What are my rights as a tenant?

In Alberta, the security deposit can be at most one month's rent, and the landlord must return it, with a statement of any deductions, within 10 days after you leave. Deductions for damage need move-in and move-out inspection reports, and normal wear and tear cannot be charged. The landlord needs 24 hours' written notice to enter, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and not on a Sunday or holiday without your consent. Rent has no cap, but it can go up only once every 365 days, with 3 tenancy months' notice, and not during a fixed-term lease.

To end a periodic tenancy without fault, the landlord needs a reason from the government's list and 3 tenancy months' notice (365 days for a major renovation). The landlord is not allowed to change the locks to force you out, and only a civil enforcement bailiff, acting on an order, can remove a tenant. Disputes go to the RTDRS or the court.

In BC, the landlord can take a security deposit of up to half a month's rent, plus a pet damage deposit of up to half a month if a pet is allowed, and cannot charge an application fee. The deposits must come back within 15 days after the later of the tenancy ending and you giving your forwarding address in writing, or the landlord may have to pay double. Entry needs 24 hours to 30 days' written notice, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Rent can go up once every 12 months, by no more than 2.3% in 2026, with three full months' notice on form RTB-7.

A landlord can end a tenancy only with a Residential Tenancy Branch notice for a reason the law allows, and must not cut off or restrict an essential service. Only a court bailiff, through the B.C. Supreme Court, can remove a tenant, and a landlord who illegally evicts can face a penalty of up to $5,000.

In Manitoba, the security deposit is capped at half a month's rent, with a separate pet damage deposit of up to one month's rent if the landlord allows a pet. Application fees, and any payment the Act does not allow, are banned. The landlord must return the deposit within 14 days after the tenancy ends, or claim against it in writing within 28 days. Entry needs 24 hours to 2 weeks' written notice at a reasonable time, and rent can rise once a year by the guideline (1.8% for 2026) unless the unit is exempt or the branch approves more.

The landlord must not withhold vital services such as heat, water, gas or electricity, and cannot change the locks without your consent. Only Sheriff's Officers, acting on an order, can remove a tenant, and a landlord who locks a tenant out can face an administrative penalty.

In Saskatchewan, a landlord can take one security deposit of up to one month's rent and cannot charge an application fee. The deposit has to be returned, or a claim filed through the Office of Residential Tenancies, within 7 business days after you move out. Entry needs 24 hours to 7 days' written notice, with a window of up to four hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. There is no cap on rent increases, but most landlords must give 12 months' written notice.

The landlord cannot seize your belongings, cannot cut off or restrict a service without an order or your agreement, and cannot take the unit back without an order of possession and a writ enforced by the sheriff. A tenant locked out without justification can be awarded punitive damages.

In Ontario, a landlord can collect only a last month's rent deposit and a refundable key deposit; other fees, premiums and deposits are banned. Ask for the standard lease in writing: if the landlord does not provide it within 21 days, you can withhold up to one month's rent. Entry needs 24 hours' written notice, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Rent can go up once every 12 months with 90 days' notice, by no more than the guideline (2.1% for 2026), although most units first lived in after November 15, 2018 are exempt.

A landlord can end a tenancy only for a reason the Act allows, using the right Landlord and Tenant Board notice, and cannot cut off vital services such as heat, water, electricity, gas or fuel. Only the Court Enforcement Office (Sheriff) can carry out an eviction, and rental housing offences carry fines of up to $100,000 for an individual.

In New Brunswick, the deposit is capped at one month's rent (one week's for a weekly tenancy), and the landlord cannot ask for last month's rent in advance. The landlord must pass the deposit to the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (TLRO) within 15 days, and to keep any of it must file a claim with the TLRO within 7 days after the tenancy ends. Entry needs 24 hours' written notice to inspect or show the unit and 7 days for ordinary repairs, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and not on a Sunday or holiday. Rent increases are capped at 3% and need 6 months' written notice.

The landlord must keep the unit in good repair and must not deliberately cut heat, water or power except in an emergency or for repairs. Locks can be changed only by mutual consent or with an officer's written approval, and the landlord cannot withhold your belongings or dispose of them without a residential tenancies officer's decision. A tenant of 5 years or more gets 3 months' notice when the landlord or family will move in.

In Nova Scotia, the deposit is capped at half a month's rent, and any extra money a landlord takes on top of rent counts toward that cap. Pet deposits and application fees are not allowed. The landlord must return the deposit within 10 days after the lease ends or file a claim with the Director in that time, and breaking the deposit rules is an offence with a fine of up to $5,000. Entry needs 24 hours to 30 days' written notice, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Rent increases are capped at 5% in 2026 and 2027, with 4 months' written notice.

A landlord cannot end a tenancy to move in without first getting an order from the Director of Residential Tenancies, cannot change the locks without your consent, and cannot stop providing heat, water, power or other services they supply without the Director's permission or the notice a rent increase needs. Applications to the Residential Tenancies Program cost $31.15.

In PEI, a landlord can take one security deposit of up to one month's rent (one week's for weekly rent) and no other deposit, and cannot charge an application fee. The landlord must return the deposit within 15 days after the tenancy ends or apply to keep some of it, or may have to pay double. Entry needs 24 hours' written notice, and the PEI Rental Office says entry is between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Rent can rise by up to 2% in 2026, once every 12 months, with 3 months' notice on Form 8.

The landlord cannot seize your belongings or keep you from them, must give you a new key if they change the locks, and can take the unit back only after you leave or with a Director's order enforced by the sheriff. Breaking the Act can lead to an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or a fine of up to $25,000.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the deposit is capped at three-quarters of a month's rent (two weeks' rent for a weekly tenancy), and a separate pet deposit is not allowed. The landlord must return it within 10 days after you move out, unless you agree in writing to a deduction or the landlord applies to the director. Entry needs 24 hours' written notice at a reasonable time. Rent has no cap, but it can go up only once every 12 months, with 6 months' written notice, and not during a fixed-term lease.

Neither side may disconnect heat, water or electric power without the other's written consent, and locks can be changed only by mutual consent. A landlord can end a monthly tenancy with 3 months' notice without giving a reason, but only the sheriff, with an Order of Possession, can remove a tenant. The landlord must give you a receipt for rent when you ask.