New online process aims to settle N.S. rental disputes
The Province of Nova Scotia is hoping to streamline the process of returning rental security deposits.
Right now, both tenants and landlords complete the same form when the rental provider wants to keep some or all of the deposit or when the tenant doesn’t get back what they feel is a fair amount. This then goes to a hearing.
Soon, both parties will have their own forms and a hearing won’t be needed to make a decision.
“We’re quite confident that this will make a big difference in the lives of tenants because anything that helps tenants is a step in the right direction,” says Lisa Hayhurst, chair of the Dartmouth chapter of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).
Kevin Russell, executive director of the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia is looking forward to the changes, but he’s taking a wait-and-see approach.
“Anything that’s introduced that could help speed up the process and it’s fair and it’s balanced between the landlord and tenant is a good initiative,” Russell says. “Like anything, we have to see the execution of it and see how it unfolds and it lives up to the expectations of what they told us it would be.”
Russell says a security deposit in Nova Scotia is half-a-month’s rent, which is the lowest in Canada.
The rule is an apartment must be left in the same condition when a tenant moves out as it was when they moved in.
“I would say it’s one of the highest conflicts that exist between tenants and rental housing providers,” he says.
Marcus Wells recently found himself in this situation.
“I paid my security deposit and I kept my room clean and I kept my place clean and they just wrote a bunch of stuff when we left like cleaning fee this, damage fee that and they took more than half of my security deposit. I think my security deposit was $350-$400 and I got about $100 back,” Wells says.
Under this new initiative from the province, Wells would have had an easier route to possibly get more of his deposit back.
The new online forms are available starting Aug. 1.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates
W5 Investigates Heists, arson and a baseball bat brawl: the violent side of clothing donation bins
In part three of a four-part investigation into the seedy underbelly of the lucrative clothing donation bin industry, CTV W5's Jon Woodward and Joseph Loiero look into allegations that the industry is rife with organized crime activity.
Four people dead after vehicle crashes into guardrail in downtown Toronto
Four people are dead following a fiery crash in downtown Toronto that happened overnight on Lake Shore Boulevard.
Montreal's mayor is leaving politics, and she's not alone. Is it the toxic climate for women?
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante announced Wednesday she would not seek a third mandate. Her decision has many talking about the demands of municipal leadership, particularly for women.
Canada will cut its permanent immigration levels by at least 20 per cent
Canada will lower the number of permanent immigrants it allows into the country by at least 20 per cent from its previous target of 500,000, CTV News confirmed Wednesday.
CEO of N.B. potato chip company taking 'extended leave of absence' after arrest
The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.
Memorial growing outside Halifax Walmart where employee was found dead
A memorial is growing outside a Walmart in Halifax after a 19-year-old employee was found dead inside an oven in the store Saturday night.
Trudeau says Liberals 'strong and united' despite caucus dissent
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Liberal party is 'strong and united,' despite efforts from within his caucus to oust him as leader.
'Canadians can breathe a sigh of relief': Bank of Canada governor on interest rate cut
The Bank of Canada made a sizable cut to its key lending rate Wednesday from 4.25 per cent to 3.75 per cent as the global economy continues to expand. The half percentage point cut is the fourth rate cut in a row by the central bank as inflation dropped from 2.7 per cent in June to 1.6 per cent in September.
Search efforts begin at Prairie Green Landfill: Manitoba government
A search has started at Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two victims of a serial killer.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Toronto
-
Four people dead after vehicle crashes into guardrail in downtown Toronto
Four people are dead following a fiery crash in downtown Toronto that happened overnight on Lake Shore Boulevard.
-
'Frustrated': Ontario family loses dream home after $38K deposit falls through
It's a dream for many Canadians, trying to save up enough money for a down payment on their very first home. That was also the dream for the Esmeralda family, a family of five with two dogs who currently live in a Scarborough apartment building.
-
'Things are very hard here': Popular Toronto crossing guard asks community for help finding work
He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.
Calgary
-
Contentious housing development raises concerns over creosote, not density
A proposed inner-city apartment complex development by Anthem Properties is raising concerns for some residents of Hillhurst and West Hillhurst.
-
More than 10 million Canadians living in homes with 'high radon,' report says
A new report suggests that Canadians' exposure to a radioactive gas is increasing, putting millions of people at a higher risk of developing lung cancer.
