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2021 Nova Scotia Election Survey - Party Leaders Responses to IPOANS Questions
PC leader Tim Houston, Liberal leader Iain Ranking and the NPD party leader Gary Burrill respond to IPOANS questions on industry issues confronting Nova Scotia’s Multi-Unit Residential industry.
5 major Canadian housing REITs launch ForAffordable.ca
In the face of a federal government plan to re-examine the tax treatment of real estate investment trusts (REITs), and economic conditions which make it increasingly challenging to build affordable housing in major urban markets, five of Canada’s largest residential owners/operators have launched ForAffordable.ca.
8 per cent property tax increase recommended for HRM
City staff are recommending an eight per cent increase for residential and commercial property taxes for next year.
After a year, Berlin’s experiment with rent control is a failure
“I worry about Berlin,” says Rolf Buch, a born and bred Rhinelander.
AMANDA KNIGHT: Rent cap a vice-like trap for landlords in Nova Scotia
Earlier this year, I decided to sell one of my multi-unit properties, as I can no longer afford to cover housing costs for my tenants.
Apartment tax assessments skyrocket as Halifax prepares to raise taxes
Over the last eight years, the value of apartment tax assessments has jumped 66 per cent, more than any other sector in the province.
August 2022: Dear Editor
Capping a rent increase at 2% eliminates any option for tenants and housing providers to work together to come up with an affordable housing solution
Berlin’s Rent Control Effort: A One-Year Lookback
Rent control, touted as a strategy to protect residents from rising house prices stemming from demand far surpassing supply...
Better enforcement of tenant/landlord law needed from Nova Scotia government
Laws that are supposed to protect property owners and tenants from abuse need better enforcement from the Nova Scotia government.
Bill 30 - Law Amendments
Because there are some new members to this Committee and to the Legislature, before I speak to Bill 30, I would like to share some background about IPOANS – the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia
Bill 350 – Another Bad Housing idea by the NDP
The latest bad idea is Bill 350 that would make no pet policies in apartment buildings illegal. Service animals for tenants are already protected by the Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Act.
Bill 467 Law Amendments Interim Residential Rental Increase Cap Act
Before rent control was introduced in 2020, Nova Scotia experienced lower rent increases than Canadian jurisdictions like Ontario and BC that had rent control. Since rent control was introduced in Nova Scotia, rents have skyrocketed on newly built units, driving up the overall rental costs.
Bill 467 Law Amendments Interim Residential Rental Increase Cap Act
Before rent control was introduced in 2020, Nova Scotia experienced lower rent increases than Canadian jurisdictions like Ontario and BC that had rent control. Since rent control was introduced in Nova Scotia, rents have skyrocketed on newly built units, driving up the overall rental costs.
Bill 467 Rent Cap Release
HALIFAX – Nova Scotia renters will continue to pay more with the Nova Scotia government’s decision to extend rent control through the end of 2027.
Bill 62 - Law Amendments
Remarks on Bill 62
Law Amendments Committee
November 1, 2021
Broken residential tenancies system forces out another small rental housing provider
Nova Scotia’s chronic failure to fix its residential tenancies system is forcing out another small rental housing provider.
Campaign launched to stop Halifax Water’s 36.6% Hike
A new public campaign called Stop the Water Hike has been launched to mobilize Halifax Regional Municipality residents to oppose Halifax Water’s proposed 36.6% rate hike.
Capital Gains Tax
Federal capital gains tax changes put housing for 3,000 Nova Scotia households at risk.
Chender False Claims
HALIFAX – NDP Leader Claudia Chender claims in last Thursday’s televised debate that rents in Nova Scotia have gone up 70% are false.
Chender NDP uses false and misleading rental info
HALIFAX – NDP Leader Claudia Chender claims in last Thursday’s
televised debate that rents in Nova Scotia have gone up 70% are
false.
City-wide effects of new housing supply: Evidence from moving chains
Housing affordability is a major issue in most cities throughout the world.
Commentary: Nova Scotia already has a law to protest tenants when renovations occur
What’s missing is enforcement and support for tenants
By Kevin Russell
Compliance and Enforcement Unit Decision
Lack of government action on compliance and enforcement makes housing crisis worse.
