Security Deposits in Manitoba

Under The Residential Tenancies Act, a Manitoba landlord cannot charge more than one half of one month's rent as a security deposit. If your rent is $1,200 a month, the maximum deposit is $600.

This cap is tied to your rent at the time you sign the agreement. If your rent goes up later during a periodic (month-to-month) tenancy, your existing deposit does not automatically increase -- the higher cap only applies if you sign a new tenancy agreement at the new rent.

Manitoba requires landlords to pay tenants interest on their security deposit every year, at a rate set by the Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB). This is different from many provinces, where deposit interest is rare or nonexistent.

The RTB publishes the current annual interest rate and an online deposit interest calculator on its website. Ask your landlord for a running record of interest owed, or check with the RTB directly if you're unsure how much has accrued.

When your tenancy ends, a landlord who has no claim against your deposit must return it, with interest, within 14 days. If the landlord believes you owe money -- for damage beyond normal wear and tear, for example -- they must send you written notice of the claim.

If the landlord is only claiming part of the deposit, they must return the undisputed portion right away and can only hold back the amount tied to the specific claim.

If you and your landlord can't agree on what's owed, either of you can ask the Residential Tenancies Branch to decide. The RTB will first try to help you settle the dispute through mediation. If that doesn't work, an RTB officer will review the evidence from both sides and issue a binding decision on how the deposit and interest should be split.