Renting out property in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia has a temporary 5% annual cap on rent increases for existing tenants, in place until December 31, 2027. Security deposits are capped at half a month's rent, and separate pet deposits are not allowed. Landlords who want to keep any part of a deposit must file a claim with the Residential Tenancies Program within 10 days of the tenancy ending.
Rent increases
- Rent control
- Temporary rent cap: 5% per year for existing tenants until December 31, 2027
- How often
- Once every 12 months, and not in the first 12 months of a tenancy
- Written notice
- At least four months' written notice for monthly and yearly tenancies (eight weeks for weekly), stating the amount of the increase and the date it takes effect
- Current guideline
- 5% maximum per year until December 31, 2027. It applies when an existing tenant renews, including a new fixed-term lease for the same unit; it does not apply to new tenants signing a new lease.
Security deposits
- Maximum
- Half of one month's rent. You cannot ask for more when the rent goes up.
- Who holds it
- The landlord, in a trust account
- Interest
- Owed at the province's published rate, which has been 0% since January 1, 2013. The province's calculator handles older deposits that earned interest.
- Returning it
- Within 10 days after the tenancy ends, return the deposit or file a Security Deposit Claim (Form R) and serve the tenant. If you do not file in time, the tenant is entitled to the full deposit.
- Pet deposits
- Not allowed: landlords cannot charge an extra deposit for pets
Other essentials in Nova Scotia
- Entry: written notice at least 24 hours and not more than 30 days before entry, stating the purpose and date, with entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. unless the tenant agrees otherwise. No notice is needed in an emergency.
- Lease copy: give the tenant a signed lease and a copy of the Residential Tenancies Act (paper, electronic or a web address) within 10 days. The Act's statutory conditions apply whatever the lease says.
- Non-payment: since April 30, 2025, you can serve notice three days after rent is due; the tenant then has 10 days to pay, leave or apply to the program.
- Grounds for ending a tenancy include three late payments, criminal behaviour, disturbing others and extraordinary damage.
- Email: landlords must give tenants their email address if the tenant has provided one.
How Propvara helps NS landlords
- Track each deposit with its trust account reference in tenancies and deposits, with alerts for any deposit that has no holder recorded.
- Rent change history shows each tenant's last increase date. Province-aware rent increase checks and notices will test the 5% cap and four-month notice.Coming soon
- Timestamped photos and history on every repair case support a Form R claim.
- Track rent supplement contracts with agency and tenant portions that change over time.
Nova Scotia landlord questions
How much can I raise the rent in Nova Scotia?
Up to 5% per year for an existing tenant until December 31, 2027, with four months' written notice for a monthly or yearly lease.
Does the cap apply to fixed-term leases?
Yes, when the same tenant renews or signs another fixed-term lease for the same unit. It does not apply to a new tenant signing a new lease.
Can I take a pet deposit?
No. The only deposit allowed is a security deposit of up to half a month's rent.
What if I want to keep part of the deposit?
File a Security Deposit Claim (Form R) within 10 days after the tenancy ends and serve the tenant. Otherwise the tenant is entitled to the full deposit.
Official sources
- Nova Scotia: Rent cap facts (PDF)
- Nova Scotia: Security deposit claims (PDF)
- Nova Scotia: Security deposit interest calculator
- Nova Scotia: Standard Form of Lease regulations
- Nova Scotia news: Changes to the Residential Tenancies Program (April 2025)
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the Residential Tenancies Program (Service Nova Scotia) or a lawyer before acting.
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