-
Semi-truck hauling cattle rolls over in Calgary leaving 17 cows dead: police
Speed was a possible factor in a Tuesday night rollover involving a semi-truck that left 17 cows dead. In a news release Wednesday, Calgary police said officers were called to the area of Stoney Trail S.E. and Macleod Trail S.E. around 8:10 p.m. for a reported rollover involving a semi-truck carrying 95 cattle.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton tow truck operator charged after allegedly failing to return vehicle to owner
An Edmonton tow truck operator has been charged after police say he refused to release a vehicle to its owner.
-
City of Edmonton facing cold reality to replace aging ice arenas
The City of Edmonton has a long road ahead to replace aging ice arenas as demand for ice time increases.
-
Alberta NDP leader encourages people to get vaccinated
The leader of Alberta's Official Opposition rolled up his sleeves for his COVID-19 and flu shots today, opting to receive them in front of media because he's concerned about vaccine uptake.
Montreal
-
WEATHERWEATHER Temperatures to plummet after Montreal's warm start to fall
High temperatures have been trending in Montreal this season, but that could soon come to an end.
-
Five things about Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante, who won't seek re-election in 2025
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante says she will quit municipal politics after serving the final year of her second term, which comes to an end in November 2025.
-
Montreal's Chris Boucher gets more playing time for Raptors after season on bench
Chris Boucher was back, for at least one game. The veteran forward spent most of last season at the far end of the Toronto Raptors' bench, rarely seeing playing time.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING City of Ottawa taking snapshot of homeless population as shelters grapple with rising demand
The City of Ottawa is hoping to learn this week just how many residents in the capital are homeless.
-
Fatal collision on Hwy. 7 in eastern Ontario leaves one dead, others injured
One person has died and others have been injured after a two-vehicle collision involving a tractor trailer and a car on Highway 7 in eastern Ontario, according to police.
-
'It is significant': Ottawa residents react to interest rate cut
Homeowners with a variable rate mortgage in Ottawa can expect to see some savings thanks to a significant rate cut by the Bank of Canada.
London
-
Lighthouse restoration earns volunteers prestigious award
Volunteers with Bruce County’s Marine Heritage Society are riding high. They’ve taken home a prestigious award for restoring a battered lighthouse in Southampton.
-
Isotope production line 'doubling' at Bruce Power
More cancer-fighting isotopes will be produced by Bruce Power thanks to a new partnership between Bruce Power, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, and two international partners.
-
Bush party shooting witness didn't call police immediately: 'I regret it'
Under tough cross-examination at the London courthouse on Wednesday, Rachel Johnson, 21, was asked a number of times why there was a delay in calling 911
Barrie
-
Third suspect in masked armed robbery in Hanover arrested
A suspect in an armed robbery that took place one year ago in Hanover will officially face the court for their charges following an arrest on Sunday.
-
Town bylaw requests Innisfil family move Halloween display but homeowner refuses
A haunted house in the Town of Innisfil is causing a real scare for some people a week before Halloween.
-
Police continue efforts to solve Barrie woman's mysterious disappearance
Barrie police conducted a search on Wednesday of the last place Autumn Shaganash was seen in hopes of giving her family some answers to her mysterious disappearance.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury woman guilty of second-degree murder in gruesome stabbing death
A Sudbury jury has found Felicity Altiman guilty of second-degree murder in the December 2020 stabbing death of a Sudbury man.
-
North Bay pharmacist warns others after fraudsters swapped his bank card, stole $1,500
It only took minutes for North Bay pharmacist Brian Chute to be out $1,500 after fraudsters deceptively swapped his bank card with another.
-
CEO of N.B. potato chip company taking 'extended leave of absence' after arrest
The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.
Kitchener
-
Bloodstain expert back on the stand at Erick Buhr's second-degree murder trial
Detective Robert Hofstetter examined Erb’s home after her death and came to several conclusions based on the blood stains he found there.
-
Psychologist says stabber could have experienced a psychotic break before UW attack
A psychologist who recently assessed Geovanny Villalba-Aleman believes he may have experienced a psychotic break before stabbing three people in a gender studies class at a University of Waterloo.
-
Kitchener prison in lockdown
Corrections Service Canada has confirmed a women’s prison in Kitchener is in lockdown.
Windsor
-
Pickleball passion provokes noise problem for Tecumseh residents
In the Town of Tecumseh, residents and athletes alike are facing a pickleball problem that may prove costly.
-
Windsor Jewish Federation expresses profound disappointment at UWindsor decision
The Windsor Jewish Federation responded on Wednesday evening to a decision by the board of governors for the University of Windsor concerning its agreements with pro-Palestinian protesters.
