Nova Scotia's new Tory government is less than a month old, but it's already facing its first scandal.

The case revolves around the minister of housing. Some of his constituents in the South Shore community of Chester are calling him a slum landlord.

During the election campaign Conservative leader John Hamm stressed the importance of ethical behavior among ministers. Now, less than a month in office the minister responsible for such things as housing and the tenancy act is facing the accusations.

John Chataway is co-owner of four units in Chester. The people who live there say they've had to put up with no heat for weeks at a time, and gaping holes repaired with plastic.

Chataway calls his income property a hobby. "Well if you've ever owned an old house and, either fortunately or unfortunately I've had that chance, there's always something to do. And, you know, you never get a chance to do as much as you'd like."

In order to maintain credibility as Housing Minister, Chataway says he'll sell off his shares of the property.

Premier John Hamm says that's good enough for him. "He's doing all of the things he can do to allow him to comply with our code of conduct," he said.

But the controversy is likely to dog the housing minister as long as he holds the portfolio.

"Now the premier and his cabinet have to assure Nova Scotians that Mr. Chataway is in fact capable of assuring Nova Scotians, particularly tenants across Nova Scotia that in fact he is capable of doing the job," said the NDP's housing critic, Jerry Pye.

Chataway says he'll divest his interest in the units within eight days.