Renting an apartment is an exciting prospect in theory, but once it becomes a reality, dealing with an un-cooperative roommate or landlord can take the fun out of it.

Roommate issues can often be easily solved. If chores are a problem suggest a chore chart so everyone gets a turn at every chore. If there are enough of you, an extra incentive can be giving one person the week off so everyone has that to look forward to. If late night/early morning noise making is the problem try talking to them about it; it may be something they are unaware of. Living with others can be a challenge so communication and compromise is crucial. Try not to let the small stuff become an issue. Have open discussions about any major problems.

For issues with the landlord or condition of the apartment consulting the Nova Scotia Tenants Rights Guide can be helpful. To help answer some questions that may have come up since September here is a brief look at some of the major issues facing student tenants and what can be done to help amend the problems.

When you toured the apartment before signing the lease it may have seemed like a great place with no glaring flaws. If after living in it for a few months you have started to notice problems that require fixing it is important to know what responsibilities fall on the landlord and what fall on you as the tenant.

Landlords are required to keep rental units in safe, habitable condition and follow Nova Scotia health and housing laws; they are not however, required to repair damage done by tenants or their guests. If there is damage that your landlord has refused to repair or has put off time and time again an HRM by-law enforcer can be called to inspect it and then order the landlord to complete any necessary repairs.

Sub-letting may seem like an easy way out of a lease should you not require the rental property for as long as the lease requires, but if getting a sub-letter is something you plan to do there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, the definition of sub-letting implies that you will be returning to the apartment at some point and therefore you are still primarily responsible for damages. If the rent does not get paid it can be up to you to cover it. If you don’t plan to return you can assign the apartment to someone else through your landlord; that is, they would officially take over your lease.

It is important to note however that a landlord cannot deny you the right to sublet, although they do have a say in who you select. If you select someone who is and has been unemployed for some length of time they can refuse to allow them to move in, but they cannot refuse to allow it based on more superficial circumstances such as they are young or have children.

To protect yourself from unwanted charges it can be a good idea to have the sub-letter sign a lease or provide money to cover the damage deposit. This may detour them from causing damage or not paying rent and if it does not you will have formal documentation to take to the Residential Tenancies Board. It is also important to know that the maximum amount a person can be charged by their landlord for subletting is $25.

If you signed a year length lease and plan to stay only for the one year you are required to give your landlord notice at least three months before the anniversary date of your lease. That is, if you signed a lease for September 1st to August 31st you would have to let the landlord know you do not want to renew near the end of May. It is of great importance that this is done because unless it was a fixed term lease it will automatically be renewed when it reaches the end of the term, leaving you on the hook for another 12 months of rent. The same however is true for landlords; if they are terminating the lease they have to give tenants at least 3 months notice on a yearly lease.

Landlords can evict tenants for non-payment of the rent, although it is illegal to provide notice of eviction until 30 days (on a yearly lease) have passed without rent being paid. After that 15 days notice is required before tenants must move out. For bad or unsafe behaviour however the warning periods are less relaxed. If you are behaving in an unsafe or destructive manner you can be evicted anytime pending a hearing with Residential Tenancies.

When the lease ends the damage deposit should be returned to tenants. It cannot be kept due to basic wear and tear in the apartment as that damage is to be expected. The deposit can only be withheld if there are unpaid rent charges or serious damages. If it is not returned at the end of your lease you must file a complaint with Residential Tenancies to have it returned with interest.

If Nova Scotia is not your home province it may be particularly helpful to brush up on your tenants rights as they vary from province to province.