Emotional Support Animals in Nova Scotia Rentals: Tenant Rights Guide

Utilities & Services Nova Scotia published: June 13, 2025 Flag of Nova Scotia

Living with an emotional or mental health disability can present daily challenges. For many tenants in Nova Scotia, emotional support animals (ESAs) play an essential role in their well-being. But are emotional support animals allowed in Nova Scotia rentals, and what rights do tenants and landlords have? This tenant-focused guide answers your most important questions, explains legal protections, and outlines how you can confidently navigate bringing an ESA into your rented home.

What Is an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal provides comfort and emotional stability to individuals with a diagnosed mental or emotional disability. Unlike a service animal (specially trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability), an ESA is not required to have specific training. However, ESAs are recognized under human rights laws as a form of accommodation for certain disabilities in housing.

Nova Scotia Laws and Human Rights Protections

Nova Scotia does not have specific residential tenancy laws about emotional support animals. Instead, the rights of tenants with ESAs come primarily from the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in rental housing based on disability, including mental health conditions.

  • Your landlord must make reasonable accommodations for your ESA if you have a documented need for one. This often means the landlord cannot enforce a "no pets" policy if the animal is genuinely needed for your health.
  • Landlords are entitled to ask for documentation (such as a letter from your regulated health professional) verifying your need for an ESA, but not for details about your diagnosis.
  • Exceptional circumstances (such as allergies of other tenants or unmanageable disruption) might limit accommodation, but these must be justified and are rare.

The Nova Scotia Residential Tenancy Program is the tribunal that handles disputes between landlords and tenants related to rental housing.

Tenancy Agreements, Pets, and Emotional Support Animals

Even if your rental agreement includes a "no pets" clause, human rights law generally overrides this when it comes to support or service animals. However, you are still responsible for your animal’s behavior and any damage the animal may cause. Routine pet policies such as fees or deposits may not be applicable for legitimate support animals as they are not classified as typical pets.

For more information about your rights and obligations after your tenancy begins, check out the Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained guide.

Required Documentation for Approval

The most common requirement from a landlord is a letter or form from your qualified healthcare provider (doctor, psychologist, social worker, or nurse practitioner) describing:

  • That you have a disability or health-related need
  • That an emotional support animal is necessary to assist with that need

Official template letters or forms are usually provided by your healthcare provider, but you may be asked to complete a Request for Accommodation in writing to your landlord. There is currently no standardized provincial form specifically for ESA accommodation, but submitting a clear, signed request with your supporting letter is best practice.

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What Landlords Can and Cannot Do

  • Landlords must respond to your request promptly and cannot simply refuse a valid ESA accommodation without discussing possible solutions.
  • They may not require you to disclose the exact nature of your disability, only that it exists and that the ESA is medically necessary.
  • They cannot charge pet fees, deposits, or surcharges for a support animal.
  • Landlords can require you to ensure your animal is well-behaved and does not disturb others or damage the unit.
If you feel your landlord is being unreasonable or is refusing your legitimate acccommodation request, contact the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission for guidance or to file a complaint.

Filing a Human Rights Complaint If Needed

If a landlord refuses to accommodate your ESA (without reasonable justification), you have the right to file a complaint with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. Be prepared to provide copies of your documentation and a record of all communications with your landlord.

Key Legislation and Official Resources

For a comprehensive overview of your regional entitlements, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nova Scotia.

Common Tenant Concerns: Health, Safety, and Living with an ESA

Tenants with ESAs are expected to maintain health and safety in their unit. If problems arise—such as excessive mess, allergens, or pests—you may be required to resolve the issue or face possible tenancy proceedings. See Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting for more information.

If you are searching for pet-friendly or ESA-friendly rental homes, you can Search pet-friendly rentals on Houseme.ca to explore current listings across Nova Scotia and Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can my landlord deny my emotional support animal if my building has a "no pets" policy?
    Human rights laws generally require landlords to allow emotional support animals, even if a building has a "no pets" policy, as long as you have appropriate documentation of your need.
  2. Do I have to pay a pet fee or deposit for my emotional support animal?
    No. Landlords cannot charge you extra fees, deposits, or higher rent just because you have an ESA.
  3. What documentation do I need for an emotional support animal?
    A letter or note from a qualified healthcare professional confirming your disability-related need for the animal is typical. Landlords may not require details about your diagnosis.
  4. Can a landlord refuse an ESA accommodation request for any reason?
    Only in very limited, justified situations (such as substantiated health or safety risks to others) can a landlord deny an ESA. They must be able to prove the accommodation request would cause undue hardship.
  5. How do I file a complaint if I am denied ESA accommodation?
    Contact the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission and be ready to submit your documentation and correspondence.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Tenants

  • Tenants in Nova Scotia are generally entitled to keep emotional support animals as a disability accommodation.
  • Landlords can require proper medical documentation but must not charge extra fees or deposits for ESAs.
  • If your request is refused, file a complaint with the Human Rights Commission for assistance.

Understanding your rights leads to greater housing stability and well-being.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

  1. Nova Scotia Human Rights Act: Full text of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act
  2. Nova Scotia Residential Tenancy Program: Provincial board and tenant resources
  3. NS Human Rights Commission – Know Your Rights in Housing: Official guidance

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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 renters everywhere.

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