Glossary

Pronounced maj-een. This is a contraction of the word "imagine."

It is used as an exclamation to convey disbelief, skepticism, sarcasm, or emphasis. The meaning is often stressed through the inflection or tone of the word. With a rising pitch it usually means surprise, but with a flat tone it usually means sarcasm or disbelief.

They have 1, 2 or 3 separate bedrooms, with separate bathroom, living, and kitchen space.

Large, permanent items like ovens, dishwashers, that are often included in rent

Bachelor apartments are ideal for one person. Also known as studio apartments.

Apartments that are below ground level.

Bed bugs are a small, inscet that feed on people and animals as they sleep.

Bed bugs are found throughout Nova Scotia and are transported through travelling somewhere that has had bedbugs.

For more information on Bed Bugs, Identification, and Pest Control visit: https://novascotia.ca/nse/environmental-health/bed-bugs.asp

refers to riding a bicycle, also referred to as biking or cycling

A generic term for a person

A person who is specifically from Cape Breton Island.

A publicly cultivated piece of land, often overseen by government or a non-profit association.

Consent means someone freely agrees to engage in a certain act. Consent is an active, ongoing, affirmative, conscious, direct, unimpaired and voluntary agreement to engage and continue to engage in an activity.

A term refering to riding a bicycle

A damage deposit is also known as a security deposit. It is the amount of money paid to a property owner when renting to ensure the rental is kept in good condition. Upon ending your rental lease property owners may keep this amount if there are damages, otherwise they must return your deposit.

a damage, security, or rental deposit. It is money that you give to the property owner (or rental company) as you sign the rental agreement/contract/lease. This money is given back to you at the end of the tenancy unless you have caused damage to the property. 

A coffee with two creams and two sugars – specifically at Tim Hortons.

Refers to the coastal communities and fishing villages along the Atlantic.

A shop, a market, or collective of sales booths where farmers and other vendors sell their products directly to consumers. Often artisanal and produce related sales occur at these locations

Help yourself; take as much as you want; go ahead.

To be extremely busy or working at maximum capacity.

Refers to specific items provided in a rental space including beds, mattresses. These are movable furniture or fixtures.

To put in a lot of effort, go fast, or work very hard.

Good for you; well done; a way to show approval.

a store that sells groceries (food, and other essential items)

These apartments are on the street level, not in a basement or on a second or higher story.

within the rental market context, a guarantor is someone who guarantees to pay any outstanding rent that you owe to a property owner. You'll find this word on application forms when you want to rent a place. A guarantor does NOT need to be a Canadian citizen, but they need to be living in Canada.

A standard maritime greeting meaning "How are you?" or "How is it going?"

Note: This phrase isn’t usually asking for a detailed answer about how you are feeling. It is mostly used the same way people use ‘hello'. This also depends on the region and person using it.

The inspections that occur upon move in and move out of a rental space. These should occur with the property owner present, or be recorded if the property owner cannot be present.

Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia

Usually refers to someone from Prince Edward Island (PEI), though people from Cape Breton also use this term as they identify strongly with their island.

Someone who does not live on the mainland, someone who lives on an Island. Like someone who lives in PEI or Cape Breton

An informal social gathering, often with live music, held in someone's home.

if your lease has a term that expires, your lease may be renewed and you may keep renting for another term. Automatic renewal of leases without a new written agreement is common.

an agreement between a property owner and tenant in order to rent a place. Rental leases/agreements can be written or oral, both are legally binding. It is recommended that you only enter into a written agreement.

A furnished or unfurnished accommodation that is secured for 3 months or longer.

The Canadian one-dollar coin (features a loon bird).

Someone who lives on the Mainland part of Nova Scotia (not Cape Breton Island).

Someone who lives on the mainland of Nova Scotia, someone who does not live on an Island

The language of the Mi'kmaq people

it refers to a tenancy that renews each month.

A friendly, motherly term of endearment often used by older locals. Very common in Cape Breton and those with Newfoundland heritage.

