NSAR Salesperson Licensing – Nova Scotia Association
of REALTORS® (NSAR) / Nova Scotia
DOMAIN 1: REAL ESTATE PRINCIPLES, PROPERTY LAW, AND OWNERSHIP
Questions 1–25
Question 1
What is the highest and most complete form of ownership interest in land
recognized under Nova Scotia property law?
A. Life estate
B. Fee simple absolute
C. Leasehold estate
D. Easement
Correct Answer: B. Fee simple absolute
Rationale: Fee simple absolute represents the most complete ownership
interest, allowing the holder to dispose of the property without limitation other
than those imposed by law. It is inheritable and of indefinite duration. Life estates
are limited by the life of the holder, leaseholds are temporary, and easements are
only rights of use.
Question 2
Which form of co-ownership includes the right of survivorship, so that a deceased
owner's interest automatically passes to the remaining co-owners?
A. Tenancy in common
B. Joint tenancy
C. Tenancy by the entirety
D. Community property
Correct Answer: B. Joint tenancy
, Rationale: Joint tenancy includes the four unities (time, title, interest,
possession) and the right of survivorship. Upon death, the deceased's interest
passes to the surviving joint tenant(s) outside of the deceased's estate. Tenancy in
common does not include survivorship rights.
Question 3
Which of the following correctly distinguishes a freehold estate from a leasehold
estate?
A. A freehold estate is always longer than a leasehold
B. A freehold estate is of indefinite duration while a leasehold is for a fixed or
determinable period
C. Leasehold estates convey fee simple title
D. There is no legal distinction in Nova Scotia
Correct Answer: B. A freehold estate is of indefinite duration while a
leasehold is for a fixed or determinable period
Rationale: Freehold estates (fee simple or life estate) have potentially infinite
or life-measured duration. Leasehold estates are for a fixed or determinable
period (e.g., term of years, periodic tenancy).
Question 4
An easement appurtenant benefits which party?
A. The dominant tenement
B. The servient tenement only
C. The general public
D. The municipality exclusively
Correct Answer: A. The dominant tenement
Rationale: An easement appurtenant runs with the land and benefits the
dominant tenement (the property that receives the benefit of the easement),
while the servient tenement bears the burden.
,Question 5
A property owner grants a right to a neighbour to walk across their property to
access a lake. This is an example of:
A. A license
B. An easement
C. A profit à prendre
D. A restrictive covenant
Correct Answer: B. An easement
Rationale: An easement is a non-possessory right to use another's land for a
specific purpose. A license is revocable permission, a profit à prendre is the right
to remove resources, and a restrictive covenant limits how land can be used.
Question 6
Which of the following is NOT one of the four unities required for a joint tenancy?
A. Unity of time
B. Unity of title
C. Unity of interest
D. Unity of value
Correct Answer: D. Unity of value
Rationale: The four unities required for joint tenancy are unity of time, title,
interest, and possession. Unity of value is not required.
Question 7
What is a "caveat" in the context of Nova Scotia real estate?
A. A warning notice registered against a property title
B. A type of mortgage
C. A form of easement
D. A purchase agreement
, Correct Answer: A. A warning notice registered against a property title
Rationale: A caveat is a notice registered on title that warns potential
purchasers or lenders that someone claims an interest in the property. It serves as
a "caution" or warning.
Question 8
Under the Nova Scotia Land Registration Act, which system is primarily used for
registering property interests?
A. Registry system only
B. Torrens system only
C. Both registry and Torrens systems
D. A unique Nova Scotia system
Correct Answer: C. Both registry and Torrens systems
Rationale: Nova Scotia operates both a registry system (for older properties)
and a Torrens system (Land Registration Act) for newer registrations. The Torrens
system provides indefeasible title.
Question 9
A life tenant has which of the following rights regarding the property?
A. The right to sell the property in fee simple
B. The right to use and enjoy the property during their lifetime
C. The right to pass the property to their heirs
D. The right to mortgage the property for its full value
Correct Answer: B. The right to use and enjoy the property during their
lifetime
Rationale: A life tenant has the right to possess, use, and enjoy the property
during their lifetime but cannot sell the property in fee simple or pass it to heirs
beyond their life estate. The remainderman holds the future interest.
of REALTORS® (NSAR) / Nova Scotia
DOMAIN 1: REAL ESTATE PRINCIPLES, PROPERTY LAW, AND OWNERSHIP
Questions 1–25
Question 1
What is the highest and most complete form of ownership interest in land
recognized under Nova Scotia property law?
