Party pushes for greater protections for renters
Nova Scotia’s New Democratic Party (NDP) has accused the provincial government of siding with landlords at the expense of residents struggling to find affordable housing, the opposition party claimed as it introduced new legislation aimed at addressing the province's ongoing housing crisis.
NDP leader Claudia Chender criticized the Progressive Conservative government, saying it “seems to be more focused on helping wealthy developers than everyday families.” Chender’s remarks came ahead of two housing bills introduced by the NDP, which aim to protect renters and curb the risk of homelessness.
At the heart of the NDP’s criticism is the government's recent housing legislation, which extends the five per cent rent cap until the end of 2027. While the minister of service Nova Scotia said the legislation aims to "balance" the needs of both landlords and tenants, critics, including the NDP, argue that the extension falls short.
Chender pointed out that landlords can still increase rents by more than 5% on fixed-term leases if they sign with new tenants, rendering the cap ineffective.
She further argued that the rules around fixed-term leases create a “financial incentive to evict,” which she says is leading to more people being forced into homelessness.
"[The Tories' housing bill] is a shocking admission from this government that they are more concerned with conversations around landlord profits… than they are about Nova Scotians who are trying to find a home they can afford," Chender said.
Another part of the government’s housing bill, which allows landlords to issue eviction notices after three days of unpaid rent instead of the current 15-day period, also drew Chender’s criticism. She suggested that the change would only make the situation worse for renters already struggling to keep up with housing costs.
NDP’s homelessness task force
The NDP introduced two new bills to address the housing crisis, The Canadian Press reported. The first proposes the creation of a “homelessness task force” to collect data and develop strategies to prevent homelessness across the province.
The second bill aims to protect seniors and low-income renters by restricting evictions during the winter and for those who have lived in their homes for more than 10 years.
Previously, the NDP had also tabled legislation calling for a $500 tax credit for renters and a measure that would tie rent control to housing units rather than individual tenants, a move they believe would offer more stability for renters.
Landlords push back
Earlier this week, landlords defended the fixed-term leases, saying they need flexibility to raise rents beyond the 5% cap in order to maintain their properties and cover costs.
Yarviv Gadish, who manages three properties in the Halifax area, called fixed-term leases “absolutely essential” for ensuring his apartments remain presentable and for getting a return on investment.
Read next: BC tenants fear legal loophole that allows landlords to raise rents
The government’s housing bill does include measures that would clarify conditions under which a tenancy can be terminated. These include criminal behaviour, disturbing other tenants, repeated late rent payments, and severe damage to the rental unit. It also proposes to ban tenants from subletting their units for more than what they are paying in rent.
Make sure to get all the latest news to your inbox on Canada’s mortgage and housing markets by signing up for our free daily newsletter here.