Current housing crisis worse because of 2% rent cap
It is not surprising that more of our most vulnerable people are having trouble finding a place to live in Nova Scotia.
This is a crisis made worse by politicians and activists that believe that rent control is a solution.
Current housing crisis worse because of 2% rent cap
It is not surprising that more of our most vulnerable people are having trouble finding a place to live in Nova Scotia.
DAVID RAPSON: Rent control is not the answer
Halifax is booming, which is a blessing and a curse.
Energy Release
With massive power rate increases looming and oil and gas prices going through the roof as winter approaches, smaller rental housing providers need emergency financial help from the government to stay open.
Fear campaigns puts housing solutions at risk
False claims from activists about the impact of Nova Scotia returning to a highly regulated, market-based system of setting rents are putting housing solutions at risk.
Finding housing solutions by working together
When Nova Scotians talk about housing, the conversation can take on many different forms.
Five ideas to improve housing affordability & long-term tenancy
Regardless of who wins the next election, Nova Scotia rental property owners are hoping for positive action to improve the availability of affordable housing for Nova Scotians.
Fixed Term Leases Provide Emergency Housing
Fixed term leases vital to providing emergency housing for unhoused.
Four Years of Rent Control Makes Nova Scotia Housing Crisis Worse
There is a misconception that limiting rent increases somehow improves access to housing and makes what housing is available more affordable. In fact, the opposite is true. Simply put, rent control makes owning rental housing unsustainable for many family managed operators.
FP AD Media Release
Nova Scotia investment property owners are speaking out against notices of unfair rental increases being sent out to tenants.
FTL Survey Results
A new survey of rental housing providers by the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia (IPOANS) is highlighting the importance of keeping fixed term leases.
Halifax Regional Council slams the door on public input on $1.2 million landlord registry
Despite Halifax Regional Municipality staff telling Mayor Mike Savage, “We haven’t spoken with landlords recently,” Halifax Regional Council overwhelmingly rejected holding a public hearing on its proposed $1.2 million landlord registry.
Halifax Regional Council slams the door on public input on $1.2 million landlord registry
Link to resource: 5 major Canadian housing REITs launch ForAffordable.ca
Topics: Media Releases
Halifax Water Settlement Agreement
HALIFAX – Municipally owned Halifax Water has slammed the door on a compromise solution to bring down its 36.6% rate application going forward to the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board.
Halifax’s tax increase will make housing more expensive and worsen housing crisis
Halifax Regional Municipality’s proposed 9.7% tax increase will add costs to delivering housing and make the city’s housing crisis worse.
Has The Rental Crisis Hit Rock Bottom?
The Saturday Huddle is a weekly column that features opinion, analysis, and reflections on Huddle stories, podcasts, and business news in the region. Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter based in Halifax.
Higher inflation continues to pound away at private sector rental housing providers
Private sector rental housing providers are calling on the Nova Scotia government for emergency help as new inflation numbers continue to highlight an industry in crisis.
Home Sharing Program raises many questions
The Nova Scotia government’s new province-wide Home Sharing Program raises significant concerns and could create a whole new series of additional problems as the province faces the affordable housing crisis.
Home Sharing Release
The Nova Scotia government’s new province-wide Home Sharing Program raises significant concerns and could create a whole new series of additional problems as the province faces the affordable housing crisis.
How luxury apartment buildings help low-income renters
When affordable housing activists see “luxury” apartment buildings going up in gentrifying neighborhoods they sometimes assume that the apartment buildings are causing the rents to go up.
HRM Tax Hike
Halifax Regional Municipality’s proposed 8% tax hike for its upcoming budget will make the city’s housing crisis worse, said Kevin Russell, Executive Director of the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia.
HRM Tax Hike November 2022
Halifax Regional Municipality’s proposed 8% tax hike for its upcoming budget will make the city’s housing crisis worse, said Kevin Russell, Executive Director of the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia.
