News Release Archive
HOUSING/CONSUMER AFFAIRS--RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES REGULATIONS ------------------------------------------------------------ The Department of Housing and Consumer Affairs has introduced changes to the residential tenancies regulations. Housing and Consumer Affairs Minister Eleanor Norrie said, "These changes will benefit tenants and landlords. The amendments give a clearer description of the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants." "The changes include a new standard form of lease, clarification of the definition of the anniversary date for a lease, new provisions for security deposits and a process for the landlord to dispose of personal property that has been abandoned by a tenant," said Mrs. Norrie. The new standard form of lease includes clarification of notice to quit periods, rental incentives, and the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The interest rate paid to tenants on security deposits has been set at one per cent. The new rate reflects the interest rates currently being paid by financial institutions on trust accounts. Under the amended regulations security deposits are to be invested in government backed securities, which include Treasury Bills and government bonds. They can also be deposited or invested with a financial institution that is a member of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Nova Scotia Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mrs. Norrie said these amendments benefit tenants by maintaining the protection of security deposits held by landlords, and benefit landlords by providing them with additonal options for holding deposits. Confusion that has occurred in the past about the anniversary date of a lease has been eliminated by the amendments. Under the new regulations the anniversary date for a lease is the date the term of the lease begins, which is the date the tenant becomes responsible for the rental unit. In the past, disposal of personal property left behind by tenants moving out of a rental unit was left to the discretion of the landlord. The amended regulations include new provisions for dealing with personal property that is left in a rental unit when a tenant moves. In situations where a tenant leaves personal property in an apartment after the tenancy has ended and the tenant has moved out of the unit, the landlord is required to prepare an inventory of this property. A copy of the inventory is then provided to the Department of Housing and Consumer Affairs and is also sent by registered mail to the tenant's new address if it is known or to the next of kind if this has been indicated on the lease. If the personal property is of an estimated value of more than $200, after 60 days the landlord can sell this property at public auction. Mrs. Norrie reiterated that the new residential tenancies regulations should reduce potential disagreements by helping both landlords and tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities. Copies of the new regulations and new standard form of lease are available at any office of the Department of Housing and Consumer Affairs. -30- Contact: Laurel Russell 902-424-4988 jlw Jan. 8, 1996