Finding Housing

Temporary Housing

Hotels, Motels, and Cottages

Unama’ki – Cape Breton has some great hotels and motels that you can stay in. There are also a lot of cabins and housekeeping cottages that could accommodate your needs. These may have living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms, and are scattered around the Island. 

Airbnb

Many communities in Unama’ki – Cape Breton have listings on Airbnb. You can rent single rooms, entire apartments, or homes to stay in while you look for a place. You can rent nightly, weekly, or monthly, depending on the listing. You’ll need an account to book accommodations. 

Tenant Rights and Legal Support in Nova Scotia

Government of Nova Scotia’s Residential Tenancies

The Government of Nova Scotia’s Residential Tenancies site outlines the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords. It includes downloadable guides, policies, and forms for every stage of tenancy, such as starting a lease, handling repairs, rent increases, and ending a tenancy. You’ll also find key documents like the standard lease and instructions on serving notices. Learn more here: https://novascotia.ca/residential-tenancies-tenants-and-landlords/ 

Nova Scotia Legal Aid

Nova Scotia Legal Aid provides information and advocacy for approved applicants dealing with Residential Tenancies issues such as eviction or the return of security deposits. Through their website you can also access a free online chat with a Social Justice professional every Wednesday from 3 to 5 pm to ask questions about tenancy matters. The Residential Tenancies Summary Advice Program is available as well, where you can speak with a lawyer for free guidance on any tenancy issue by calling 1-833-420-6752. All of these services can be found at www.nslegalaid.ca

Dalhousie Legal Aid Service’s Tenants’ Rights Guide

The Dalhousie Legal Aid Service’s Tenants’ Rights Guide is a clear and easy-to-use resource for renters across Nova Scotia. It covers every stage of tenancy, including finding a place, signing a lease, living in your unit, dealing with issues, and ending a tenancy. It also includes helpful information on disputes, rights, and additional supports. Learn more here: https://www.tenantsrightsguide.ca/ 

Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS)

Find reliable legal information through the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS). Their website offers plain-language guides, videos, and tools on housing, tenant rights, seniors’ issues, youth law, workplace matters, and more. They provide support through live chat, email, and phone, and can help you find a residential tenancy lawyer. To reach them directly, call 1-800-665-9779 or 902-455-3135. Visit the site here: https://www.legalinfo.org/

Renting Basics

What to expect

When renting apartments or houses in Unama’ki – Cape Breton, a landlord may ask you to sign a lease. The lease may be periodic, for example month-to-month or year-to-year, that renews at the end of every period, or it may be for a fixed period of time with a start and end date that does not renew. You can also have a legal lease without having any document in writing.

Most apartments come equipped with appliances such as a fridge and stove/oven. Not all apartments have washing machines or dryers, while some have coin-operating washing facilities. Standard apartments have a washroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom(s). 

Signing a lease

A lease includes rights and responsibilities for the landlord and the tenant. A damage deposit of half a month’s rent is usually required for rentals. For example, if you’re renting a building for $1,000, a damage deposit of $500 may be required with your first month’s rent. This is to cover any incidentals that may occur, such as damage beyond normal wear and tear or unpaid rent at the end of your tenancy. If there is no damage to the building when you move out, the landlord must return the deposit amount to you within 10 days from the date your lease ends unless they have applied to the Residential Tenancies Program to keep it. 

Landlords may also ask for references before you sign the lease to ensure you are who you say you are or that you have a job to support you.

For resources regarding tenant education in the CBRM and across Nova Scotia, please click here. Please note: Always ensure that materials are up-to-date to provide accurate information.

Where to find apartments for rent

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is the built-in classifieds tool for the Facebook social media platform. Through this platform, users may list items/services they have for sale as well as rentals. Where this platform attaches an actual user, their profile, and the location to a listing, it allows those interested in searching for items or rentals to search for those that are nearest to them.

Kijiji

Kijiji is a great classifieds website. People post buy and sell, services, and real estate on Kijiji. You can browse for free, but in order to message someone through the platform, you’ll need to create an account. Rental units can be found in short (weekly) or long-term (monthly/yearly) sections. See places for rent in Cape Breton. 

Newspapers 

Local newspapers have classified sections that may list housing options.

Buying a Home

Real Estate

In addition to the resources above for rentals, which can also show results for purchasing a home or property, local real estate agents and companies are also a terrific resource. If you are interested in purchasing a home, there are many real estate agencies on the Island who would be happy to show you what’s available.

Property Taxes

If you choose to purchase a home in Unama’ki – Cape Breton, you will need to pay tax on the property you’re buying in two instances:

  1. Deed Transfer Tax – When you first purchase your home, you are required to pay Deed Transfer Tax. The tax rate is determined by each municipality and is calculated based on the sale price of the property. Deed Transfer Taxes are a one time payment when you purchase your home, and are collected on behalf of the municipality through Land Registration Offices, where the deed is registered/recorded. For more information, please the Nova Scotia Government website.
  2. Property taxes – are different from Deed Transfer Tax, and are collected every year. Some municipalities will collect property tax payments once, twice or more frequently throughout the year. Municipalities set different tax rates for residential properties and businesses. The money collected goes towards the maintenance of sewers, roads, parks, municipal building and services in your community. To learn about the property taxes in your area, visit your local municipal office or website.

Furniture 

There are many used and new furniture stores and businesses located across the Island. A quick internet search is best to find the stores nearest your location. As the available furniture will vary from store to store, it’s recommended that buyers shop around and check multiple stores to find the right items for them.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is also a great resource for used furniture. Where this platform attaches an actual user, their profile, and the location to a listing, it allows those interested in searching for items or rentals to search for those that are nearest to them.

Kijiji

When looking for used household goods, a great place to check is Kijiji. People will sell used furniture, appliances, art, clothing, and post garage sales to Kijiji. See all furniture in Cape Breton. 

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Last Modified: November 28, 2025