Article Summary
Nova Scotia’s housing supply is being monitored by the government to avoid disruptions as vacancy rates improve. However, the government has not specified how the housing supply would be affected. The Opposition NDP and Liberals have criticized the government for not addressing the problem of landlords exploiting fixed-term leases to jack up rent beyond the cap. Unlike periodic leases, fixed-term leases with new tenants do not have a rent cap in Nova Scotia.
What This Means for You
- Be aware of the government’s stance on housing supply and vacancy rates in Nova Scotia.
- Understand the difference between periodic and fixed-term leases and how it affects the rent cap.
- Contact the residential tenancies program if you think the rules are being broken.
- Advocate for policies that protect renters from exploitative practices by landlords.
- Stay informed about the government’s actions and decisions regarding the housing market.
Original Post
By Keith Doucette
Service Nova Scotia Minister Jill Balser told reporters following a cabinet meeting Thursday that her department is monitoring trends and wants to avoid disrupting the housing supply as vacancy rates appear to be improving. The government has said the province’s vacancy rate has risen over the last year to two per cent from one per cent.
“An unintended consequence is that we wouldn’t want to see anything that is going to impact supply,” said Balser.
However, she did not specify how the housing supply would be affected, under repeated questioning by reporters.
“We have seen the misuse of fixed-term leases and it is extremely disappointing, but again our focus has always been on supply,” she said. The minister stressed that it’s important for people to know what they are getting into before signing a lease.
“For people who find themselves in a situation where they think the rules are being broken, the residential tenancies program is there to help,” said Balser.
But the Opposition NDP and Liberals both said Balser’s explanation for not acting doesn’t make sense.
Interim Liberal leader Derek Mombourquette has suggested the government wants to give landlords a loophole to get around the five per cent cent cap that is in place until the end of 2027, a charge Balser denied as “not true” on Thursday.
“I don’t buy this idea that there are unforeseen consequences, I just don’t,” said Mombourquette. “There’s an obvious problem that’s impacting renters across this province … and the government is not acting on it.”
NDP caucus chair Sue Leblanc said addressing a problem that allows landlords to jack up rent beyond the cap is not a government priority.
“People come into my office every single day worried about getting evicted or not being able to find a place to live when their fixed-term lease runs out,” said Leblanc. “The government’s focus does not seem to be on them … we need to focus on the people that are most vulnerable.”
Unlike a periodic lease, a fixed-term lease does not automatically renew beyond its set end date. The provincial rent cap covers periodic leases and situations in which a landlord signs a new fixed-term lease with the same tenant, but it does not cover fixed-term leases with new tenants.
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Key Terms
- Nova Scotia housing supply
- Vacancy rates
- Fixed-term leases
- Rent cap
- Residential tenancies program
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