Tenant Guide to Renting a Mobile Home or Land-Lease in Nova Scotia

Renting a mobile home or leasing land in a land-lease community is a unique experience for tenants in Nova Scotia. Understanding your rights, legal protections, and responsibilities under Nova Scotia’s residential tenancy laws can help provide stability and security while living in these communities. This article explains key points for tenants in mobile home parks and land-lease situations, including relevant legislation, official forms, and practical tips.

Legal Protections for Mobile Home Tenants in Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, tenants renting a mobile home or a lot in a land-lease community are protected under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). This legislation governs landlord and tenant rights, eviction processes, maintenance, and rent rules.

• Mobile Home Parks: These are communities where tenants own or rent mobile homes and lease the land on which their home is placed.
• Land-Lease Arrangements: You may rent just the land for your mobile home or sometimes rent both the unit and land from the same landlord.

The Nova Scotia Residential Tenancy Program—administered by the Department of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services—handles tenant disputes and tenancy matters. Learn more about tenant rights at Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nova Scotia.

Your Lease: What’s Different in Land-Lease Communities?

Agreements in mobile home parks may differ slightly from standard residential apartment leases. Key areas include:

• Lease terms and renewals—Mobile home park agreements often run for a fixed term but may automatically convert to month-to-month unless notice is given.
• Rules specific to the community—Your lease may outline park bylaws about yard maintenance, pets, parking, or modifications to your unit.
• Who maintains what?—Your lease should specify whether the landlord is responsible for common areas, roads, and park infrastructure or if you have certain responsibilities as the mobile home owner or renter.

Keep a signed copy of your lease and review all community rules carefully. If you need tips after signing your agreement, see What Tenants Need to Know After Signing the Rental Agreement.

Deposits, Rent, and Rent Increases

Security Deposits

Landlords in mobile home parks may request a security deposit (sometimes called a damage deposit), but it cannot exceed half of one month's rent. Be sure to get a written receipt for any deposit paid.

For more on your deposit rights, visit Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know.

Rent Payments and Increases

• Rent in land-lease communities typically covers your lot rental and may include water, sewage, or snow removal.
• Any rent increases must comply with the Residential Tenancies Act—usually requiring at least four months’ written notice and only once every 12 months for existing tenants.
• Specific rules may apply to mobile home communities, so always request written notice of any rent increase and contact the Residential Tenancy Program if you have questions.

If you need help managing ongoing rent, Tenant's Guide to Paying Rent: Rights, Responsibilities, and Tips has practical advice. You can also Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme if you are seeking other options.

Health, Safety, and Maintenance

Your landlord is responsible for making sure the park is safe and complies with health regulations, including maintenance of roads, park lighting, common areas, water, and septic systems (unless otherwise stated in your lease). Tenants are usually responsible for their own mobile home, but landlords must keep the site fit for habitation.

• Report electrical, plumbing, or hazard issues immediately to your landlord.
• If unresolved, tenants can apply to the Residential Tenancy Program to address persistent health or safety problems.

Stay informed about potential hazards by reading Health and Safety Issues Every Tenant Should Know When Renting.

Official Forms and How to Use Them

Nova Scotia provides standard forms for all rental situations, including mobile home parks. Here are the most important forms you may need:

• Form C—Notice to Quit: Used by tenants or landlords to legally end the tenancy. For example, if you want to move out at the end of your lease in a mobile home park, you submit this form to your landlord. Download Form C
• Form J—Application to Director: If you cannot resolve a dispute with your landlord (like repairs or deposit disputes), you can apply for a hearing with the Residential Tenancy Program using this form. Download Form J

Important: Always keep copies of all forms and related correspondence for your records. Forms can be found on the Nova Scotia Residential Tenancy Program’s official forms page.

Maintenance, Repairs, and Dispute Resolution

If you experience ongoing issues with repairs or park management, several steps can help resolve problems:

• Report concerns in writing to your landlord as soon as possible.
• Keep copies of all communications and records (emails, texts, photos).
• If the landlord does not address the issue, you may file a complaint using Form J with the Residential Tenancy Program.
• The Residential Tenancy Program reviews evidence and may hold a hearing to resolve your dispute fairly.

The Residential Tenancy Program is the official body handling tenant concerns in Nova Scotia. Learn more about the Residential Tenancy Program.

Frequently Asked Questions: Renting a Mobile Home or Land-Lease in Nova Scotia

1. Do tenants in mobile home parks have eviction protection?
   Yes. Evictions must follow standard legal processes outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act. Landlords must provide written notice for valid reasons, and tenants can dispute unfair evictions through the Residential Tenancy Program.
2. How much deposit can a landlord request?
   Landlords may require up to half a month’s rent as a security deposit in Nova Scotia. Always get a receipt and review all terms concerning your deposit.
3. Who is responsible for park maintenance?
   Landlords must maintain park infrastructure, roads, public areas, and essential services. Tenants are responsible for their personal units unless otherwise noted in the lease.
4. What should I do if my landlord does not address repairs?
   Send written notice of the repair issue to your landlord. If unresolved, submit Form J to apply for a hearing with the Residential Tenancy Program.

Summary: Key Takeaways for Tenants

• Nova Scotia’s Residential Tenancies Act protects tenants in mobile home and land-lease communities.
• Deposits and rent increases follow clear legal limits—get notice in writing.
• Use official NS forms for all tenancy changes, complaints, or disputes.
• The Residential Tenancy Program ensures your rights; reach out early if you have concerns.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Nova Scotia Residential Tenancy Program: Inquiries, complaints, and forms.
• General information and tenant support: Service Nova Scotia – Residential Tenancies.
• For information on broader tenant and landlord rights, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nova Scotia.

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1. Residential Tenancies Act, RSNS 1989, c 401. Full legislation (PDF)
2. Nova Scotia Residential Tenancy Program: Official government information
3. Nova Scotia Residential Tenancy Forms: Official forms download page

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