Understanding the language of housing is the first step to making informed decisions. From leases to utilities, this section breaks down the essential terms you’ll encounter during your search. Get familiar with the basics so you can navigate conversations with confidence and avoid common pitfalls.
The information in this guide should not be interpreted as legal advice, and is provided for informational purposes only. If you’re in need of legal advice, contact your local legal aid provider.
Apartment: A unit within a building.
Assignment/Lease Takeover: This is when someone who’s currently renting passes their lease to a new tenant (the assignee). The new tenant signs a new lease with the landlord, and the original tenant is no longer responsible.
Bachelor/Studio Apartment: A small, self-contained unit that’s ideal for one person. It usually combines the living and sleeping areas with a kitchen and bathroom.
Basement Apartment: An apartment located below ground level. These are often cheaper but may have issues with light and moisture.
Co-Signer: A person who signs the lease with the tenant and agrees to pay if the tenant cannot. This is often needed if the landlord is unsure about the tenant’s financial stability.
Damage Deposit: Also called a security deposit, this is paid before moving in (up to half of one month’s rent). It covers potential damage to the property and is refunded if the place is in good condition when you move out.
Guarantor: A guarantor agrees to cover the rent if the tenant can’t pay, and must be a resident of Canada. This is similar to a co-signer, but they don’t need to sign the lease.
House Rental: Includes various types of houses, which generally offer more space and access to outdoor areas compared to apartments.
Landlord: The person or company that owns the rental property and rents it out to tenants. They’re responsible for maintaining the property.
Lease: A legal agreement between you and the landlord that sets out the terms of renting the property. It includes things like rent amount, duration, and maintenance responsibilities. There are various types of leases:
- Fixed-Term Lease: A lease with a specific start and end date. It could be for one year, but it could also be for a shorter or longer period of time. It does not renew automatically, which means you do not need to give your landlord notice if you don’t want to renew the lease. It also means that your landlord does not need to give you notice if they are not going to renew the lease.
- Annual (Year to year) Lease: This type of lease automatically renews for another year at the end of the current term. Your landlord cannot end an annual lease except under specific circumstances (and with the approval of the Residential Tenancy Board). If you want to end your annual lease, you need to provide your landlord with three (3) month’s notice prior to your lease’s anniversary/renewal date.
- Month-to-Month Lease: This type of lease is exactly the same as an annual lease, except that you only need to provide your landlord with one (1) month’s written notice in order to leave.
- Written Lease: A formal document that outlines the lease terms and conditions. It is legally binding and can only be changed in writing. The most common written lease is the Standard Form of Lease.
- Verbal Lease: A verbal lease is a verbal agreement. Legally, a verbal lease gives you the same rights and responsibilities as if you had signed a written lease. However, it is much harder to prove the terms of a verbal lease. You should always try to ensure you have a written lease.
- Notice: A written notification needed to end a lease or make major changes to the rental agreement. The notice period depends on the lease type.
Rent: The payment made to occupy a property. It can be used as a noun (the payment) or a verb (the act of paying).
Rental Application: A rental application is a form required by landlords to assess a potential tenant’s suitability. It typically requires personal details, rental history, financial information, and references. It is illegal for landlords to charge application fees.
Rental Property: Any property available for rent.
Residential Tenancies Act (RTA): The law in Nova Scotia that covers rental housing. It explains the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords.
Roommate: Someone who shares a rental unit with you. This includes people sleeping in the same room, but also people sleeping in separate rooms but within the same unit. Roommates may share common areas and responsibilities related to the unit.
Short-Term Housing: Temporary places to stay, like hotels, Airbnbs, or hostels, where you pay nightly or weekly.
Sublet: Subletting involves the tenant renting out their unit to someone else (subtenant) for a period. The primary tenant remains responsible for the rent and any damage caused by the subtenant. The landlord must approve the subletting arrangement and may charge a fee (up to $75) for costs related to the new tenant.
Tenant: A person who rents a property from a landlord. Tenants have specific rights and responsibilities as outlined in their lease.
Tenant Insurance: Insurance that covers damage to the rental property and your personal belongings. It’s useful for protecting against unexpected problems.
Utilities: Essential services such as heating, water, and electricity that may be included in the rent or billed separately.