Bill 77: Residential Tenancies Act (amended)

This bill directly affects residential landlords in Nova Scotia — whether they own a single rental unit or manage a larger portfolio of properties. If a tenant invokes the domestic violence early termination provision, the landlord is now obligated to re-enter a tenancy agreement with the surviving tenant(s) on the exact same terms as before, and must coordinate a lock change on the unit. Landlords cannot renegotiate rent or terms in this situation, which limits their ability to adjust to market conditions after a tenancy disruption. The practical day-to-day impact involves responding to tenant requests promptly, arranging locksmith services, and documenting the new tenancy arrangement properly.