NDP push for urgent action on rising rents at legislative committee

HALIFAX – On Tuesday, the NSNDP will bring witnesses to the Community Services Committee to discuss the difficult situation facing renters and the need to close the fixed-term lease loophole that’s allowing rents to continue skyrocketing.

While renters in Ontario, BC, Alberta and Quebec are seeing their rents go down, Nova Scotian rents are still increasing and recently saw the biggest increase of any province.

“Renters in our province are paying more than they can afford for their homes and prices keep going up,” said Suzy Hansen, MLA for Halifax Needham. “I hear from people who are scared they’ll be forced to move at the end of their lease and won’t be able to find somewhere new in their budget. People gave the Houston government the benefit of the doubt and believed he would help make homes more affordable, but with prices continuing to go up, renters are giving up and moving to other provinces where they can see a future for themselves and their families.”

Fixed term leases are driving up the cost of housing in our province by forcing people to move more often. Rents increased 29 per cent last year for renters who moved into a new apartment. That’s six times higher than the Houston government’s 5 per cent rent cap

“We know fixed term leases are making it impossible for renters to get ahead. And as long as the Houston government refuses to close the fixed-term lease loophole, rents will continue to skyrocket beyond what people can afford,” said Lina Hamid, MLA for Fairview-Clayton Park. “Families want a secure place to live so they can put down roots. Instead, they’re being forced to move and pay higher rents when they do. The Houston government could fix this today by putting real rent control in place and closing the loophole. They should have done this already.”

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