Requiring rent in advance is illegal in Nova Scotia. But it keeps happening
Global News
A Nova Scotia tenant is speaking out about paying rent in advance -- a policy that advocates say is increasingly being enforced by landlords despite being illegal.
A Nova Scotia tenant is speaking out about paying rent in advance — a policy that advocates say is increasingly being enforced by landlords despite being illegal.
And they’re calling on provincial party leaders, who are in the midst of a election campaign, to commit to stronger enforcement measures that protect tenant rights.
“I think that too many people are getting away with this stuff,” said Jesse Cyr. “It’s just really disheartening to see them getting away with all this, honestly.”
Cyr, 21, and his boyfriend moved into a new apartment in Dartmouth last month. When signing all the paperwork and submitting banking information, they paid what they thought was a security deposit along with first month’s rent.
“They asked for $2,400 up front. We assumed that this was a first month’s rent and security deposit, Like usually it would be,” he explained.
“And then two weeks later, when we moved in, they took out another $1,600.”
The couple had their second charge reversed by turning to their bank. They emailed their rental company for answers because application fees and rent in advance are illegal according to the province’s Residential Tenancies Act.
“We’re already paying an arm and a leg. We’re paying them $2,400 just to live there for one month. And then they took, like $4,000 in total from us. Right? That’s a lot of money,” said Cyr.
