Military Relocations and Viewings & Residential Property Management vs. Trading

Military Relocations and Viewings

Earlier this year, the Commission received questions about military members travelling here from out of province to view properties.

Due to the increase in case numbers, we would like to remind the industry about the current requirements, clarified by Dr. Strang, N.S. Public Health Officer, in place for military members.

Military members and their family are exempted from the requirement to self isolate for 14 days if coming to Nova Scotia for house hunting as this is a necessary part of their work as military members. This has been identified as an essential service in the public health order.

Dr. Strang stated that there is an expectation of minimal interaction/activities outside of the necessary food/gas/lodgings/house hunting while these people are in Nova Scotia.

It is important to talk to sellers you are working with about what risk of exposure they are willing to accept. Sellers can decide who they are comfortable allowing access to their property.

The Commission would like to remind the industry that the COVID-19 orders, directives, and guidelines we all have to follow are being continuously updated by the provincial and federal governments. View the latest information here:

Government of Nova Scotia
Government of Canada

Residential Property Management vs. Trading

The Commission does not regulate residential property management as it does not fall within the definition of trading under the Nova Scotia Real Estate Trading Act. If a brokerage is offering this service, there is nothing prohibiting them from doing so, however the brokerage needs to make it clear to consumers (clients/customers) that those services are outside the scope of regulated real estate brokerage activities. If a licensee is going to facilitate a non trade in real estate, they cannot lead the consumer to believe it is a trade in real estate or use Commission mandatory forms. Licensees are not covered by errors and omission insurance for non trades and consumer loss from fraud or breach of trust is not covered by the recovery fund, because it is not an activity the Commission regulates.

For more information on what is considered trading in real estate, click HERE.