This is a bulletin put out by service Nova Scotia. It details the eviction process during the COVID-19 crisis.
Enjoy the read:
Service NS Statement
This is an update on contingency planning for the Residential Tenancies Program as we continue to adapt to the new reality of a global pandemic. As this unprecedented situation continues to unfold, we are committed to continuing to provide service, to the greatest extent possible.
The team has already taken measures to provide our staff, where possible, the ability to work from home in order to promote social distancing and reduce the density within our offices, while still maintaining continuity of service.
IN-PERSON SERVICE
The Access Nova Scotia Centres has suspended their front counter service until further notice. This means new applications will be reviewed and scheduled for emergency residential tenancy hearings only. This measure will help reduce direct contact between our staff and clients as the application process requires in person contact. Hearings already scheduled will move forward.
PROCESS FOR EMERGENCY HEARINGS
We understand that some new hearings must continue. During this time, we will make provisions for hearings that are deemed to be an emergency.
The following situations will be assessed for emergency hearings consideration:
Tenants applications regarding:
Discontinuation of water, heat, electricity or any other essential service
Other situations affecting the standards of health and safety
Landlord applications regarding:
Tenant behaviour/actions that affects the safety of other tenants, landlords and/or landlord employees or landlord property.
We will also be accepting applications where the one-year time frame of when the tenancy ended is within one month. These applications will be accepted to enable landlords and tenants to meet the one-year application cut-off in the Residential Tenancies Act. These applications will be accepted and scheduled at a later time.
If you feel your situation meets one of the criteria above, please call 1-800-670-4357, whereby someone will assist you with your application.
PROCESS FOR HEARINGS ALREADY SCHEDULED
Scheduled hearings will continue to be held over the telephone. Although we have added telephone conference lines and continue to identify ways to improve, there have been issues with the toll-free telephone lines not working. Our Residential Tenancy Officers have the capacity to call parties directly to link into the hearing. We are encouraging all parties having issue connecting to the toll-free number to send an email or leave a voicemail on their assigned Residential Tenancy Officer’s direct telephone line and the officer will assist them in connecting to the call. In situations where both parties are not present the hearing will be postponed.
We encourage you to keep informed of the contingency planning processes in place for other organizations involved in the execution of a Directors Order such as the Small Claims Court and Sheriff’s department.
EVICTIONS FOR TENANTS WHOSE INCOME IS AFFECTED BY COVID-19
There will be no rental evictions due to rental arrears for three months for people whose income has been affected by COVID-19.
During this time all tenants are expected to pay their rent. If a tenant has had their income affected by COVID-19, we encourage landlords and tenants to discuss circumstances to see if an arrangement can be worked out. This change will give tenants time to benefit from recently announced federal and provincial financial aid.
If an arrangement cannot be made, landlords may file for non-payment of rent once the Access Centres counter services reopen. If the tenant or landlord identifies that the tenant’s income has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing will not be scheduled until after June 22, 2020 (three months from the provincial government’s announcement).
At the hearing, the tenant will be asked to provide proof that their income has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. When the hearing is held and if the eviction is granted, the order will reflect all outstanding rent owing.
CONCLUSION
We recognize that service interruptions and delays may occur, although it is impossible to predict to what degree. We will continue to update you on any changes in our procedures as that information becomes available.
For the most up-to-date Nova Scotia public health information and advice, please visit the public health coronavirus (COVID-19) website. You can also watch government’s regular media updates, which are livestreamed.
Please continue to follow the advice of public health, including self-isolating and maintaining necessary social distancing. Together, we will see this through.
Until next time,
Design your landlord experience,
Michael P Currie
Landlord by Design
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