Province Extends Ban on Ending Leases for Residential Renovations

The Province is protecting renters by extending the ban on ending a residential lease for the purpose of renovations.

“We are extending the ban so our most vulnerable citizens continue to be protected during the pandemic,” said Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services. “With the uncertainty of the pandemic continuing, and with the province still being in a state of emergency, we need to extend this temporary measure to help keep people in their homes.”

The ban was scheduled to end February 1, 2022, or when the state of emergency was lifted, whichever came first. With this change, the ban on ending a residential lease for the purpose of renovations is being extended until the state of emergency ends or the ban is repealed, whichever comes first.

Quick Facts:

• the Province introduced the ban on landlords ending a lease for renovations on November 25, 2020
• the Residential Tenancies Act was amended in October 2021 to enhance tenant protections in situations where the landlord needs to end a lease for the purpose of renovations; the new rules will come into effect when the ban ends
• the temporary two per cent rent cap was extended through legislation until December 31, 2023

Additional Resources:

Ministerial directive on the ban on residential leases for the purpose of renovations:
https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/docs/Direction-of-Minister-Renoviction-of-Tenants-and-Rent-Increase-Cap-28-January-2022.pdf

Amendments Strengthen Tenant Protections and Provide Clarity for Landlords: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20211020004

Legislation Supports Housing Plan, Capping Rent Increases, Addressing Supply: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20211028007

Province Takes Action to Increase Housing, Protect Tenants: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20211020001

Residential Tenancies Program: https://beta.novascotia.ca/programs-and-services/residential-tenancies-program