Usually refers to someone from Newfoundland. This is common to hear in Cape Breton and Northern Nova Scotia.

A phrase to describe that the cold or chilly temperature, typically of the weather.

it refers to a notification, in writing.

Carbonated soft drinks. Commonly called soda in other regions. This term does not include carbonated juices.

To stop at a place for a short amount of time, usually for a quick visit or to drop off or pick up items.

To leave a place for a short amount of time, usually for a quick errand or to step outside.

Often also referred to as landlord. A person who owns and rents/leases an apartment building, condominium, townhouse or house to another person.

as a verb, you rent a place when you pay a property owner or a rental agency to live in a accommodation. As a noun, it is the payment made by a tenant (you) for the right to occupy or use the property of another person.

this is an application used by a property owner or rental company to determine if a prospective tenant (you, the person who is looking for a place to rent) is suitable to rent. It often includes an authorization to conduct a credit check.

it refers to lands and/or buildings and/or units and/or rooms available for, or being, rented.

Used as an intensifier meaning "very" or "really."

a person who you share an apartment or house with

Going to a location quickly for an errand. It does not mean you are physically running.

A large, hearty, and very satisfying meal. Often heard in Cape Breton or with people who have Newfoundland heritage.

Sexual Assault refers to any form of sexual contact without consent. Sexual assault includes, but is not limited to, unwanted kissing, fondling, touching, disrobing, oral or anal sex, vaginal intercourse, or other forms of penetration.

Sexual Harassments is a course of unwelcome, humiliating, and/or embarrassing comments of a sexual nature, persistent or abusive sexual solicitation or advances directed at an individual based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, by another individual or group who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that this attention is unwelcome

Sexual Violence is an umbrella term describing any act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity or gender expression, whether physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without their consent.

Temporary furnished rental, including hotels, AirBnb, campgrounds, where accommodation is payment by night or week

Wet, melting, or half-frozen snow on the ground.

Wet, melting, or half-frozen snow on the ground.

A day when schools or businesses are closed because of a snowstorm.

Another intensifier used to emphasize a quality.

Visiting or staying overnight at someone's house.

as a verb, it means to rent a property that it is leased to another person. The person currently renting it still has the responsibility to the property owner. For example: tenant A lives in a 2-bedroom apartment and wants to sublet it to tenant B. Tenant A is still responsible for the rent and agreement to the property owner - if tenant B does not pay the rent or causes damages, tenant A is the person responsible to cover for rent and damages.

a person who leases or rents a premise from a property owner. The premises rented is often an apartment, room or house.

Also known as rental insurance, is a type of home insurance that protects those who do not own their home but rather rent it. Without tenant insurance you may be liable for damages caused by fire, or other incidents. You can get tenant insurance through providers with home insurance and other forms of insurance.

The large enclosed bay, forming the northwestern end of Halifax Harbour

In Nova Scotia, this almost always refers to the Macdonald or Mackay Bridges connecting Halifax and Dartmouth.

The Canso Causeway: the road/bridge that connects Mainland Nova Scotia to Cape Breton.

In Nova Scotia, this almost always refers to Halifax.

The law for rental housing in Nova Scotia.

The Annapolis Valley, a famous agricultural region known for its orchards and vineyards.

Stores that sell second hand items including clothing, household goods, and variety of other items.

Slang for Tim Hortons, Canada's most popular coffee shop.

The Canadian two-dollar coin.

A hat for the winter

Without furniture, especially available to be rented without furniture. Typically with appliances but no other furnishings.

A vague direction meaning "further along this way" or "in the next town over."

these are services such as heat, water and electricity/power that may or may not be included in your rent.

A verbal agreement that is equivelant to a written agreement or Standard Form Lease.

The polite Canadian term for a bathroom or restroom.

Is used to mean "very" or "excellent."

a limitation on parking to minimize inconveniences or barriers that would prevent snow removal from roads or highways

A written agreement that cannot be changed through a verbal agreement it may only be changed through writing. The most common written lease is the Standard Form of Lease provided through the Residential Tenancy Board.