Landlord rules, province by province.
Security deposits, rent increases, notice periods and who to call, summarized for all 13 provinces and territories, with links to the official sources. General information, not legal advice.
| Province or territory | Deposit limit | Rent increases | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | One month's rent, set at the start of the tenancy. It cannot be increased when the rent goes up. | Once every 365 days, counted from the start of the tenancy or the last increase. This applies to fixed-term leases too; if the 365th day falls inside a fixed term, the increase waits until the term ends. | Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) |
| British Columbia | Half of one month's rent, payable within 30 days of signing the tenancy agreement. | Once every 12 months, counted from when rent was set or last legally increased. An unused increase from a past year cannot be banked. | Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) |
| Manitoba | Half of the first month's rent (based on full rent, not a discounted rent) | Generally once every 12 months | Residential Tenancies Branch |
| New Brunswick | One month's rent (one week's rent for a week-to-week lease; three months' rent for a mobile home site) | Once every 12 months, and not during the first 12 months of a tenancy | Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (Residential Tenancies Tribunal) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Three-quarters of one month's rent for month-to-month and fixed-term agreements; two weeks' rent for week-to-week | Not more than once in 12 months, not during a fixed-term agreement, and not in the first 12 months of a weekly or monthly tenancy | Residential Tenancies, Government Services NL |
| Northwest Territories | One month's rent (one week's rent for weekly tenancies). For non-weekly tenancies the tenant may pay 50% at the start and the rest within three months. | Not until 12 months after the last increase took effect (or after rent was first charged) | NWT Rental Office (Rental Officer) |
| Nova Scotia | Half of one month's rent. You cannot ask for more when the rent goes up. | Once every 12 months, and not in the first 12 months of a tenancy | Residential Tenancies Program (Service Nova Scotia) |
| Nunavut | One month's rent (one week's rent for weekly tenancies). For non-weekly tenancies the tenant may pay 50% at the start and the rest within three months. | Not until 12 months after the last increase took effect (or after rent was first charged for new premises) | Nunavut Rental Office (Rental Officer) |
| Ontario | A rent deposit of no more than one month's rent (one week's for weekly tenancies), used only for the last rental period. A refundable key deposit is also allowed. No damage deposits. | Once every 12 months, counted from the start of the tenancy or the last increase | Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) |
| Prince Edward Island | One month's rent (one week's rent for weekly tenancies). Only one deposit per tenancy. | Once every 12 months, counted from the last increase or from when rent was first payable | Residential Tenancy Office (Director of Residential Tenancy); appeals to IRAC |
| Quebec | None. Landlords cannot require a security deposit or key money. Only an advance of the first month's rent may be required. | At lease renewal. Rent cannot change during the lease unless the lease is longer than 12 months and provides for an adjustment. | Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) |
| Saskatchewan | One month's rent in total, including any pet, key or other deposits. At signing you may collect at most 50%; the rest is due within two months after the tenant moves in. | Month-to-month: no increase in the first 18 months of the tenancy, then once every 12 months. Members of the Saskatchewan Landlord Association or the Network of Non-Profit Housing Providers: after the first 12 months, then once every six months. | Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) |
| Yukon | One month's rent. Only one security deposit per tenancy agreement. | Once a year, and not in the first 12 months of a new tenancy agreement | Residential Tenancies Office (RTO) |
Rules change. Each guide shows the date it was last reviewed and links to the official source; check it before acting.
See your portfolio reconciled.
Try every feature free for 14 days. Founding members keep 30% off for as long as they stay.