April 22, 2026

Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission Advertising Requirements

The Commission’s Advertising Requirements document is now available for licensees to ensure their advertising complies with the Act and the By-law.

The Advertising Requirements explains how the requirements in the Act and the By-law apply to advertising, examples of advertising that would not comply with the Act or By-law, and provides best-practice guidance. The Advertising Requirements also informs the public about the advertising standards licensees must follow. As the Advertising Requirements is a plain language explainer to how the Commission interprets applicable sections of the Act and By-law, licensees who do not comply would be charged under the by-law or section of the Act, not charged under the Advertising Requirements.

The Advertising Requirements replaces the “Advertising Guidelines” that the Commission released in 2009.

Incentives Fulfillment Clarification

The Advertising Requirements includes clarified guidance about the fulfillment of incentives, which is dependent on the value of the incentive. Incentives valued in excess of $500 in value, including remuneration, gift cards, or items such as appliances, must be disbursed by the brokerage, not the individual licensee. Incentives valued under $500 may be disbursed by either the licensee directly or the brokerage.