Dalhousie Legal Aid Service Launches Province-Wide Tenant Survey as part of Housing Research Program
Nearly one third of Nova Scotian households rent their homes, and this number is increasing. Research in other jurisdictions shows that strong tenant protections are an important part of solving the housing crisis. In recent years, there has been an increase in the volume and complexity of Dalhousie Legal Aid Service cases related to residential tenancies. However, at the provincial level, there is little data available to assess whether the Residential Tenancies Program is effective in addressing the issues faced by tenants in Nova Scotia.
That’s why Dalhousie Legal Aid Service is launching a survey of tenants in Nova Scotia today; a key step in addressing data gaps about the needs and experiences of tenants.
“Until now, there has been no independent analysis of Nova Scotia’s Residential Tenancies Program,” said Dr. Hannah Main, program analyst at Dalhousie Legal Aid Service. “This study will help us understand whether the system is working for tenants.”
Results of the survey will shed light on tenants’ access to justice in Nova Scotia and the prevalence of hidden legal issues such as fixed term leases, informal evictions, and landlord harassment.
The anonymous survey is open to people over the age of 19 who have lived in a rental unit in Nova Scotia within the past year, and it asks about their experiences and characteristics as a tenant. Participants will be asked about their living arrangements, any issues or disputes they’ve had with their landlord, and demographic questions including information about income and identity.
For more information and to access the survey, visit https://www.tenantsrightsguide.ca/tenant-survey
Survey results will be shared on the Tenants’ Rights Guide website, and on Dalhousie Legal Aid’s social media pages.
