November 6, 2024
Today, Leader Zach Churchill unveiled the Nova Scotia Liberal Party’s policies for renters.
“One third of Nova Scotians are renters, and they are being left behind by Tim Houston’s short-sighted policies,” said Churchill. “Current rent protections are hurting those they’re supposed to help. Our plan will deliver a better deal for renters that is more fair for everyone and based on facts.”
A Better Deal for Renters is supported by five key factors:
- Establish Better Rent Control to Protect Renters: Right now, Tim Houston can change the rent cap on a whim–and that’s bad for everyone. A Nova Scotia Liberal government will implement a fairer system where the cap is based on inflation, market conditions, and vacancy rates on a regional basis until adequate housing supply is reached and there is a healthy vacancy rate of 3%.
- Close Fixed-Term Lease Loophole: A Nova Scotia Liberal government would end fixed-term lease abuse by ensuring that landlords cannot offer tenants fixed term leases longer than one year. Extensions beyond the fixed term would automatically transition the lease to month-to-month.
- Establish a Provincial Rent Bank: Everyone experiences emergencies–and that shouldn’t cause people to worry about losing their home. A Nova Scotia Liberal government will establish a rent bank, a low-cost, high-value program that can provide quick turnaround, zero-interest loans to renters that find themselves stuck.
- Reverse the Harsh Cuts to the Rental Supplement: In 2023, Tim Houston raised the cut-off for rental supplements from the 30% it was under the previous Liberal government to 50%. A Nova Scotia Liberal government would reverse that.
- Establish a Residential Tenancies Enforcement Unit: Despite recommendations to establish a Residential Tenancies Enforcement Unit to deal with tenancy disputes–and support from both landlords and tenants to do so–Tim Houston’s government decided not to implement one. A Nova Scotia Liberal government will implement a Residential Tenancies Enforcement Unit.
“As the party’s housing critic, I’ve had many important conversations with both tenants and landlords. I’m confident that our plan will fill the gaps that are needed in this volatile housing market, and I’m excited for Nova Scotians to see it,” said Bedford South Candidate Braedon Clark.”