September 27, 2023

Rent-to-own Agreement: Best Practices and Key Considerations

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 […]

A New Municipal Era – Less Talk, More Action?

Now that two provincial governments have taken steps to streamline municipal decision-making on priority issues, maybe it’s time for municipal governments to consider whether, in the public interest, they themselves should examine ways to streamline other municipal processes. In both Ontario and Nova Scotia, provincial governments have dramatically changed the balance of power, ensuring that, […]

January 25, 2022

The Future of “Reno-viction” in Prince Edward Island

The phenomenon known as “renoviction” has garnered much attention on Prince Edward Island in recent years. On November 17, 2021, the Province of Prince Edward Island passed Bill 122, which implemented a two-year moratorium on the ability of landlords to evict tenants to renovate their occupied units. While the government of PEI is currently in […]

Landlord Protection Against Frequent, Short-Term Sublets

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 Eviction Moratorium and Rent Deferral

The real estate industry in Nova Scotia has been greatly affected by COVID-19. Consequently, the Nova Scotia government announced several initiatives intended on supporting Nova Scotia businesses and residents including an eviction moratorium and a rent deferral program.

At the Very Lease…What to Know Before you Sign a...

It’s exciting when your business grows beyond the family basement (or your dining room table) and is ready to take up commercial space of its own. Leasing space, whether a storefront or an office, is a sign of business legitimacy, sustainability, and growth. Like any contract, a commercial lease sets out the terms that the […]

March 6, 2017

Illegal Drugs in the Workplace: The Test to Establish Possession

The possession and use of illegal drugs in safety-sensitive workplaces continues to be a prevalent issue in Canadian labour law.