PDTT Update - November 26, 2025
The Provincial Non-Resident Deed Transfer Tax (PDTT) was first introduced in 2022, and increased from 5% to 10% on April 1, 2025. Since the increase, NSAR and our Provincial/Municipal Affairs Committee (PMAC) have been engaged in many activities and conversations relating to this file - advocating on behalf of Nova Scotians and our members.
The PDTT file has been identified by PMAC as an area of focus. As such, we will continue to lobby for reasonable exemptions and seek to increase awareness on the issue with the government and the general public. To-date, NSAR and the PMAC team have:
● Held meetings to raise awareness and give community stakeholders an opportunity to share their concerns (Video here);
● Met with the Nova Scotia Finance Treasury Board (FTB) and Minister John Lohr to address this concern and share our recommendations for exemptions;
● Initiated letter writing campaigns;
● Participated in conversations with community stakeholders including Boards of Trade, Chambers of Commerce and more;
● Collected dozens of impact statements from Nova Scotians, would-be Nova Scotians, buyers, sellers, business owners, and others impacted by the PDTT.
The six exemptions put forward to the Province of Nova Scotia are:
- If the house is on the market longer than 60 days
- Vacant lots
- Anyone identifying as a NS resident who moved away and wishes to move back
- Parents purchasing a home for children attending university
- Those requiring an out of province co-signer
- Developers looking to purchase properties for the purpose of creating housing opportunities
If you have an impact story to share or wish to get involved, please let us know at [email protected]