HRM Tax Release
Halifax Regional Municipality’s proposal to increase residential and commercial property taxes by 5.9% will be one more blow against rental housing providers, especially small business owner/operators.
Increased Insurance Rates
Nova Scotia investment rental property owners under attack from politicians and activist groups are now facing their best financed opponent yet: insurance companies.
Inflation Release: Nova Scotia rent cap continues to pound small rental housing providers
New inflation numbers released today by Statistics Canada reflect the financial distress for many of Nova Scotia’s 5,000 small rental housing providers.
Investment property owners aim to counter anti-landlord sentiment
Halifax is booming, which is a blessing and a curse. Even before the pandemic, population growth was straining the housing supply.
Investment property owners believe rent control is here to stay
More than 90% of investment property owners don’t believe the government’s promise that the 2% rent cap will be lifted at the end of 2023.
IPOANS Fair Rent Ad
Fair Rent Ad by IPOANS
Is rent control making a comeback?
The 1970s sparked some cultural trends that have since fallen out of favor, such as disco and platform shoes.
It is false for politicians
It is false for politicians, activists or the media to describe fixed-term leases as a “loophole” – fixed-term leases are a legal tool to provide more flexibility and protection to house more people. Protection of existing tenants, protection of existing neighborhoods and protection of existing housing that is not free or even cheap to operate and maintain.
July Inflation Release
Private sector rental housing providers are calling on the Nova Scotia government for emergency help as new inflation numbers continue to highlight an industry in crisis.
Kevin Russell Guest Column
IPOANS recommended the government consider creating a “Rent Bank” to help renters who are unable to pay their rent due to experiencing financing difficulties.
KEVIN RUSSELL: Rent-control decree will drive out landlords — and tenants — in Nova Scotia
Many Nova Scotians who don’t own rental property might be asking themselves: why does it matter?
KEVIN RUSSELL: Student housing crunch predictable, avoidable
Politicians were warned a multi-year rent cap would force out small housing providers
KEVIN RUSSELL: The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board approved a rate increase for Nova Scotia Power of 14% over the next two years
In its 203-page decision, the regulator said: "The board cannot simply disallow N.S. Power's reasonable costs to make rates more affordable. These principles ensure fair rates and the financial health of a utility so it can continue to invest in the system providing services to its customers… N.S. Power's costs must be reflected in the rates."
Landlord registry a $1 million gimmick that will worsen housing crisis
Halifax Regional Municipality’s proposed landlord registry will do nothing to solve the housing crisis and further punishes rental housing providers who must be part of the solution.
Landlord Registry a $1 Million Gimmick What Will Worsen Housing Crisis
Halifax Regional Municipality’s proposed landlord registry will do nothing to solve the housing crisis and further punishes rental housing providers who must be part of the solution.
Landlords looking for co-operation, not confrontation.
We are now two months into facing the economic impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Landlords Worry Rent Cap, Heating Costs Will Drive Mass Rental Unit Sell-Off
The subject of home heating costs has ignited across Canada as winter creeps around the corner, and the federal carbon tax soon to take effect in various provinces. It’s also an issue top of mind for Halifax landlords.
Law Breaking Rental Housing Providers & Tenants
Anybody who provides or lives in rental housing has a responsibility to follow the law, said Kevin Russell, Executive Director of Rental Housing Providers-Nova Scotia (RHPNS).
Low number of “renovictions” in 2022-2023
The actual number of approved renovictions in Nova Scotia is actually very low, according to the Nova Scotia government’s own data.
Media Release NDP 08/09/21
Gary Burrill and the NDP suggesting that investment property owners aren’t “real people” is inflammatory and divisive.
Media Release Rent Control August 12
NDP Leader Gary Burrill is not telling the truth about the impact of rent control across Canada, said Kevin Russell, executive director of the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia (IPOANS).
More talk won’t build the housing Nova Scotians need
A year ago, spurred by the work undertaken by the Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission, the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia (IPOANS) asked the longstanding economic analysis firm Gardner Pinfold to prepare a detailed report on Nova Scotia’s rental housing affordability.
