Which provinces don't allow security deposits?

Ontario and Quebec don't allow a damage or security deposit. In Ontario a landlord can only collect a last month's rent (LMR) deposit; in Quebec no deposit is allowed at all beyond the first month's rent (article 1904 of the Civil Code).

What's the most a landlord can charge for a deposit in Canada?

It depends on the province. Caps range from half a month's rent (BC, Manitoba, Nova Scotia) to one month's rent (Alberta, Saskatchewan, PEI, and most New Brunswick leases). Ontario and Quebec don't permit a security deposit at all.

How fast must a landlord return a deposit?

Return deadlines vary: 7 business days in Saskatchewan, 10 days in Alberta (balance/statement), Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, 14 days in Manitoba, and 15 days in BC and PEI. Ontario's LMR deposit is applied to your last month rather than returned.

Do security deposits earn interest?

In most provinces, yes — the landlord must pay interest at a rate set by the province (often small). Ontario pays interest on the last month's rent deposit at the annual rent-increase guideline rate.

Which provinces don't allow security deposits?

Ontario and Quebec don't allow a damage or security deposit. In Ontario a landlord can only collect a last month's rent (LMR) deposit; in Quebec no deposit is allowed at all beyond the first month's rent (article 1904 of the Civil Code).

What's the most a landlord can charge for a deposit in Canada?

It depends on the province. Caps range from half a month's rent (BC, Manitoba, Nova Scotia) to one month's rent (Alberta, Saskatchewan, PEI, and most New Brunswick leases). Ontario and Quebec don't permit a security deposit at all.

How fast must a landlord return a deposit?

Return deadlines vary: 7 business days in Saskatchewan, 10 days in Alberta (balance/statement), Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, 14 days in Manitoba, and 15 days in BC and PEI. Ontario's LMR deposit is applied to your last month rather than returned.

Do security deposits earn interest?

In most provinces, yes — the landlord must pay interest at a rate set by the province (often small). Ontario pays interest on the last month's rent deposit at the annual rent-increase guideline rate.

Security Deposit Limits by Province in Canada

How much deposit can a landlord actually charge — and how fast must they give it back? The rules differ sharply across Canada, and two provinces ban security deposits entirely. Here's every province in one table.

By the LeasePlain Editorial Team · Checked against Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act per our editorial standards·Last reviewed September 2026

Province	Maximum deposit	Return deadline	Interest?
Ontario	No security/damage deposit — only last month's rent (max 1 month)	Applied to last month	Yes — at the rent guideline
British Columbia	½ month (+ ½ month pet deposit)	15 days after end + forwarding address	Yes (prescribed rate)
Alberta	1 month	10 days (balance/statement); 30 days final	Yes — interest-bearing trust
Quebec	No deposit allowed — only first month's rent	N/A	N/A
Manitoba	½ month	14 days	Yes (set rate)
Saskatchewan	1 month	7 business days	Yes
Nova Scotia	½ month	10 days	Yes
New Brunswick	1 month (most leases); 1 week for weekly	~7 days for landlord to claim after you request it	Yes
Prince Edward Island	1 month	15 days	Yes
Newfoundland & Labrador	¾ of first month (monthly); 2 weeks (weekly)	10 days	Yes

Notes by province

Ontario: A damage deposit is illegal; only a last month's rent (LMR) deposit is allowed.
British Columbia: Miss the 15-day deadline and the landlord may owe double.
Alberta: No separate pet deposit stacked on top.
Quebec: Deposits are banned under article 1904 of the Civil Code.
Manitoba: Calculated on the full rent, not a promotional rate.
Saskatchewan: Often collected in instalments over the first months.
Nova Scotia: Disputes go to the Residential Tenancies Program.
New Brunswick: Deposit is held by the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office (Service NB); on a refund request the landlord has about 7 days to file a claim or it's returned.
Prince Edward Island: Held pending any claim through the tribunal.
Newfoundland & Labrador: Return unless the landlord has a claim.

The big picture

Two provinces stand apart: Ontario and Quebec don't allow a security or damage deposit at all. Ontario permits only a last month's rent deposit; Quebec bans deposits outright. Everywhere else, the cap is either half a month's rent (BC, Manitoba, Nova Scotia) or one month's rent (Alberta, Saskatchewan, PEI, most New Brunswick leases), with return deadlines from 7 days to 15 days.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Rules and rates change — confirm the current figure with your provincial residential-tenancy authority before relying on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Deposit guides by province

General information, not legal advice. Deposit rules vary by province and individual lease terms. Confirm with your provincial tenancy authority for your situation.