Most rental housing in Nova Scotia is covered by the Residential Tenancies Act and Regulations (the RTA). These laws and regulations lay out the rules of renting in Nova Scotia and their enforcement. This is commonly referred to the laws governing the “landlord-tenant relationship”. In Canada (except Quebec), we also operate under a Common Law system. This means that previously published legal decisions (“cases”) can inform adjudicators and influence how the law is applied. These factors (legislation, regulation, and case law) make up the laws that govern rental housing in Nova Scotia.

The law is always changing. New cases are decided every day, and governments and elected officials have the power to change or introduce new legislation and regulations.

The Residential Tenancies Program (or “Residential Tenancies”) refers to the government department that deals with landlord-tenant issues. This is run through the Department of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services and governed by the Minister of Service Nova Scotia. You can handle administrative Residential Tenancies matters at Access Nova Scotia.

When you call the Residential Tenancies Program, you are speaking with an administrator at Access Nova Scotia – not a residential tenancies officer, legal worker, or member of the court. These administrators may not be qualified to give you information about residential tenancies matters. To access specialized information about your rental situation, please call Dalhousie Legal Aid at 902-423-8015.