NDP Ideas Will Increase Homelessness, Worsen Housing Crisis
Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia (IPOANS) Executive Director Kevin Russell noted the failure of the NDP’s rent control policies adopted by the previous Liberal government and extended under the current PC government.
New survey shows fixed term leases support affordable rental housing
The majority of fixed term leases go to first-time renters accessing rental housing in Nova Scotia.
New Year, Same Problems for Rental Housing Providers As Costs Continue to Skyrocket
The New Year continues to bring more of the same for Nova Scotia’s rental housing providers. Natural gas rates are going up by 43 per cent on January 31.
Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission
The Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission is looking at the current state of affordable housing in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission
The Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Commission is looking at the current state of affordable housing in Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Power
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board approved a rate increase for Nova Scotia Power of 14% over the next two years.
Nova Scotia rent cap continues to pound small rental housing providers
New inflation numbers released today by Statistics Canada reflect the financial distress for
many of Nova Scotia’s 5,000 small rental housing providers.
OP Response to Alex Stratford, Saltwire
Alec Stratford’s recent submission has major flaws in his arguments on housing. Since he referenced the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia (IPOANS), we felt it important to correct his many incorrect statements.
P.E.I. landlords' group says 0% rent cap for 2023 will force some to sell units
A bill to set rental increases for 2023 at zero per cent across the province passed in the P.E.I. Legislature on Wednesday.
Politicians and Activists Attacking Rental Housing providers Not the Solution
The only way we can solve the housing crisis in Nova Scotia is to work together. Unfortunately, many politicians and self-appointed activists attack the very people who are providing much of the housing in this province.
Porter Response: Nova Scotia Already Has a Law to Protect Tenants
Jacqueline Porter’s latest submission to the Chronicle Herald leaves out a lot of relevant facts about the reality of rental housing in Nova Scotia.
Prime Minister’s renter rights
The Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia (IPOANS) noted that the province’s housing crisis has become worse thanks to bad government policy decisions like rent control, taxes and lack of enforcement for residential tenancies.
Remarks on Bill 262
I recognize that it is not easy finding a balance – especially when the decisions that government makes will often attract criticism.
As Executive Director of the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia, it is an honour to represent responsible private sector rental housing providers.
Rent cap continues to make housing crisis worse
A new survey by the Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia (IPOANS) is showing that the Nova Scotia government’s rent cap is making the province’s housing crisis worse.
Rent cap will expire this year, no extension, minister says
New Brunswick is not extending the rent cap it brought in this year to protect tenants against soaring increases.
Rent Control Anniversary
November 25 marks the 4th anniversary of the introduction of temporary rent control in Nova Scotia.
Rent Control: Academic Research & Articles from Canada, the US & Abroad
Understanding BC’s History of Rent Control and Tax Policy to Improve Today’s Rental Housing Crisis-April 8, 2019.
Rent Control’s Winners and Losers
Go to any booming urban center these days, whether in Boston or Washington or Atlanta, and one thing is certain...
Rent Increase Misinformation
Nova Scotia’s NDP continues to make things up in its misinformation campaign against more than 5,000 small- and medium-sized landlords in the province.
Rental Housing Affordability In Nova Scotia, Gardner Pinfold Consulting
Rental Housing Affordability In NS Gardner Pinfold Report
Rental housing providers continue to be ignored by Houston government
Today’s cost of living announcement by Premier Tim Houston continues to ignore small rental housing providers who are struggling with the double-whammy of a 2% rent cap and skyrocketing energy costs.
Rental Housing Providers Continue to be Ignored by Houston Government
Today’s cost of living announcement by Premier Tim Houston continues to ignore small rental housing providers who are struggling with the double-whammy of a 2% rent cap and skyrocketing energy costs.
Rental housing providers crushed by inflation need emergency help
New inflation figures from Statistics Canada are the latest sign that rental housing providers
need immediate emergency help from the Nova Scotia government.
Rental housing providers crushed by inflation need emergency help
New inflation figures from Statistics Canada are the latest sign that rental housing providers need immediate emergency help from the Nova Scotia government.
