New tenancy rules in Nova Scotia means landlords may be able to serve eviction notices quicker, if a new bill tabled in the legislature, passes.
The proposed rules would allow landlords to start the eviction process three full days after rent has not been paid, instead of the current 15.
This is in addition to extending the 5 per cent rent cap to December 31, 2027.
This news is not only disappointing but shows the Houston government is not really serious about solving the housing crisis, according to the chair of the Dartmouth chapter of ACORN, Timothy Allenby.
He tells us they are worried that landlords will use these new rules as a reason to evict tenants at a higher rate, in order to get around the rent cap.
“Because the rent cap is currently tied to the lease, not the unit. All you need to do to raise the rent to whatever you’d like is to end the current lease. And right now, there’s nothing stopping landlords from doing that with fixed-term leases as they are.”
Allenby says they have contacted hundreds of tenants and about one third of them were genuinely worried they would not be able to stay in their unit until their fixed-term lease was up.
In addition to that, no one was offered a choice between fixed-term, month-to-month or year-to-year.
“People are so squeezed right now that they feel the need to sign whatever leases are put in front of them, whether that’s in their interest in the long term or what.”
Rent cap extension, welcomed
Although, they are worried about evictions, Allenby says the extension on the rent cap is welcome.
However, he adds, 5 per cent is still above inflation and is the highest in Canada.
“And without the fixed-term lease loophole being closed, all of this just seems to add up to, you know more turnover of tenants, more people turfed out and rents accelerating higher.”
What they want
What ACORN is calling for is to change what they call, the fixed-term loophole.
This would be to have a fixed-term lease automatically turn into a month-to-month lease, unless the tenant submits notice to quit.
In addition, make sure landlords looking to evict, need ’cause’ to do so.
Allenby says changing the number of days required for an eviction notice doesn’t address the ‘real’ issue.
“I think essentially this is kind of throwing the landlords a bone to you know, basically go yes, we’re extending the rent cap. But also, here’s a little treat for you as well. It doesn’t really help any systemic issue.”
ACORN is planning a rally to fan fixed-term leases this Thursday at 9 a.m., outside Province House.
Legal Aid Services disapproves
Dalhousie Legal Aid is reeling at the government’s new tenancy laws.
In a statement, Community Legal Worker, Mark Culligan says, the shortened notice and response timelines will make things more difficult for tenants.
Culligan says he ‘shocked’ the government’s response to a housing crisis, is to make it easier to evict.
“Tenants evicted for non-payment of rent will be forced to find alternative accommodations in a historically tight rental market. It is likely that this change will directly lead to an increase in the number of tenants evicted into homelessness.”
The bill was tabled in legislature last week.
