Nova Scotia tenancy filing costs, fee waivers and hearings

Filing costs

The published fee to file a Form J Application to Director is $31.15. This is the government application charge only. It does not include service costs, lawyer fees, or Small Claims Court appeal fees. You can ask in the application that the fee be awarded to you if you succeed; the Officer may order the other party to pay it. No other costs are awardable through this process.

Do not confuse the Form J fee with Small Claims Court appeal fees, which are higher and set by court regulations.

Who may qualify for a fee waiver

People receiving Income Assistance, Social Assistance, or the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) can qualify for a waiver of the Form J fee. Financial circumstances or other personal hardship can also be considered. Use Form DR4 (Waive Residential Tenancies Application to Director Fee). Attach proof (GIS or Income Assistance statement, or a letter explaining circumstances with supporting documents). The waiver application itself has no fee. Submit it with or before your Form J at Access Nova Scotia. Processing is often immediate for IA/GIS recipients and a few days otherwise.

How hearings work

• File Form J online or on paper at Access Nova Scotia. You receive a hearing package that includes the Notice of Hearing and service instructions (often involving Form L1 Certificate of Service).
• Serve the other party with the application and hearing package, then return the completed Form L1 to Residential Tenancies within 7 days of filing. Proper service is required for the hearing to proceed.
• Mediation may be offered if both parties agree. If not, a telephone hearing is held. Prepare a clear timeline and evidence in advance. Late documents may not be accepted.
• For an immediate issue that cannot reasonably wait for a regular hearing date (examples include being locked out or essential services shut off), file Form DR9 after you have filed Form J but before you serve the other party. There is no fee for the DR9 request. The Program decides whether to schedule an emergency hearing.

Evidence checklist

• Lease or tenancy agreement and any notices already given.
• Payment records, bank statements, or receipts relevant to the dispute.
• Photos, inspection reports, repair requests, and dated communications (email, text, letters).
• Witness contact information if you plan to call them.
• Any prior orders or related forms (Form R, Form S, notices to quit, etc.).

Realistic example

A tenant on Income Assistance is locked out after a dispute. They file Form J online (or at Access Nova Scotia) and immediately submit Form DR4 with their assistance statement. The fee is waived. They also file Form DR9 describing the lockout as an emergency that cannot wait. The Program reviews the DR9 and, if it qualifies, issues a new Notice of Hearing for an earlier date. The tenant then serves the landlord with the package and returns Form L1 within 7 days. At the telephone hearing they present photos of the lock, texts with the landlord, and their lease.

Common mistakes

• Assuming every Form J fee can be waived without applying and providing proof via Form DR4.
• Filing Form DR9 after already serving the other party (it is only available before service).
• Missing the 7-day deadline to return Form L1 after service.
• Treating a money claim for past damage as an “emergency” that qualifies for DR9.
• Expecting the Officer to automatically accept documents submitted after the evidence deadline.

Official instructions

Fee waiver eligibility and Form DR4 · Emergency hearings (Form DR9) · Form J application.