Deposit Rules by Province and How to Get Your Security Deposit Back in Canada (2026)

Getting your security deposit back after moving out should be straightforward: but disputes over what qualifies as damage vs normal wear and tear are common. This guide covers the deposit rules in each province and how to protect yourself from unfair deductions. The rest of renting, province by province, is in the renting in Canada hub.

Does Your Province Allow Security Deposits?

The first thing to know is that security deposit rules differ dramatically across Canada:

Ontario: No Security Deposit: But LMR Rules Apply

• The only deposit a landlord can collect is a rent deposit; a separate damage or security deposit isn't allowed.
• The landlord has to ask for it on or before entering into the tenancy agreement.
• It can't be more than the lesser of one rent period's rent and one month's rent.
• When the rent lawfully goes up, the landlord can ask for an extra amount to bring the deposit up to the new limit.
• The landlord pays interest on it every year, at the rent increase guideline in effect when the payment is due.
• It must be applied to the rent for the last rent period before the tenancy ends.

Ontario landlords cannot collect a security deposit or damage deposit of any kind. The only deposit permitted under the Residential Tenancies Act is a last month’s rent (LMR) deposit.

LMR Rules

• The LMR deposit must be applied to your last month of rent: not used to cover cleaning or damage
• The deposit earns interest each year, equal to the rent increase guideline for that year (see rent increase rules)
• Your landlord must credit any accumulated interest against rent before or during your last month

What About Damage Claims in Ontario?

If you leave the unit damaged, your landlord cannot deduct from the LMR deposit. Instead, they must file a claim with the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) within one year of the tenancy ending. If they don’t, they lose the right to claim.

If you believe your landlord applied your LMR deposit incorrectly or failed to pay interest, file a T1 application with the LTB. The other Ontario tenant rules are in the Ontario tenant rights guide.

British Columbia

• A security deposit can be no more than half of the first month's rent, and it stays at that amount if the rent changes later.
• If pets are allowed, the landlord can also charge one pet damage deposit, again no more than half of the first month's rent whatever the number of pets.
• Once the landlord has the tenant's forwarding address in writing, it has 15 days to return the deposits with any interest.
• The landlord can keep a deposit only with the tenant's written permission or a Residential Tenancy Branch order.
• If the landlord takes no action within those 15 days, it may be ordered to pay the tenant double the deposit.

Deposit Rules

• Security deposit: Maximum ½ month’s rent
• Pet damage deposit: Maximum ½ month’s rent (separate from security deposit)
• Deposits earn prescribed interest (currently 0%)

Return Deadline

The landlord must return the deposit, with any interest, within 15 days of receiving your forwarding address in writing (or of the end of the tenancy, if later), unless they apply for dispute resolution within that time.

The Double-Deposit Rule

If a landlord fails to return the deposit within 15 days without filing for dispute resolution, you are automatically entitled to double the deposit. This is a significant penalty: keep records of when your tenancy ended and when (if ever) you received the funds.

The Move-In Inspection Report

BC law requires landlords to offer a move-in condition inspection. If you request one, the landlord must carry it out. If the landlord refuses, they lose the right to make deductions from your deposit at move-out (except for damage that couldn’t reasonably have been noted at the time).

At move-out, the landlord must also offer a move-out inspection. If the landlord doesn’t give you the opportunity to attend, their ability to make deductions is limited.

Disputing in BC

File online with the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB); hearings are usually by teleconference. The rest of BC’s rules are in the BC tenant rights guide.

Alberta

• The deposit can't be more than one month's rent at the time the tenancy starts.
• The deposit can't be increased as the rent goes up, or for any other reason, during the tenancy.
• The landlord must put it in an interest-bearing trust account in Alberta within 2 banking days and pay interest at the rate set by regulation.
• With no deductions, the full deposit plus interest is due within 10 days of the day you give up possession.
• With deductions, the landlord must within 10 days either return the balance with a statement of account, or give an estimate of the deductions and return the rest, with the final statement and any money owing within 30 days after the tenancy ends.
• Move-in and move-out inspection reports are mandatory, and without them the landlord can't deduct for damage or cleaning.

What a landlord can deduct is limited to damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning required by the tenancy agreement, and unpaid rent or other costs owing. A tenant who disagrees with deductions can apply to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) or the court. The rest of Alberta’s rules are in the Alberta tenant rights guide.

Saskatchewan

• A security deposit can be no more than one calendar month's rent, requested at the start of the tenancy.
• At the start the landlord can require at most 50% of the deposit; the rest is payable within two months of moving in.
• The landlord must invest it in securities The Trustee Act, 2009 allows or keep it in a trust account at a bank, trust company or credit union.
• Interest is payable only on tenancies of more than five years.
• A lease can't say the landlord keeps the deposit automatically; the landlord claims all or part of it within seven business days of the tenancy ending, through the Office of Residential Tenancies.
• A tenant can dispute the claim within 60 days of the tenancy's end by applying for the deposit's return; applications cost $50.

Deposit Rules

• Maximum: 1 month’s rent
• Must be returned within 7 business days after tenancy ends with an itemized statement

Disputing in Saskatchewan

File with the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT). Hearings are held in person or by phone.

Manitoba

• A security deposit can be no more than half of the first month's rent, figured on the full rent, not a discounted one.
• Where pets are allowed, the landlord can charge one pet damage deposit of up to one month's rent (for deposits collected since August 1, 2014), but none for a tenant who relies on a service animal.
• The deposit can go toward the last month's rent only if the landlord agrees in writing.
• If there are no problems at the end of the tenancy, the landlord returns all deposits plus interest within 14 days.
• To keep any of it, the landlord sends the tenant a written notice of claim, and if they disagree the Residential Tenancies Branch decides.

