Damage Deposit Calculator — Canada
Can your landlord charge a damage deposit, a pet deposit, or a last month's rent deposit? Pick your province and the deposit type to see what's legal — and the maximum amount allowed.
Heads up — not legal advice. General information only — not legal advice. Amounts are computed from rules verified in October 2026; rates and caps change over time. CanLegal Docs is not a law firm.
Used to estimate the annual interest on the deposit for 2026, where a published rate exists.
Enter a valid rent to calculate.
Edge cases to know
- Weekly rent: caps follow your pay period — a one-month maximum becomes the weekly equivalent for a weekly tenancy.
- Partial months: the cap applies to the rent period amount in your agreement; ask your board how a prorated period counts.
- Deposit already paid? These are the current rules. Rates and caps change (e.g. NS interest changed in 2013, BC's formula in 2024) — what was legal when you paid may differ.
- Quebec: any deposit demanded is forbidden under article 1904 C.c.Q., whatever it is called.
Official sources
Every rule was verified in October 2026 against the source below. Laws change — always check the latest official page:
- Ontario: Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) — Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (ss. 105–107, 134)
- Quebec: Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) — Civil Code of Québec, art. 1904
- British Columbia: Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) — Residential Tenancy Act, s. 17–18, 38; Residential Tenancy Regulation, s. 2
- Alberta: Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) — Residential Tenancies Act, s. 43–46
- Manitoba: Residential Tenancies Branch (RTB) — Residential Tenancies Act, ss. 111–116
- Saskatchewan: Office of Residential Tenancies (ORT) — Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 32
- Nova Scotia: Residential Tenancies Program — Residential Tenancies Act, s. 8; Residential Tenancies Regulations
- New Brunswick: Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (TLRO) — Residential Tenancies Act, s. 8
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Residential Tenancies Program (Director) — Residential Tenancies Act, 2018, s. 14
- Prince Edward Island: Director of Residential Rental Property (IRAC) — Rental of Residential Property Act
- Yukon: Residential Tenancies Office — Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
- Northwest Territories: Rental Officer (NWT) — Residential Tenancies Act (NWT), s. 14
- Nunavut: Rental Officer (Nunavut) — Residential Tenancies Act (Nunavut), s. 17–18
Frequently asked questions
Can my Ontario landlord charge a security deposit?
No. Ontario bans security, damage, pet, and cleaning deposits. The only deposit allowed is a last month's rent deposit of up to one month's rent, plus a refundable key deposit at the direct cost of replacing the keys. A landlord who insists is breaking the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 — you can recover the money with a T1 application to the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Why is Quebec different?
Article 1904 of the Civil Code of Québec forbids a lessor from exacting any amount beyond the rent — in the form of a deposit or otherwise — and limits advance payment to the first month's rent. So no deposit of any kind is permitted, whatever it is called. Disputes go to the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL).
What's the maximum deposit in BC and Alberta?
In British Columbia, up to half a month's rent for the security deposit, plus up to half a month for pet damage (once per tenancy, not per pet). In Alberta, up to one month's rent for the security deposit, which must be placed in an interest-bearing trust account in Alberta within two banking days.
When must my deposit be returned?
It depends on the province: 15 days in BC and Yukon (after the tenancy ends or the landlord receives your forwarding address), 14 days in Manitoba, 15 days in PEI, and 10 days in Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick (claim filing), Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. In Saskatchewan the landlord has seven business days to return or claim.
Does my deposit earn interest?
In several provinces, yes: Alberta, Manitoba, Yukon, Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, and BC require interest at a regulated rate (often 0% in 2026). In Nova Scotia the rate has been 0% since 2013. In Saskatchewan interest is only payable on tenancies longer than five years.
Put it in your lease
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