A. Life estate
B. Fee simple absolute
C. Leasehold estate
D. Easement
Correct Answer: B. Fee simple absolute
Rationale: Fee simple absolute represents the most complete ownership
interest, allowing the holder to dispose of the property without limitation other
than those imposed by law. It is inheritable and of indefinite duration. Life estates
are limited by the life of the holder, leaseholds are temporary, and easements are
only rights of use.
Question 2
Which form of co-ownership includes the right of survivorship, so that a deceased
owner's interest automatically passes to the remaining co-owners?
A. Tenancy in common
B. Joint tenancy
C. Tenancy by the entirety
D. Community property
Correct Answer: B. Joint tenancy
, Rationale: Joint tenancy includes the four unities (time, title, interest,
possession) and the right of survivorship. Upon death, the deceased's interest
passes to the surviving joint tenant(s) outside of the deceased's estate. Tenancy in
common does not include survivorship rights.
Question 3
Which of the following correctly distinguishes a freehold estate from a leasehold
estate?
A. A freehold estate is always longer than a leasehold
B. A freehold estate is of indefinite duration while a leasehold is for a fixed or
determinable period
C. Leasehold estates convey fee simple title
D. There is no legal distinction in Nova Scotia
Correct Answer: B. A freehold estate is of indefinite duration while a
leasehold is for a fixed or determinable period
Rationale: Freehold estates (fee simple or life estate) have potentially infinite
or life-measured duration. Leasehold estates are for a fixed or determinable
period (e.g., term of years, periodic tenancy).
Question 4
An easement appurtenant benefits which party?
A. The dominant tenement
B. The servient tenement only
C. The general public
D. The municipality exclusively
Correct Answer: A. The dominant tenement
Rationale: An easement appurtenant runs with the land and benefits the
dominant tenement (the property that receives the benefit of the easement),
while the servient tenement bears the burden.
,Question 5
A property owner grants a right to a neighbour to walk across their property to
access a lake. This is an example of:
A. A license
B. An easement
C. A profit à prendre
D. A restrictive covenant
Correct Answer: B. An easement
Rationale: An easement is a non-possessory right to use another's land for a
specific purpose. A license is revocable permission, a profit à prendre is the right
to remove resources, and a restrictive covenant limits how land can be used.
Question 6
Which of the following is NOT one of the four unities required for a joint tenancy?
A. Unity of time
B. Unity of title
C. Unity of interest
D. Unity of value
Correct Answer: D. Unity of value
Rationale: The four unities required for joint tenancy are unity of time, title,
interest, and possession. Unity of value is not required.
Question 7
What is a "caveat" in the context of Nova Scotia real estate?
A. A warning notice registered against a property title
B. A type of mortgage
C. A form of easement
D. A purchase agreement
, Correct Answer: A. A warning notice registered against a property title
Rationale: A caveat is a notice registered on title that warns potential
purchasers or lenders that someone claims an interest in the property. It serves as
a "caution" or warning.
Question 8
Under the Nova Scotia Land Registration Act, which system is primarily used for
registering property interests?
A. Registry system only
B. Torrens system only
C. Both registry and Torrens systems
D. A unique Nova Scotia system
Correct Answer: C. Both registry and Torrens systems
Rationale: Nova Scotia operates both a registry system (for older properties)
and a Torrens system (Land Registration Act) for newer registrations. The Torrens
system provides indefeasible title.
Question 9
A life tenant has which of the following rights regarding the property?
A. The right to sell the property in fee simple
B. The right to use and enjoy the property during their lifetime
C. The right to pass the property to their heirs
D. The right to mortgage the property for its full value
Correct Answer: B. The right to use and enjoy the property during their
lifetime
Rationale: A life tenant has the right to possess, use, and enjoy the property
during their lifetime but cannot sell the property in fee simple or pass it to heirs
beyond their life estate. The remainderman holds the future interest.
