How much can a landlord ask for as a deposit?

An Alberta landlord can take a security deposit of up to one month's rent, and only at the start of the tenancy. It cannot be raised later. Refundable pet deposits and refundable key fees count toward that one-month cap, while a non-refundable pet fee is treated as rent and is allowed. The landlord must put the deposit in an interest-bearing trust account in Alberta within 2 banking days, and interest is owed (the rate for 2026 is 0%).

The landlord returns the deposit within 10 days after the tenant gives up possession, or returns the balance with a statement of account. If the exact amount is not known, an estimate is due within 10 days and the final statement within 30 days. There is no double-deposit penalty, but a landlord who does not return it on time can face a fine of up to $5,000. A tenant can apply to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) within 2 years, for claims up to $100,000, or go to the Alberta Court of Justice.

A British Columbia landlord can require a security deposit of up to half a month's rent, and one pet damage deposit of up to half a month's rent if the tenant has a pet. Together they cannot go over one month's rent. A security deposit can be required only when the tenancy agreement is made, and a pet damage deposit only then or when the landlord later agrees to a new pet. The tenant has 30 days to pay (from signing for the security deposit, from when the pet deposit is required). Monthly pet fees and application fees are banned. A refundable key deposit is allowed up to the direct replacement cost, but not if the key is the tenant's only means of access. A tenant who overpaid can deduct the extra from rent.

Interest is owed (the rate for 2026 is 0%). Within 15 days after the later of the tenancy ending and getting the tenant's forwarding address in writing, the landlord must return the deposits or apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB). A landlord who does neither loses the right to claim against the deposit and owes the tenant double. The pet damage deposit can be used only for pet damage unless the tenant agrees otherwise. A tenant has 2 years to claim.

A Manitoba landlord can ask for a security deposit of up to half of the first month's rent, and a pet damage deposit of up to one month's rent. The pet damage deposit can be taken once per tenancy and only when the landlord permits a pet. It cannot be charged for a service animal or for a pet the landlord allowed before June 30, 2010. No payment can be required before the tenancy agreement is made, the landlord must give a written receipt, and application fees are banned.

Interest is owed (0.5% for 2026). With no claim, the deposit and interest go back within 14 days after the tenancy ends. If the landlord wants to claim part of it, written notice of the claim is due within 28 days and the unclaimed part is returned. Using the deposit as the last month's rent needs the tenant's written consent. We found no double-deposit penalty in the Act. Taking more than the maximum deposit, or ignoring an RTB order to return a deposit, can bring administrative penalties of $1,000 (first), $3,000 (second) or $5,000 (third or later). We found no tenant deadline in the sources we reviewed, so ask the Residential Tenancies Branch.

A Saskatchewan landlord can take one security deposit per tenancy, up to one month's rent. At most half can be required at signing, and the balance is due within 2 months after the tenant takes possession. Application fees are banned (section 23), and so is collecting future rent in advance (section 40). We found no separate rule on pet deposits, so ask the Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) before paying one.

Interest is owed only on tenancies longer than 5 years, and we did not find a stated 2026 rate. Within 7 business days after the landlord knows the tenant has left, the landlord returns the deposit, or serves a notice of claim and holds the claimed part in trust for 30 days. The tenant can dispute within 60 days. A clause that lets the landlord keep the deposit automatically is not allowed, and the landlord must take reasonable steps to keep its loss down.

Ontario does not allow a security deposit or a pet deposit. The only deposits a landlord can collect are a last month's rent deposit, which cannot be more than one rent period or one month's rent, whichever is less, and a refundable key deposit that cannot be more than the direct cost of replacing the key. Application fees and other charges from prospective tenants are banned (section 134).

The landlord owes interest on the rent deposit every year at the rent increase guideline (2.1% for 2026 and 1.9% for 2027). The rent deposit can be applied only to the last rent period, not to damage or cleaning. A tenant who paid money the law does not allow can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) under section 135 within one year.

A New Brunswick landlord can ask for a security deposit of up to one week's rent for a weekly tenancy and one month's rent otherwise, or up to three months for a mobile home site. Prepaying the last month's rent is banned. Any other amount a landlord requires beyond rent, a deposit or a reasonable amount for a service is void (section 8(4)).

The landlord sends the deposit to a residential tenancies officer within 15 days, or the tenant pays it to Service New Brunswick. No interest is paid to the tenant. A claim against the deposit goes to the officer within 7 days after the tenancy ends, and the balance is returned within 7 days of the tenant's written request. We found no rule on pet deposits, so ask the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (TLRO).

A Nova Scotia landlord can take a security deposit of up to half a month's rent. A pet deposit is not allowed, application fees are banned (section 6(1)), and any extra money a landlord takes beyond the rent is treated as a security deposit. The landlord must put it in a trust account by the third banking day. Interest has been 0% since 2013.

The deposit must be returned with interest within 10 days after the lease ends, unless the tenant agrees in writing to a deduction or the landlord files a Form R claim within those 10 days. A tenant can use Form S or Form J, within one year after the lease ends. Offences carry fines of up to $5,000.

A PEI landlord can take one security deposit of up to one month's rent (one week's rent for a weekly tenancy), and only when the tenancy agreement is made. No pet, key or holding deposit is allowed, and application and processing fees are banned. Interest is owed (2.75% for 2026).

The deposit must be returned within 15 days after the tenancy ends, or the landlord must apply to the Rental Office on Form 2B. A landlord can keep money only with the tenant's written agreement or for an earlier Director's order the tenant has not paid. A landlord who neither returns the deposit nor applies loses the right to claim against it and can be required to pay the tenant double. A tenant applies on Form 2A, during the tenancy or within 6 months after it ends.

A Newfoundland and Labrador landlord can take a security deposit of up to two weeks' rent for a weekly tenancy, and up to three quarters of the first month's rent for a monthly or fixed-term tenancy. Separate pet deposits are not allowed, and any money taken beyond the rent counts as a deposit. The landlord must give a written receipt and hold the money in an interest-bearing account within 2 banking days.

Interest is 0% for 2026, according to two 2026 decisions of the Residential Tenancies Office (we could not read the official rate schedule, so confirm the rate with the Office or its online calculator). Without a claim, the deposit goes back within 10 days after the tenant vacates. A tenant can apply to the Residential Tenancies Office within one year. A holding deposit paid before any rental agreement exists is not regulated by the Act, so get the terms in writing before paying one.