Your rights as a student renter in Nova Scotia
Rachel Ward | CBC News | Posted: September 6, 2016 9:30 AM | Last Updated: September 6, 2016
'I have seen some students live in very poor conditions,' says Collette Robert
Renting as a student can be a hard maze to navigate. You might be fairly new to renting — and maybe even brand new to Nova Scotia.
"Being a student, I find it's always stressful when it comes time to rent out a new unit," Students Nova Scotia head Collette Robert said.
The key is to learn your rights under the Residential Tenancies Act and do your research, said Robert, a student at Saint Mary's University.
Here are some tips about your rights as a student renter:
1. Rent
If your landlord said your rent is going up, remember that in Nova Scotia, there are specific rules about that.
On a year-long lease, your landlord can only raise rent on your anniversary date — and with four months' notice.
Any other increases are in violation of the Residential Tenancies Act, so if you're faced with that, push back or call the tenancy board, Robert said.
Even changes to bills can be considered a rental increase. For example, if heat is included in your lease, and the landlord tells you to start paying for that bill, that change constitutes a rental increase with the same rules.
However, unlike other provinces such as British Columbia, there is no cap on how much the landlord can raise your rent.
2. Security deposit
In Nova Scotia, the landlord can only charge you a maximum of half a month's rent as a damage deposit. There's no such thing as a pet deposit, either.
That damage deposit is supposed to be returned at the end of the rental, but your landlord may want to keep part of it to repair damage or for unpaid rent.
First, the landlord must return your deposit within 10 days of the lease ending. If they want to keep all or part of it, they must fill out an application within 10 days to do so.
The landlord cannot keep your deposit for damage that's "ordinary wear and tear," according to the act.
Issues with security deposits are near the top of Robert's list of issues students have with landlords.
"They end up getting stuck in a position just based off of not knowing, and then they don't get their deposit back," Robert said.
She recommends taking photos when you move in and when you leave, to have independent documentation of the unit's condition.
3. Repairs
Your landlord must keep your apartment or flat "in a good state of repair and fit for habitation," according to the tenancy act.
But if it's not — you need to call your landlord.
"I have seen some students live in very poor conditions, sometimes even being rented out a closet to live in," Robert said.
She said she's seen students settling for low quality housing because of the price, especially given how renting while paying tuition can be "very difficult."
If the issues aren't fixed, speak to the tenancy board.
4. Leaving
If it's time to find a new place, be sure to check the rules. You are responsible for the rent for the full length of the lease.
For a year lease, you must give three months' notice to leave. Otherwise, the landlord can assume you want to renew for another year.
5. Looking for new places
And shop around for a new place, Robert said.
"I've seen some international students come here and ... they pay a much higher amount, for example, than I do," Robert said.
She said she's seen a bachelor apartment go to a local renter for $650 that might be rented for $1,000 to a person from out of town.
View as many places as possible, research average rents and talk to friends, staff at the school and even the tenancy board to avoid inflated rental prices.
The tenancy board, the province, student unions and tenant advocacy groups, such as Acorn Nova Scotia, often can provide support when navigating renting as a student in Halifax.