News Release Archive
HOUSING/CONSUMER AFFAIRS--RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES REGULATIONS
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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.
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Contact: Laurel Russell 902-424-4988
jlw Jan. 8, 1996