A set of three colorful keys on a keyring, with the keys colored light blue, dark blue, and reddish-orange.
Go Back

Condition Inspection Reports

When you move into a rental unit, make sure you go through the unit very carefully and document everything that is damaged. You should ideally do this with the landlord. Make sure both parties sign and date the report. Even if you don’t care that something’s damaged, the landlord may try to charge you for it or keep your security deposit when you move out.

The government provides a template called the Rental Unit Condition Report Form online or at Access Nova Scotia that you or your landlord can use to report damages and list needed repairs.

If your landlord says that they will fix something while you are going through the unit, make sure you get this in writing and a date that the repair will be done.

  • Some landlords simply do not care enough to do move-in inspection reports. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do one! Never assume that because your landlord doesn’t care about the unit’s condition at the start of your tenancy it means they won’t care at the end.

    • If the landlord refuses to document the state of the unit with you, go through it yourself and with a witness. Take pictures of everything and have you and your witness sign and date them.

    • The tenant has the right to reject unfit premises. If an apartment is not complete and ready for occupancy the landlord should not rent it out, and they can’t claim rent or security deposit as damages if a tenant decides to move out early. (GNF Investments Ltd v Simpson, 2017 NSSM 43)