News release

Changes to Personal Property Registry Act Introduced

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Changes to Personal Property Registry Act Introduced


Proposed changes to the Personal Property Security Act will, if passed, eventually make it easier for people thinking of buying a used car or boat to find out if there is still money owing on it.

The changes would enable the province to build an Internet-based search tool for the Personal Property Registry (PPR), which would give consumers easy access to its database. The service is some time away from operating, but Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Peter Christie said legislative changes are required in order to build it.

"Once completed, this new online service would make it easier for consumers to check for liens against certain items, such as cars, they wish to buy," Mr. Christie said.

The PPR is an online system through which someone -- often a bank or other creditor -- registers an interest, or a lien, in a property such as a car or a boat. Currently, consumers can search the PPR online but only at a Registry of Deeds. There is one registry located in every county.

In 2002, more than half of the PPR users surveyed said they would be interested in an Internet-based search tool. Roughly three quarters of the respondents said they would use the system to search whether there was a lien on a vehicle.

Discussions are now underway between all of the Atlantic provinces that would make the proposed system available throughout the region.

Another change would allow financial interests in equipment used in the offshore industry to be registered in the PPR. This amendment merely moves the same provision from another act, and mirrors similar legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador.