Nova Scotia Landlord Required Disclosures: What You Must Provide Tenants

Nova Scotia law requires landlords to provide specific information and documents to tenants at various stages of the tenancy. Failure to comply can result in the tenant gaining the right to terminate the lease by giving notice. Recent amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act have also formalized requirements for electronic communication and landlord contact disclosure.

Mandatory Disclosures

1. Copy of the Residential Tenancies Act

Landlords must provide each tenant with a free copy of the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) within 10 days of the earliest of:

• The lease start date
• The date the tenant signs the lease
• The date the keys are delivered

The copy may be provided in paper or electronic format — a web link to the official legislation is acceptable. Failure to provide a copy of the Act as required is a violation of provincial regulations.

Landlords must provide a copy of the signed lease to the tenant within 10 days of signing. Both the landlord and tenant should retain copies. Failure to provide a copy of the lease as required is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act.

3. Landlord Contact Information

Landlords must include the following contact information in the lease (or provide it in writing within 10 days of signing):

Any changes to this contact information must be provided to the tenant in writing within 30 days.

4. Standard Form of Lease

All residential tenancies must use the provincial Standard Form of Lease (Form P). The statutory conditions contained in the Standard Form of Lease apply to every tenancy, even if the parties used a different lease agreement or only a verbal agreement. Landlords must ensure tenants receive a copy of this form.

5. Security Deposit Information

When collecting a security deposit, landlords must inform the tenant:

• The exact deposit amount (maximum 50% of one month's rent)
• That the deposit will be held in a trust account
• That interest will be paid annually or at the end of the tenancy
• The process for claiming deductions at the end of the tenancy

Additional Disclosure Obligations

Rent Increase Notice

Landlords must provide at least 4 months' written notice before increasing rent. The notice must specify:

• The current rent amount
• The new rent amount
• The effective date of the increase
• That the increase does not exceed the 5% cap (while the cap is in effect)

Entry Notice

Landlords must provide at least 24 hours' written notice before entering a tenant's unit for non-emergency purposes. The notice should include:

• The date and approximate time of entry
• The reason for entry

Exception: In genuine emergencies (e.g., fire, flood, gas leak), immediate entry without notice is permitted.

Changes to Services or Facility

If the landlord plans to make changes to the services or facilities included in the rental agreement, the tenant must be notified in advance with reasonable notice.

Disclosure Timing Summary

Best Practices for Landlords

1. Build disclosures into your onboarding process — Create a checklist of all required disclosures and complete them before or at move-in
2. Use the Standard Form of Lease — Don't rely on custom agreements that may miss statutory requirements
3. Keep proof of delivery — Have tenants sign an acknowledgment of receipt for the RTA and lease copies
4. Update contact information promptly — Set a reminder to notify tenants within 30 days of any changes
5. Provide rent increase notices early — Don't wait until the last moment; give yourself a buffer beyond the 4-month minimum
6. Use email for electronic delivery — Email provides a built-in record of delivery dates

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How Landager Helps

Managing properties in Nova Scotia requires navigating a complex legislative landscape, including strict notice requirements and mandatory disclosures. Landager's comprehensive platform protects NS landlords by automating the distribution of required documents and tracking compliance deadlines. The platform handles the precise 15-day arrears window required before a Form D can be legally served, ensuring your eviction procedures are always compliant. From managing security deposit trust account records to facilitating the statutory return timeline, Landager provides a digital safety net that shields you from the complexities of the Residential Tenancies Program.