Residential Rental Registry

Starting June 12, 2023, the R-400 By-law will require property owners to register their residential rental properties. These properties are required to be registered by April 1, 2024.

The Residential Rental Registry will provide a clearer picture of the rental landscape in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Currently, the accuracy and detail of available building information is limited. A complete record of rental properties is expected to provide significant benefits for residents occupying these buildings by enhancing the municipality’s ability to provide services where needed. 

How to Register

The Residential Rental Registry process is comprised of three stages:

• Registration: Start the registration process by filling in our online form. 
• Review: The municipality reviews your registration details and will contact you if further information is required. 
• Confirmation: You will receive a registration number that can be used when advertising your rental. 

Registration Deadline

Under the new By-law R-400, Respecting Registration of Residential Rental Properties, rental property owners must register their property(ies) via an online form by April 1, 2024. After April 1, 2024, owners of any unregistered rental properties may face fines of up to $10,000.

If you offer to rent or operate rental housing, you are required to register. This includes both large and small apartment buildings, income properties, single room occupancies, secondary and backyard suites and short-term rentals. Rental housing within a land-leased community will need to be registered.

At this time, the registry will not include residential properties that are licensed by the province under the Homes for Special Care Act or land rented as part of a land-leased community (mobile home park).

An owner of a rental must have a maintenance plan

An owner of a rental must have, and keep current, a maintenance plan for the rental. If an owner operates more than one rental building, a separate maintenance plan is required for each building containing rentals.

A maintenance plan includes a list of all the elements of the rental housing that are regulated by By-law M-200, Respecting Standards for Residential Occupancies (M-200), listing elements that are scheduled to be repaired or replaced.

By-law M-200 outlines the minimum standard to which residential buildings, including rentals, within the region must be maintained. By-law M-200 was recently amended to help clarify the requirements for safety-related maintenance items, such as internal doors, duct and vent inspection, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and emergency lighting.

Creating a comprehensive and updated maintenance plan will aid owners in proactively maintaining their property to help ensure the rental does not become uninhabitable or unhealthy. The maintenance plan is not required to be provided at the time of registration but must be made available on request.

Inspections of the Rental Property

Inspections are not required in order to be registered. Inspections will be conducted when suspected violations related to the By-law M-200, Respecting Standards for Residential Occupancies and By-law R-400, Respecting Registration of Residential Rental Properties are identified. Learn more about the By-law M-200 inspection process.

Are registered rentals considered legal?

Having your property registered under By-law M-200, Respecting Standards for Residential Occupancies does not serve as confirmation of compliance with other municipal, provincial or federal regulations. Rental property owners are expected to ensure their properties comply with all federal, provincial and municipal requirements.

Will the Residential Rental Registry be made public after April 1, 2024?

Some details of the Residential Rental Registry will be made available to the public after April 1, 2024, providing a clearer picture of the rental landscape in the region and empowering renters to make more informed decisions about where to live.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the Residential Rental Registry?

Questions regarding By-law R-400, Respecting Registration of Residential Rental Properties and the Residential Rental Registry can be directed to 311.

Source: https://www.halifax.ca/business/doing-business-halifax/residential-rental-registry