Seasonal homes
Leaving Your Annapolis Royal Home for Winter
A practical departure checklist for seasonal residents and absentee homeowners.
Read the guide →Local knowledge · Practical planning · Official resources
Advice for Homeowners & Landlords in Annapolis Royal
Practical guidance for homeowners, seasonal residents and landlords in Annapolis Royal and the surrounding Annapolis Valley, including Granville Ferry, Bridgetown, Lawrencetown and Middleton. Start with a checklist, then use the official resources to check the requirements for your property.
Start here: Leaving for the season? Read the winter checklist and insurance guide. Renting a property? Start with the landlord checklist or short-term rental checklist. For immediate danger or a fire, call 911.
Advice
Seasonal homes
Seasonal homes
What Should a Home Watch Visit Include?
Questions to ask before arranging regular property check-ins.
Read the guide →Seasonal homes
Home Insurance When Your Property Is Unoccupied
The questions to ask your insurer before leaving or changing how you use a property.
Read the guide →Advice
Landlords
Landlords
A Practical Checklist for Nova Scotia Landlords
Organise tenancy documents, maintenance and local support before renting a home.
Read the guide →Landlords
Rental Inspections, Repairs and Tenant Access
Keep maintenance organised while respecting the tenant’s home and the applicable rules.
Read the guide →Landlords
Before Starting a Short-Term Rental in Nova Scotia
Check provincial registration, local permissions, insurance and operating arrangements.
Read the guide →Landlords
Rental Records and Tax: What Owners Should Organise
Keep usable records and know when to obtain accounting advice.
Read the guide →Advice
Maintenance
Maintenance
Water Leaks, Private Wells and Septic Systems
Build a water-system record and know which problems require a specialist.
Read the guide →Maintenance
A Seasonal Maintenance Calendar for Annapolis Valley Homes
A simple planning framework for repairs, servicing and returning to your property.
Read the guide →Maintenance
Building Permits, Heritage Properties and Choosing Trades
Find the right local authority before committing to alterations or a change of use.
Read the guide →Maintenance
Home Safety and Your Property Handover File
Create one secure, useful file for owners, authorised visitors and trades.
Read the guide →Advice
Emergencies
Emergencies
Storms, Power Outages and Your Unattended Home
Prepare a response plan before severe weather disrupts travel, heat or communications.
Read the guide →Official resources
Official information & useful contacts
Use these links to confirm current requirements. For municipal matters, identify the authority responsible for the actual civic address; the Town and County are separate authorities.
- Residential tenancy guides and factsheets
Starting a tenancy, forms, policies, responsibilities and dispute resolution. - Renting guide for tenants and landlords
Leases, rent, maintenance, access and other tenancy matters. - Guide to ending a tenancy
Official processes for ending a residential tenancy. - Register your short-term accommodation
Provincial registration, supporting documents, fees and renewal information. - Short-term accommodations registration services
The provincial starting point for short-term accommodation operators. - Town of Annapolis Royal: building, planning and zoning
Town planning contacts and information, including heritage considerations. - Municipality of the County of Annapolis: planning and development
County planning, building inspection, applications and zoning information. - Health Canada: test your well water
How often to test a private well, and why to use an accredited laboratory. - Water testing laboratories in Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change) (named for reference; search the Government of Nova Scotia website)
Find laboratory information and sampling resources. - Septic-system homeowner publications (Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change) (named for reference; search the Government of Nova Scotia website)
A focused directory of on-site sewage and septic-system homeowner publications. - Water shortage guidance for private well owners (Government of Nova Scotia) (named for reference; search the Government of Nova Scotia website)
Conservation and preparation for dry conditions. - Nova Scotia Power outage centre
Outage reporting and links to the live outage map. - Nova Scotia Power storm safety
Preparation and safety during power interruptions. - Emergency Info Nova Scotia: prepare for an emergency
Planning for storms, flooding, wildfire and other hazards. - Nova Scotia emergency-kit checklist (PDF)
A printable household emergency-kit checklist. - Nova Scotia evacuation resources
Information to help households prepare for evacuation. - Nova Scotia fire safety
Practical household fire-prevention guidance. - Emergency Info Nova Scotia: current fire restrictions
Daily provincial fire restrictions during wildfire season. - Health Canada: testing your home for radon
How to arrange a radon test and follow the testing guidance. - Insurance Bureau of Canada: seasonal property insurance
Insurance considerations for seasonal homes; your own policy governs coverage. - CRA rental income guide T4036
Rental-income reporting and record-keeping guidance. - CRA: rental income and non-resident tax
Non-resident rental reporting, section 216 and NR6 resources. The unusual URL is the destination linked by CRA, not a guessed path. - CRA: deductions and non-compliant short-term rentals
Tax considerations to review before operating a short-term rental. - CRA: rental income or business income
How the services provided may affect income classification.
Need a local contact while you’re away?
Discuss property check-ins, seasonal monitoring or coordination of agreed work with Annapolis Royal Property Care. Confirm the scope and availability for your property.
Prepared 21 October 2026. General information for property owners; official sources and individual policy or professional advice govern specific decisions. External links are independent of ARPC.