Filing a Form J
The Form J is the general form to apply to resolve a dispute between a landlord and a tenant. It can be filed by either a landlord or a tenant. The Form J can be filed online or by going to an Access Nova Scotia location.
The reasons for a tenant filing a Form J are as follows (can select multiple):
I want to end the tenancy. (Termination of tenancy)
I have moved out and I want my security deposit returned. (Return of security deposit)
I want the landlord to follow the conditions of the lease and/or the Act. (Compliance with the lease or the Act)
I want the landlord to carry out repairs. (Repairs)
The landlord is evicting me, and I want to dispute it. (Setting aside a notice to quit given by the landlord)
I want my rent reduced due to landlord actions or inaction. (Payment of money: relief from rent owing)
I want to be reimbursed for expenses incurred. (Payment of money: compensation for expenses incurred)
I want something else addressed that is not in this list. (Other)
Before selecting Other, make sure your request is not covered by another form. All residential tenancies forms are listed on the government’s website.
You need to pay a $31.15 filing fee to file a Form J. This can be paid online or by going to Access Nova Scotia and filing out an Application Drop-off Payment Form. If you are on income assistance, GIS, disability, or below a certain income threshold you can apply to have this fee waived by filing a Form DR4: Waive Residential Tenancies Application to Director Fee. You will need one of the following:
Guaranteed Income Supplement statement.
Income Assistance statement of direct deposit payment statement.
Social Assistance statement or direct deposit statement.
A letter outlining the reasons you should get your fee waived and supporting documentation (like an income statement).
To file a Form J, you will need information about your situation (a quick description, details of Notices to Quit or other forms, security deposit amounts, lease information, landlord contact information, details of money paid, etc.) but this is not where you submit evidence, only basic details. To file online, you also need an account with Nova Scotia’s online service.
When you file the Form J, you will get a package from Residential Tenancies that has a copy of your application and all supporting documents, a Form L1: Certificate of Service, and information with your hearing date, adjudicator, and deadlines for serving documents and submitting evidence.
You will need to serve the other party (in this case, usually the landlord) with the Form J and all other documents and then file the Certificate of Service with Access Nova Scotia within 7 days of filing the Form J. If you do not serve documents properly, your hearing can be thrown out. See Serving Documents for more information.
