Back to homeNova Scotia landlord-tenant law,
Landlord laws · NS
Nova Scotia landlord-tenant law,
in plain language.
A quick-reference cheat sheet for Residential Tenancies Act. Plain-language summaries only — always confirm against the official text before you act.
Authority: Residential Tenancies Program
Quick reference
Numbers and notice periods most landlords ask us about in Nova Scotia.
Security deposit
Max 1/2 month rent.
Rent increases
Once per 12 months · capped by RTP annual % (currently ~5%); 4 months written notice.
Tenant gives notice
3 months notice (year-to-year) / 1 month (monthly).
Notice — unpaid rent
15-day notice for unpaid rent.
Notice — for cause
1 month notice for breach.
Ending the lease
Year-to-year requires 3 months notice to terminate; otherwise tenancy continues.
Right of entry
24 hours written notice (9am-9pm).
Not legal advice. This page is a plain-language summary distilled from Residential Tenancies Act. RTA rules change frequently — always confirm against the current statute and your provincial body before acting on any notice, increase or termination.
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