-
Emergency preparations well underway to meet heightened HAZMAT risk
Windsor Fire and Rescue Services has been working to prepare for heightened HAZMAT risk ahead of relaxed restrictions around the transportation of some hazardous materials across the Ambassador Bridge.
Winnipeg
-
Search efforts begin at Prairie Green Landfill: Manitoba government
A search has started at Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two victims of a serial killer.
-
Sentencing to begin for man who admitted to killing partner, two children
A sentencing hearing is set to begin today for a Manitoba man who admitted to killing his common-law partner and their two young children.
-
Tire falls off car, results in fatal Highway 1 crash: Manitoba RCMP
A 59-year-old man has died following a crash involving three vehicles that started after a tire fell off a car on the Trans-Canada Highway Wednesday morning in the RM of Tache.
Regina
-
Former Sask Party MLA Gary Grewal defends conduct, disagrees with commissioners report
Former Saskatchewan Party MLA Gary Grewal is defending his conduct and disagreeing with a recent report from the Conflict of Interest Commissioner (COIC) – which found he broke rules that prohibit MLAs from being involved with government contracts.
-
Serious collision closes Highway 6 north of Regina: RCMP
Southey RCMP say drivers should expect delays on Highway 6 Wednesday night after a serious crash.
-
Regina police to update public on search for 2023 homicide suspect who's on national most wanted list
Regina police says officers will provide an update Thursday in its search for the suspect of a homicide that took place in the city during the summer of 2023.
Saskatoon
-
Moe, Beck focusing on key constituencies in final days of Sask. election campaign
The race to form government is heating up ahead of the provincial election on Monday. Both the Saskatchewan NDP and the Saskatchewan Party feel they have the momentum as each leader has been focusing on different areas of the province as the campaign trail nears its end.
-
Flair Airlines ending Saskatoon routes in November
Canada's discount airline is suspending operations to and from Saskatoon.
-
Saskatoon mayoral hopefuls outline business plans
The Saskatoon civic election is drawing closer, with mayoral candidates outlining their visions to keep the city competitive and attract businesses.
Vancouver
-
'His friends buried him': Mounties discover truth about dead officer
Legend has it that on a dark evening in 1988, friends of Supt. Joe Atherton quietly buried his body on the site of the old provincial RCMP headquarters in Vancouver.
-
Hundreds of ICBC claims for water-damaged vehicles after atmospheric river slams South Coast
Since the record-breaking atmospheric river hit Metro Vancouver last Friday, 266 drivers have filed ICBC claims for water damage to their vehicles. In some places, flood water was so deep, cars floated away with the drivers still inside, and the engine running.
-
West Vancouver residents frustrated with district's response to storm
Brittany La Torre and her husband Marc moved into their West Vancouver home just six months ago, but after last weekend's storm brought a torrent of muddy water and debris into their basement, knocking out power, they're not sure whether they'll be living in it six months from now.
Vancouver Island
-
Use of force by B.C. RCMP officers raises 'concern' but won't lead to criminal charges
Two B.C. RCMP officers won’t face criminal charges for their use for force that left a man who had been arrested for public intoxication with a concussion, a torn shoulder and a chunk of his hair missing – but they could face professional discipline.
-
Saanich plans safety improvements to intersections and troubled corridors
When 16-year-old Kaydence Bourque was struck and killed in a crosswalk on Cedar Hill Cross Road in Saanich in 2021, the community was shaken to the core.
-
Court reduces prison sentence for man who fired multiple shots into B.C. RCMP detachment
A man who fired at least 19 gunshots at an RCMP detachment in northern British Columbia, narrowly missing officers inside, has won a reduced prison sentence from the province's highest court, which ruled the sentencing judge failed to fully weigh the man's mental illness at the time.
Kelowna
-
B.C. homeowner astounded someone managed to steal one of his prized giant pumpkins
Dave Lindsey began growing giant pumpkins to bring a bit of magic to his grandkids' Halloween.
-
B.C. man gets prison sentence, fine for using fake names to buy guns in the U.S.
A U.S. District Court judge in Montana has sentenced a 27-year-old man from Kelowna, B.C., to 18 months in prison for using fake names to buy guns with the aim of selling them in Canada.
-
2nd-degree murder charge laid nearly 2 years after Kelowna stabbing
Nearly two years after a man was stabbed to death in downtown Kelowna, RCMP have made an arrest in the case.
