Source data
Ontario residential tenancy deposit rules in the provincial standard lease guide
Sources checked
- 01Rent deposit
Check one month’s rent against one rental period. The lower amount is the cap. Source 1
- 02Apply it to rent
Use the deposit for the last rental period. Source 1
- 03Key deposit
Return a refundable key deposit when the access devices are returned. Source 1
- 04Other deposits
The provincial guide lists damage and pet deposits as charges a tenant does not have to pay. Source 1
The deposit’s purpose determines how it must be handled.
Ontario residential tenancy deposit rules in the provincial standard lease guide
This guide concerns ordinary residential tenancies covered by Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act. The province’s standard lease guide identifies housing arrangements that use other rules.
| Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent deposit | No more than one month or one rental period, whichever is less | Landlord may require it on or before entering the agreement | Source 1 |
| Last rental period | Rent deposit must be applied to rent | Deposit is for the final rental period | Source 1 |
| Interest on rent deposit | Pay interest each year | Interest can be used to top up the deposit when rent increases | Source 1 |
| Refundable key deposit | Return it when keys or access devices are returned | Can cover keys, cards or remote access devices | Source 1 |
| Additional or replacement keys requested by tenant | Charge up to actual cost of the keys | Separate from a refundable deposit | Source 1 |
| Pet or damage deposit | Tenant does not have to pay it | Guide says the tenant can apply to the board for recovery of amounts paid beyond allowed deposits | Source 1 |
| Rental unit cannot be provided | Return the rent deposit | Unless the tenant agrees to rent another unit | Source 1 |