Form R Nova Scotia: landlord deposit claim
Why landlords must usually submit Form R within ten days if retaining a deposit without consent.
When Form R matters
Form R is the Security Deposit Claim Form for a landlord seeking to keep part or all of the tenant’s security deposit for unpaid rent or damage. Nova Scotia generally requires the deposit with interest returned within ten days after tenancy termination unless an exception applies.
Where the tenant has not agreed in writing to retention, the landlord must usually file Form R within ten days after the tenancy ends. The official instructions also require the landlord to send the tenant a completed copy of Form R within 10 days after the tenancy ends, in addition to filing Form R with the program. Keep the proof of filing and of delivery.
Gather the evidence
- Tenancy end date, deposit amount and interest records.
- Itemized unpaid rent or damage claim backed by payment and inspection records.
- Photos, receipts, invoices and signed inspection reports, if available.
- Written tenant consent if any, or proof of Form R filing and service.
Related options
Where claimed losses exceed the deposit, check Form J. Tenants can use Form S to ask the Director to return funds.
Four steps to make a deposit claim
- Check the end date: Nova Scotia says a landlord seeking to keep a deposit without written tenant agreement must file Form R within ten days after the tenancy ends.
- Itemize the amount: identify unpaid rent or claimed damage and gather the lease, deposit records, condition report, dated photographs and invoices.
- Submit Form R: use the province's online service or its stated paper submission route through Access Nova Scotia.
- Send a completed copy: provincial instructions require the landlord to give the tenant the form within the same ten-day period. Keep filing and delivery records.
The government says there is no fee to submit Form R. Filing the form does not by itself prove every deduction is justified.
What happens if the claim is disputed?
A tenant who disagrees or did not receive the required form can use Form S to seek return of the deposit. If the landlord's unpaid rent or damage claim exceeds the deposit, the province directs the landlord to consider Form J for the additional claim. Form D, an unpaid-rent notice, is a different process.
Check the current Nova Scotia Form R instructions before acting; preserve any genuine written agreement to retain all or part of a deposit.