Frequently Asked Questions - Program Details

How do I know if I qualify for the rebate?

• you will be living there on a permanent basis,
• the municipal building permit is dated on or after January 1, 2009 and before April 1, 2010,
• your preliminary application was accepted,
• you have completed construction between January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010 inclusive, or the purchase closed by the March 31, 2010 deadline.
  

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What homes are eligible for the rebate?

• homes built on land you owned before construction started
• homes built on land owned by the builder
• manufactured homes installed for you on property you are leasing, such as in a mobile home park
  

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How many people are eligible for the rebate?

The rebate is available to a maximum of 1,500 people constructing their own homes or buyers of newly built homes.  Only one rebate per home owner.

If a new home has more than one owner, only one owner may apply for the rebate. The other owners are also considered to have received the rebate under this program and are not eligible to apply for any further rebates under this program.

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Is this program only for first-time home buyers?

No. This program is for anyone building or purchasing a new home, as long as that project meets all of the eligibility requirements outlined above.

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If I purchase a manufactured home and put it on land that I owned prior to construction, what documents do I then need to send in?

Preliminary application - a copy of the building permit along with the complete preliminary application form.

Final application - the bill of sale for the manufactured home along with invoices for any other construction expenses required to install the home.

Enclose a copy of your occupancy permit dated between January 1, 2009 and Mar 31, 2010 inclusive. If a formal request has been made to the municipality for an occupancy permit prior to April 1, 2010, an occupancy permit dated between April 1 and April 30, 2010 inclusive may also be accepted. The municipality will be contacted to verify the date of the request.

Final applications must be received at head office by end of business day April 30, 2010.

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What do you mean by primary residence?

Primary place of residence means a house, owned jointly or otherwise, that is intended to be inhabited by an individual on a permanent basis.

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I have more than one residence, how do I determine which residence is my primary residence?

For purposes of the new housing rebate, a person who has more than one place of residence should consider some of the following factors as to whether the residence may qualify as the primary place of residence:

• whether the individual considers the house as his or her main residence;
• the length of time the premises are inhabited; and
• the designation of that address on personal and public records. (For example what address will be on your health card, income tax forms.)

This means that you cannot claim a new housing rebate for an investment property or a recreational cottage that is not your primary place of residence.

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I have a residence outside of Nova Scotia and I am looking to build a home in Nova Scotia. Will I qualify for the rebate?

Although an individual may build or acquire a new house in Nova Scotia, if his or her primary place of residence remains outside Nova Scotia, then the house in Nova Scotia would be a secondary place of residence and not qualify for the new housing rebate.

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If I add a new addition to or gut and rebuild an existing home, do I qualify for the rebate?

No. The New Home Construction Rebate is limited to new home construction. To be eligible for the rebate, the building permit must authorize the start of construction of a new home where one does not currently exist and be dated on or after January 1, 2009 and before April 1 2010.

For those building their new home or having it built, they must have an occupancy permit dated before April 1, 2010 to qualify. If a formal request has been made to the municipality for an occupancy permit prior to April 1, 2010, an occupancy permit dated between April 1 and April 30, 2010 inclusive may also be accepted. The municipality will be contacted to verify the date of the request.

For those buying a newly built home, the sale must close before April 1, 2010.

Final applications must be received at head office by end of business day April 30, 2010.

Construction activity to substantially renovate an existing home or make a major addition does not qualify for the New Home Construction rebate but may still qualify for a GST/HST New Housing Rebate.

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Does this rebate affect my eligibility for a GST/HST New Housing Rebate?

No. The New Home Construction rebate is completely separate from the GST/HST New Housing Rebate. You may qualify for both.

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How much is the rebate?

 The New Home Construction Rebate is a one-time rebate equivalent to 50% of the provincial portion of the HST, to a maximum of $7,000 on newly built homes.

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How long will the program be offered?

The rebate ends March 31, 2010.

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