Nova Scotia Common Area and Parking Lot Lighting Rules

Safety & Security Nova Scotia published June 14, 2025 Flag of Nova Scotia

Proper lighting in rental building common areas and parking lots is a crucial part of tenant safety and building upkeep in Nova Scotia. Well-lit spaces reduce accidents, deter crime, and ensure tenants feel secure coming and going at any hour. This article explains the legal standards for lighting, your rights as a tenant, and what you can do if lighting concerns aren’t addressed.

Why Lighting Matters: Safety, Security, and Habitability

Under Nova Scotia’s rental laws, landlords are responsible for providing safe and suitable accommodation. This includes keeping common areas and parking lots well-lit to minimize hazards and discourage vandalism or theft. Proper lighting is considered a core part of a building’s maintenance and directly affects tenants’ health and security.

  • Lighting in hallways, entrances, stairs, laundry rooms, and lobbies keeps these areas safe and accessible.
  • Outdoor and parking lot lighting is essential for personal safety, especially at night or during winter months.

What Are the Lighting Requirements?

Nova Scotia law does not specify exact minimums for brightness (lux/foot-candles) in most residential rental buildings. However, the maintenance standards found in municipal by-laws and the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) require landlords to keep common areas in a good state of repair and ensure safety for all tenants.[1]

Most municipalities—including Halifax Regional Municipality—enforce property maintenance by-laws that state common areas must have adequate lighting at all times. In practice, this usually means:

  • Light fixtures in every hallway, entry, stairwell, and shared indoor space, operational at all times when the area is in use.
  • Outdoor lighting covering main entrances and parking areas, mounted high enough to deter tampering.
  • Replacement or repair of burnt-out or broken lights promptly.
If lights are out or too dim in your building’s shared spaces, report the issue in writing to your landlord or property manager right away. This creates a record if further action is needed.

Who Ensures Lighting Rules Are Followed?

The Residential Tenancies Program is the provincial body responsible for rental housing disputes and enforcement. Tenants can apply to this program if lighting issues are not resolved and affect their safety or ability to use the premises.

Municipal inspectors also have authority to order repairs or improvements if a landlord does not provide adequate lighting in accordance with local building and fire codes.

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities

  • Landlords: Must maintain all fixtures in good working order and replace broken lights promptly. They are responsible for wiring, fixture repair, and providing bulbs for common areas.
  • Tenants: Should report outages or damaged lights as soon as possible and avoid interfering with electrical systems.

For a more detailed breakdown of responsibilities, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained.

Ad

If Lighting Is Unsafe: What Tenants Can Do

If your landlord doesn’t address lighting problems in common areas or parking lots, you have several options for action:

  • Make a written request for repairs—include details and dates.
  • If there’s no response within a reasonable time, inform your local Municipal Compliance Office to request an inspection.
  • If the issue remains unresolved, you can apply to the Residential Tenancies Program for dispute resolution.

Health and safety concerns in rental buildings are common. Learn more about how to address them in Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

How to File a Complaint with the Residential Tenancies Program

If you need to escalate the issue, you can file a formal complaint. The essential form is the Application to Director (Form C).

  • When to use it: When the landlord does not repair lighting after reasonable requests and the issue affects your safety or ability to use the rental property.
  • How to use it: Download the Application to Director (Form C) [PDF], fill it out with details of your complaint and evidence (photos, copies of requests), and submit it to Service Nova Scotia.

For emergency situations involving immediate hazards, contact your municipal fire department or police, as well as informing the landlord.

Related Tenant Rights in Nova Scotia

Lighting requirements are part of the broader rights and protections for tenants in the province. For a full overview on what you’re entitled to, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nova Scotia.

Want to browse well-maintained rentals with safe amenities? Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme and access listings with detailed features and photos.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting in Nova Scotia Rentals

  1. Are landlords required to provide lighting for parking lots and hallways?
    Yes, landlords must maintain functioning lighting in all common indoor and outdoor areas to ensure tenant safety and comply with property maintenance standards.
  2. What can I do if my building’s exterior or hallway lights don’t work?
    Report the issue to your landlord in writing first. If repairs aren’t made in a reasonable timeframe, you can file a complaint with your municipality or use provincial forms for dispute resolution.
  3. Does Nova Scotia law specify a minimum brightness for lighting?
    No specific brightness value is written into provincial law, but lighting must be "adequate" to allow safe passage and deter hazards.
  4. Can my landlord ask tenants to pay for light bulbs in shared spaces?
    No, landlords are responsible for providing and replacing bulbs and fixtures in all common areas.
  5. Who enforces lighting safety rules in Nova Scotia rentals?
    The Residential Tenancies Program and municipal inspectors enforce lighting and other maintenance standards in rental properties.

Key Takeaways for Nova Scotia Tenants

  • Landlords must keep all common areas and parking lots well-lit and safe for tenants.
  • Report lighting problems quickly and keep records of your requests.
  • Apply to the Residential Tenancies Program if concerns are not resolved.

Prompt reporting and awareness of your rights will help maintain a safe living environment for everyone in your building.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

  1. Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Act, S.N.S. 1990, c. 11
  2. Halifax Property Maintenance and Occupancy Standards By-law, By-law M-200
  3. Residential Tenancies Program – Service Nova Scotia
  4. Service Nova Scotia – Tenant Resources

Categories

Tenant Rights & Responsibilities Rent & Deposits Leases & Agreements Moving In / Out Maintenance & Repairs Evictions Roommates & Shared Housing Discrimination & Accessibility Utilities & Services Affordable Housing & Subsidies Dispute Resolution & LTB Safety & Security Privacy & Entry by Landlord Special Tenancy Situations Tenant Insurance & Liability Post-Eviction Resources Landlord Compliance & Penalties Legal Precedents & Case Summaries Mental Health & Tenancy
Bob Jones
Bob Jones

Editor & Researcher, Tenant Rights Canada

Bob writes and reviews tenant law content for various regions. They’re passionate about housing justice and simplifying legal protections for tenants everywhere.

Related Articles