental ads excluding tenants based on source of income

For more on rights and processes after you sign your lease, visit What Tenants Need to Know After Signing the Rental Agreement.

If you’re on assistance, be prepared to show proof of income—just as anyone else would. If you ever feel you’re being treated differently, keep detailed notes and ask for written reasons.

Finding Rentals Without Discrimination

Many platforms now make searching easier and more transparent. To expand your options, you can Explore rental homes in your area using a map-based tool that helps you browse listings without bias.

FAQ: Discrimination and Rental Assistance in Nova Scotia

Can a landlord reject me if I’m on social assistance?
No. In Nova Scotia, it is illegal under the Human Rights Act for landlords to refuse tenants based on social assistance or any lawful source of income.
What evidence should I collect if I believe I was rejected unfairly?
Save any written communications, advertisements, or documents where the landlord mentions assistance as the reason, and note the date and time of any exchanges.
Who handles rental discrimination complaints in Nova Scotia?
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is the province's main agency for investigating discrimination relating to rental accommodations.
Does this protection apply if I’m already in a lease?
Yes. Discrimination because you receive assistance is not allowed at any point—applying, leasing, or renewing.
Where can I learn more about all my rights as a tenant?
Visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nova Scotia for a complete overview of your entitlements and protections.

Key Takeaways

Landlords in Nova Scotia cannot deny rental applications based solely on your source of income, including assistance programs.
If you face discrimination, you can file a free complaint with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.
Laws such as the Human Rights Act and Residential Tenancies Act offer important protections for all tenants.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, S.N.S. 1991, c. 12. Read the Human Rights Act
Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 401. Read the Residential Tenancies Act
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission: Official Website
Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Program: Official Website