Pets
Can a landlord charge a pet deposit in Canada?
Only where provincial law allows it. BC permits a separate pet damage deposit of up to half a month's rent. Most other provinces fold any pet-related damage into the single security deposit, and Ontario and Quebec don't allow pet (or any) damage deposits at all.
By the LeasePlain Editorial Team · Checked against Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act per our editorial standards·Last reviewed August 2026
In BC the pet damage deposit is on top of the regular security deposit, but still capped at half a month's rent. In provinces with a single deposit cap (like Alberta), pet damage simply comes out of that one deposit.
A landlord can never charge a deposit or fee for a certified service animal.