Renovations are necessary and important for landlords to maintain and improve their properties. Improvements also benefit tenants in the long run. In many cases, vacant possession is necessary to complete the work, which displaces the current tenants in an already difficult housing market. As such, the government regulates “renovictions” – evictions for the purpose of […]
Rent-to-own agreements have become an increasingly popular option for individuals seeking to transition from renting to homeownership. These agreements allow renters to lease a property with the option to purchase it at a predetermined price after a specified period. While they can provide a flexible path to homeownership, rent-to-own agreements are not without their legal […]
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – particularly for construction. Whether it is a new build or a renovation, it is costly work prone to surprises. A properly drafted contract will benefit both the owner and the contractor by providing clarity and certainty. The contract should: Clearly define the scope of […]
The pandemic continues to wreak havoc on many industries. Whether it is supply chain issues, employee absences, or rental disputes, those relationships are all governed by contracts. Halifax litigation lawyer, John Boyle outlines recent court decisions and how to assess your own contracts.
As platforms such as Airbnb become ever more popular, tenants will increasingly seek to sublet their units on a frequent, short-term basis – potentially to even turn a profit. Although in principle sublets benefit both landlords and tenants, the unfortunate reality is that if used improperly they can create a major problem for landlords. A recent court decision has provided protection for landlords.
Nova Scotia will soon have an amended and renamed Builders’ Lien Act, which will introduce a prompt payment scheme as well as an adjudication process to be followed in the case of non-payment. Bill 119, the bill to amend the Builders’ Lien Act, received royal assent on April 12, 2019, but will not come into […]
In December 2017, the federal government introduced major changes to maternal and parental employment insurance (EI) benefits.
The Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Matthews v. Ocean Nutrition Canada Ltd., 2017 NSSC 16 (with supplemental reasons at 2017 NSSC 123) recently set out the test in Nova Scotia for determining whether an employee dismissed without cause is entitled to damages for lost future bonuses.