Deposit Rules

• Maximum: ½ month’s rent
• Must be returned within 14 days of tenancy ending

Disputing in Manitoba

File with the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB). Note: Manitoba has a different RTB from BC’s.

Nova Scotia

• A security deposit can be no more than half of one month's rent.
• The landlord puts it in a trust account within 3 days of receiving it.
• It is returned with interest within 10 days of the end of the lease.
• To keep some or all of it, the landlord needs the tenant's written agreement or must file a claim with the Residential Tenancies Program within those 10 days.

Deposit Rules

• Maximum: ½ month’s rent
• Must be returned within 10 days of tenancy ending, with an itemized statement if deductions are made

Disputing in Nova Scotia

File with the Director of Residential Tenancies.

Quebec

• The landlord can't ask for any amount other than the rent, as a deposit or otherwise.
• The landlord can't require payment by post-dated cheque or other post-dated instrument.
• The landlord can't collect rent in advance for more than the first payment period, and never more than one month's rent.

Disputes about money a landlord collected go to the Tribunal administratif du logement; the rest of Quebec’s rules are in the Quebec tenant rights guide.

New Brunswick

• The deposit can be up to one week's rent for a week-to-week lease, and up to one month's rent for a month-to-month, year-to-year or fixed-term lease.
• A landlord can ask for the first month's rent and a deposit, but not the first and last month's rent.
• A landlord who collects a deposit must submit it to the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office within 15 days.
• At move-out, each tenant named on the Certificate of Deposit applies separately for the return of their share.

Prince Edward Island

• The deposit can be no more than one week's rent where rent is paid weekly, or one month's rent where it is paid monthly.
• A landlord can require only one security deposit, and only when the tenancy agreement is entered into.
• Within two banking days it goes into an interest-bearing account at a financial institution in the province (a trust account used only for deposits, for landlords with three or more units).
• It is returned in full plus the interest it earned while the landlord held it.
• Within 15 days after the tenancy ends the landlord returns it, in full or in part, or files an application with the Rental Office to keep some or all of it.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• The deposit can be no more than three-quarters of the first month's rent for a monthly agreement or a fixed term of 6 to 12 months with monthly rent, and no more than the first two weeks' rent for a weekly one.
• The deposit isn't the landlord's money: the landlord holds it in trust.
• The landlord pays interest on it for the whole time it held the deposit.
• It is returned within 10 days after the tenant moves out unless the landlord claims some or all of it; if they disagree, either can apply to the Residential Tenancies Office.

Normal Wear and Tear vs Damage: The Key Distinction

In every province, landlords can only deduct for damage beyond normal wear and tear. This is the most common source of disputes.

Normal Wear and Tear (cannot be deducted)

• Small nail holes from picture hooks
• Minor scuffs and paint fading from normal use
• Carpet worn from everyday foot traffic
• Light scratch marks on hardwood from furniture over years
• Faded curtains from sun exposure

Damage Beyond Normal Wear and Tear (can be deducted)

• Large holes in walls
• Broken doors, windows, or fixtures
• Burns on carpets or counters
• Pet stains or odours
• Excessive mould caused by tenant’s failure to ventilate
• Grease buildup on appliances left unclean

Depreciation Matters

Even for legitimate damage, landlords must account for the age and remaining useful life of the damaged item. If your carpet was 8 years old and had a 10-year lifespan, a landlord cannot charge you for a full new carpet: only 2/10 of the cost.

How to Protect Your Deposit

At Move-In

1. Request a move-in inspection: required in BC and Alberta; recommended everywhere
2. Take timestamped photos and video of every room, including inside appliances and light fixtures
3. Note every pre-existing issue on the inspection report in writing and get a signed copy
4. Email the landlord a summary of pre-existing damage as a paper trail

During Your Tenancy

• Report damage and maintenance issues in writing as they arise
• Keep copies of all maintenance requests and landlord responses

At Move-Out

1. Clean thoroughly: this is the most common deduction and the easiest to avoid
2. Request a move-out inspection and attend it in person
3. Take timestamped photos again in every room immediately after cleaning
4. Return keys on the final day and get written confirmation of the return

If You Haven’t Received Your Deposit

1. Send a written demand by email with a response deadline (5–7 days)
2. If no response, file with your provincial tenancy board (see deadlines below)
3. Bring your move-in photos, move-out photos, lease, and the deposit receipt

Dispute Deadlines by Province

Don’t wait. File promptly: your photos and documentation are freshest right after moving out.

Key Takeaways

• Ontario: No security deposit: LMR deposit only; damage claims go through LTB
• Quebec: Landlords can’t collect any deposit beyond the first month’s rent in advance
• BC: Deposit must be returned in 15 days; late return = double the deposit automatically
• Alberta: Deposit capped at one month’s rent; returned within 10 days with no deductions, or settled with a final statement within 30 days; no deductions without inspection reports
• Everywhere: Landlords cannot deduct for normal wear and tear: only actual damage with proof
• Always do a move-in inspection with photos: this is your most powerful protection

For more on renting in Ontario including eviction rules and LTB processes, see our Ontario tenant rights guide. For BC deposit disputes and the RTB process, visit our BC tenant rights guide. For subletting rules, see our subletting guide. Return to the renting hub for more guides.