Nova Scotia Maintenance & Repairs: Guide for New Tenants

Moving into a new rental in Nova Scotia? Knowing what to expect with maintenance and repairs is key to a safe and comfortable home. This guide explains essential tenant and landlord responsibilities, how to request repairs, what to do in emergencies, and where to turn for help—so you can confidently address issues in your rental unit.

Understanding Rental Maintenance in Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, both landlords and tenants have clear legal duties around upkeep, repairs, and the habitability of rental units. These rules protect your right to a safe, decent place to live while outlining what you’re expected to do as a tenant.

• Landlords must keep the rental unit in a good state of repair, fit for habitation, and compliant with health, safety, and housing standards.
• Tenants must keep their unit reasonably clean and notify the landlord quickly about any necessary repairs or dangers.

Details can be found in the Residential Tenancies Act (Nova Scotia)^[1]. For a full overview of tenant and landlord legal duties in your province, see Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nova Scotia.

Routine vs. Emergency Repairs

Routine Repairs

Routine repairs are everyday issues that aren’t a health hazard or an immediate threat, like a leaky tap or a broken light fixture. Landlords must fix these within a reasonable time once notified.

• Action: Notify your landlord in writing (email, text, or letter) and keep a copy.
• If delayed, remind them and document all communications.

For more about common repair situations and tips, read Routine Repairs in Rental Units: Tenant and Landlord Responsibilities.

Emergency Repairs

Urgent issues that impact safety or make your home uninhabitable—like flooding, major leaks, loss of heat in winter, or electrical failures—require immediate response from your landlord.

• Contact the landlord as soon as possible.
• If you can’t reach them and the issue is critical, you may be allowed to arrange repairs yourself and seek reimbursement (be sure to keep all receipts and document the situation thoroughly).

Steps for emergencies, including what evidence to keep and your next options, are covered in Emergency Situations and Repairs: Tenant Rights and Responsibilities.

Reporting and Requesting Repairs

When you spot an issue:

• Report the problem to your landlord or property manager promptly in writing.
• Include photos or videos if possible.
• Note the date you reported and any responses you receive.

If the landlord does not fix the issue within a reasonable time, you have the right to escalate the matter by applying to the provincial authority for an order to compel repairs or request a rent reduction.

Official Tribunal and Relevant Forms

Residential Tenancies Program (Service Nova Scotia)

The Residential Tenancies Program is the official provincial body that handles tenant-landlord disputes, repair applications, and enforcement of tenancy law in Nova Scotia.

Main Forms for Repair Disputes

• Form J – Application to Director
  View Form J
  When to use: If your landlord refuses to make needed repairs, you may file Form J to request a hearing and a formal repair order. For example, if your heating is non-functional in winter and your landlord has ignored your request, submit Form J with evidence (photos, communications) to the Residential Tenancies Program.
• Form K – Tenant’s Notice to Quit
  View Form K
  When to use: If your unit is uninhabitable due to the landlord’s neglect (e.g., persistent mold or major health hazards) and repairs remain undone, this form allows a tenant to properly end the lease. Always seek guidance before giving notice.

Full instructions for forms and processes are found on the Residential Tenancies Program website^[2].

Health and Safety Issues

If a repair issue creates a health or safety hazard—such as mold, pests, or broken smoke alarms—your landlord must act urgently. Tenants also have a responsibility to keep the unit clean and to deal with minor issues, but health violations are always the landlord’s duty to fix. For more safety-related details, see Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

Entry for Repairs

Landlords must give 24 hours' written notice before entering your rental unit for repairs (except in emergencies), and entry should occur between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Emergencies allow for immediate access without notice.

Moving In: Protect Yourself with Inspections

When you move in, document the condition of the unit with photos and an inspection checklist. This helps avoid disputes about damage when you move out. For a practical guide, read the Guide to the Initial Rental Property Inspection for Tenants.

Your Rights and Next Steps

Both tenants and landlords are held to standards set by Nova Scotia’s Residential Tenancies Act. If you have an unresolved issue, you have the right to apply to the Residential Tenancies Program for help. In the meantime, keep records, communicate respectfully, and never stop paying rent unless advised by the tribunal.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is responsible for regular maintenance in my Nova Scotia rental?
   Landlords must keep the property in good repair and meet all health and safety standards, while tenants are responsible for cleanliness and minor upkeep.
2. What should I do if my landlord won't fix something?
   Make your repair request in writing. If repairs are not made, document your efforts and submit Form J to the Residential Tenancies Program to request a hearing and order for repairs.
3. Can I withhold rent over repairs in Nova Scotia?
   No, you should not withhold rent. Instead, follow the tribunal process to resolve repair issues—otherwise, you risk eviction.
4. What are emergency repairs, and what if my landlord doesn’t respond?
   Emergency repairs are urgent issues affecting health, safety, or essential services (e.g., heat, water). If your landlord can’t be reached, you may arrange for repair and seek reimbursement, but document everything and use this option only when absolutely necessary.
5. Where can I get more information on tenant and landlord rights?
   See Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nova Scotia for a summary and official resources.

How To: Getting Repairs Handled in Nova Scotia Rentals

1. How do I request a repair from my landlord?
   Always submit your request in writing, detailing the problem and including any photos or evidence.
2. What should I do if my repair request is ignored?
   Follow up once or twice, document all attempts, then submit Form J to the Residential Tenancies Program with your evidence.
3. How do I use Form J for repairs?
   Download Form J, fill it out explaining the repair and your prior attempts, attach evidence, and submit it to the Residential Tenancies Program.
4. How do I document the state of my rental when I move in?
   Take date-stamped photos and complete an inspection checklist, ideally in partnership with your landlord but independently if needed.

Key Takeaways

• Landlords are required by law to perform timely maintenance and repairs in Nova Scotia.
• Document all repair requests and communications in writing.
• Unresolved repairs can be brought to the Residential Tenancies Program using Form J.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancies Program – Service Nova Scotia (forms, processes, contact information)
• Residential Tenancies Act (Nova Scotia)
• Nova Scotia Legal Aid: Offers free legal help for eligible tenants (search "Nova Scotia Legal Aid housing law")
• Local tenant associations and municipal public health offices for urgent safety hazards

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1. Residential Tenancies Act (Nova Scotia)
2. Residential Tenancies Program (Information and Forms)

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