Rental property sell-off puts affordable housing at risk
Thousands of Nova Scotians could lose their rental homes as small landlords are preparing to sell their properties.
Response to Rent Control Extendson
Kevin Russell, Executive Director of Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia, issued the following statement on today’s announcement from Premier Tim Houston and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr:
Some cuts may be needed to lower Halifax tax increase
Halifax councillors send budget back to staff with goal of 4% instead of 8% increase to the average property tax bill.
Statement on Nova Scotia Election Result
Kevin Russell, Executive Director of Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia, issued the following statement about the Nova Scotia Election results:
Stop the Rate Hikes Campaign Update
A summer campaign opposing Halifax Water’s massive rate hike proposal has attracted more than 2,300 supporters and counting.
Supreme Court rules on property rights in win for land developers
The Supreme Court of Canada has given developers and property owners a major victory, making it easier for them to sue governments over regulations that remove all reasonable uses of their lands.
Survey says: Rent cap forcing out rental property owners
The Nova Scotia government’s rent cap is the number one reason property owners are selling their rental units.
Survey says: Rent cap forcing out rental property owners
The Nova Scotia government’s rent cap is the number one reason property owners are selling their rental units.
Swiss rent-control model actually drives up rents
The Investment Property Owners of Nova Scotia (IPOANS) researched Switzerland’s rent-control regime.
Switzerland is putting its housing crisis to a referendum
Amid rising rental prices in urban areas, Swiss voters are being asked to decide on a proposal that will impose a 10 per cent minimum...
Taking the fight for property rights to the Supreme Court
The Investment Property Owners Association (IPOANS) is supporting an appeal of a recent Small Claims Court decision that rolls back property rights.
Tenant worried about future as New Dawn sells affordable housing units in Sydney
Meaghan Morrison is worried about the future of affordable housing in Sydney, N.S., after finding out the social welfare agency that owns her apartment building is selling the property.
Tenants' rights advocates, landlords speak out on decision to let rent caps expire
An amendment to the Residential Tenancy Act would not extend the cap past the end of the year.
The Housing and Homelessness Partnership
The Housing and Homelessness Partnership is a collaborative that engages the community at all levels.
The Investment Property Owners Association of Nova Scotia
Bill 62 - Interim Residential Rental Increase Cap Act: 5,400 multi-unit residential units and 3,600 single-family home and duplex rental units are at risk of being eliminated from Nova Scotia's rental market.
The secret behind Halifax’s ability to build purpose-built rental housing at a record pace
Since the early 1970s, purpose-built rental (PBR) housing construction has taken a backseat in Canada to the homeownership market comprising freehold and condominium housing.
Time for housing solutions that work, not schemes that make things worse
As the Nova Scotia legislature resumes on September 5, we expect to hear a lot more talk about housing.
Tough choices ahead: HRM council prepares to grapple with budget
In his final appearance before council after announcing his resignation in the spring, Halifax's outgoing Chief Administrative Officer Jacques Dubé delivered a warning to elected officials about the tough choices they'll have to make in the not too distant future.
University & College Students Finding it Hard to Find Places to Live
As university and college students look for a place to live in Nova Scotia, many are finding it next to impossible to find a place to live. None of this should be surprising, as private sector rental housing providers warned PC, Liberal and NDP politicians last fall what would happen with a multi-year rent cap.
URB Fisher Lohr Release
Rental Housing Providers Nova Scotia is urging the Houston government to clean up a conflict of interest at the new Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board (NSRAB).
Ursula Prossegger - Landlords shut out
Last year, I wrote to The Chronicle Herald about the challenges landlords like me face.
What does economic evidence tell us about the effects of rent control?
Steadily rising housing rents in many of the US’s large, productive cities have reignited the discussion whether to expand or enact rent control provisions.
Who Pays for Rent Control? Heterogeneous Landlord Response to San Francisco’s Rent Control Expansion
Steadily rising housing rents in many of the US’s large, productive cities has brought the issue of affordable housing...
Why Rent Control Isn’t The Answer To Rising Housing Costs In N.S.
As of June of 2020, 91 percent of landlords in the province ran small operations, just renting out a few units each.