By SONAM RANA
July 2, 2025 – Halifax, NS
A System in Crisis
For nearly a decade, Andrea Lewis has lived in what she once hoped would be a safe, affordable home. But instead of comfort, she found cracked walls, black mold, leaking pipes, and unanswered maintenance requests. Her story is not just a personal battle—it is a powerful indictment of a housing system in Nova Scotia that many say is deeply broken.
Across Halifax, tenants are sounding alarms about delayed repairs, negligent landlords, and a provincial system that fails to protect renters. Andrea’s experience is emblematic of a growing crisis in tenant rights, enforcement gaps, and affordable housing.
The Long Fight: 10 Years, No Justice
Andrea Lewis, a 42-year-old single mother living in Halifax’s north end, has been in her unit since 2015. From her first year, problems started to appear: water-stained ceilings, a leaking bathroom, broken windows, and eventually a growing patch of black mold in her children’s bedroom.
She reported the issues to her landlord multiple times. “I called. I emailed. I even went in person,” Lewis says. “But nothing happened. For years.”
She eventually turned to the Residential Tenancies Program, the legal body that handles disputes between landlords and tenants in Nova Scotia. “I thought the system would work. I believed they would hold the landlord accountable. I was wrong.”
Despite multiple complaints and documented evidence, no meaningful repairs were enforced. Even when the landlord was ordered to fix certain issues, the deadlines passed with little consequence.
Health at Risk: The Human Cost of Delay
The consequences of these conditions aren’t just cosmetic—they’re dangerous. Andrea’s two children have developed respiratory issues, which her doctor believes could be linked to prolonged exposure to mold.
“Last winter, my daughter was hospitalized twice for asthma attacks,” Lewis says. “We live in fear every time it gets damp or cold.”
Environmental health experts confirm the link. Dr. Lianne Godfrey, a public health advocate in Halifax, says mold and dampness can cause or worsen asthma, bronchitis, and other serious conditions. “What we’re seeing is neglect with direct health consequences,” she explains. “It’s a public health failure as much as a housing one.”
Broken System: Tenant Rights in Name Only?
Nova Scotia’s Residential Tenancies Program is designed to resolve disputes quickly and fairly, but critics argue that enforcement is weak and delays are routine.
Under the current system:
Tenants must prove their case, even when conditions are visibly unsafe.
Hearings can take weeks or months.
Even when decisions are made, there is little follow-up to ensure compliance.
Landlords who violate orders face minimal penalties.
According to data obtained by tenant advocacy groups, more than 65% of tenant repair complaints in Halifax between 2018 and 2023 were either unresolved or only partially addressed.
“Landlords know they can get away with it,” says Tasha Mohammed, a legal advocate with Halifax Renters United. “There’s no real deterrent. No one’s checking to see if repairs happen after the ruling. It’s like issuing a speeding ticket with no fine.”
No Place to Go: The Affordability Trap
Like many low-income renters, Andrea can’t just pack up and move. Halifax’s rental vacancy rate is below 1%, and prices have skyrocketed in recent years. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment now exceeds $1,800—well beyond the reach of many families.
“There’s nowhere else to go,” Andrea says. “And landlords know that too. They don’t have to fix anything because we’re stuck.”
This affordability crisis intersects with the repair crisis. Tenants in low-cost, aging buildings often face the worst conditions, while new developments are built for higher-income renters or short-term stays.
Government Response: Promises Without Action?
The Nova Scotia government has acknowledged the challenges, but critics say progress has been slow. In 2021, following public pressure, the province promised to review its tenancy laws and explore stronger enforcement measures. Four years later, few changes have been implemented.
“The housing minister says the right things,” says NDP MLA Lisa Roberts. “But words don’t patch holes in ceilings or get mold out of walls. Tenants need action—now.”
Some proposed reforms include:
Mandatory follow-up inspections after dispute resolutions.
Heavier fines for landlords who ignore orders.
A publicly accessible landlord registry tracking violations.
Greater funding for tenant legal aid services.
But until those reforms become law, tenants like Andrea continue to suffer.
Community Rising: Tenants Organizing for Change
Faced with systemic failure, some tenants are organizing. Grassroots groups like Halifax Renters United and the Tenants’ Rights Coalition have held rallies, lobbied city councillors, and even taken landlords to court.
“We’re done waiting,” says Mohammed. “It’s time to fight back, because if we don’t, things will only get worse.”
Social media campaigns have amplified tenant stories, and local media attention is growing. Some tenants have even won court-ordered repairs, setting precedents for others.
A Call for Accountability
Andrea Lewis says she’s speaking out not just for herself, but for the thousands of renters across Halifax who suffer in silence. “I’m tired of being ignored. I want change. I want someone to care that we live like this.”
Her story is a sobering reminder that housing is not just about buildings—it’s about dignity, safety, and the right to live without fear or illness. As Halifax grows, its most vulnerable residents cannot be left behind.
The fight for tenant rights is not over. It’s just beginning.
Conclusion: Where Do We Go From Here?
Andrea’s story should not be normal. Yet for many tenants in Halifax, it is. The system meant to protect them is failing at every level—from legal enforcement to political leadership.
If governments do not act, the cost will be paid in hospital visits, mental health crises, and an ever-widening gap between those who live comfortably and those who endure unsafe homes. Andrea’s decade-long fight is more than a personal story—it is a wake-up call.
Tenants deserve better. Halifax deserves better. And the time for change is now.
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