Can a landlord charge more for pets?

An Alberta landlord can include a no-pets clause. Where pets are allowed, a refundable pet deposit counts toward the one-month security deposit limit, so it cannot be added on top. A non-refundable pet fee is allowed and is treated as rent. A deposit cannot be raised after the start of the tenancy.

If a landlord wants to add new house rules during the tenancy, they need the tenants' written consent. Without it, they apply when the tenancy ends. Questions go to Service Alberta or the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS).

A British Columbia landlord can ban or limit pets, and where pets are allowed can take one pet damage deposit of up to half a month's rent, no matter how many pets you have. It is on top of the security deposit, and the two together cannot exceed one month's rent. The pet damage deposit can be required when the tenancy agreement is made, or later if the landlord agrees to a new pet, and is due within 30 days of when it is required. Monthly pet fees are banned. The pet damage deposit can be used only for pet damage unless the tenant agrees otherwise.

A tenancy agreement term can change mid-tenancy only with a written agreement that both sides initial, except for a lawful rent increase, a withdrawn service under section 27, or an order from the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB). So a new pet term needs your written agreement.

A Manitoba landlord can refuse pets or limit the kinds allowed. Where a pet is allowed, a pet damage deposit of up to one month's rent can be taken once per tenancy, on top of the security deposit. It cannot be charged for a service animal or for a pet the landlord allowed before June 30, 2010. The pet damage deposit is the only pet charge we found in the Act, so ask the Residential Tenancies Branch before paying any other pet fee.

Pet rules are house rules. A landlord can add or change them if they are in writing, made known to you and reasonable, and you can ask the Branch to decide whether a rule is reasonable. If a new no-pets rule is introduced, pets already in the unit can stay but cannot be replaced.

Saskatchewan's Act does not mention pets. A landlord can set reasonable written rules about the use of the unit (section 22.1), which can include a no-pets rule. We found no official source on pet fees or a pet deposit, so check with the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) before paying a pet charge.

A landlord can add or change these rules without your agreement if they are written, made known to you and reasonable. You can ask the ORT to review a rule (section 22.1(3)). Other lease terms can be changed only by agreement.

Ontario does not allow a pet deposit or a pet fee. The only deposits a landlord can take are a last month's rent deposit and a refundable key deposit, and fees and similar charges are banned (section 134). A no-pets clause in a tenancy agreement is void (section 14). A landlord can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to end a tenancy over an animal only if it substantially interferes with other people, causes a serious allergic reaction, or is an inherently dangerous species or breed (section 76). Condo rules that ban pets can still bind a tenant.

The lease can be changed only by the written agreement of both sides. A tenant who paid a charge the law does not allow can apply to the Board.

The New Brunswick government says a no-pets policy is not discriminatory in itself, and the Standard Form of Lease has a box for pet restrictions. We found no rule that names pet deposits or pet fees.

The landlord cannot change an ordinary tenancy's terms alone. A tenant who has lived there for 5 or more consecutive years can have terms (not rent) changed on 3 months' notice if reasonable and fair, with a 15-day review. Ask the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (TLRO) about a pet charge.

A Nova Scotia landlord cannot charge an extra pet deposit. Any money taken on top of rent is treated as a security deposit (section 12(1)), which is capped at half a month's rent. The landlord's rules must be given to you before you sign (section 9A), and they may cover pets.

Rules can be changed on 4 months' notice before the anniversary date (section 9A(2)), and the change must pass the reasonableness test in section 9A(3). The Residential Tenancies Program can tell you how it applies to a new pet rule.

A PEI landlord can include a no-pets term in the lease. The Act allows only one security deposit per tenancy, so a separate pet deposit is not allowed. We found no specific rule on pet fees, so ask the Rental Office before paying one.

A change to the lease needs both parties' agreement (section 10(4)) or an order from the Director.

A Newfoundland and Labrador landlord can ban pets or limit the types allowed. The government's guide says a separate pet deposit is not allowed, and any money taken beyond the rent counts as a deposit, capped at three quarters of one month's rent for a monthly or fixed-term tenancy. We found no official statement on non-refundable pet fees, so ask the Residential Tenancies Office.

No section lets a landlord change the terms of a rental agreement alone. Whether a new pet rule added during the tenancy would bind you is not stated by any official source we found.