2026 Canada Rental Deposit Rules Index
One table for the standard residential rental-deposit rule in every Canadian province and territory, linked to the official source behind each entry.
| Jurisdiction | Standard monthly-tenancy cap | Deposit type | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 1 month of rent | last-month rent deposit | Ontario generally caps the rent deposit at one rental period. |
| British Columbia | 0.5 month of rent | security deposit | British Columbia caps the standard security deposit at half a month of rent. |
| Alberta | 1 month of rent | security / damage deposit | Alberta caps a security deposit at one month of rent. |
| Quebec | No additional standard security deposit | additional security deposit | Quebec generally does not allow a landlord to require an additional security deposit. |
| Manitoba | 0.5 month of rent | security deposit | Manitoba caps the standard security deposit at half of the first month’s rent. |
| New Brunswick | 1 month of rent | security deposit | New Brunswick generally allows up to one month of rent as the security deposit for monthly or longer leases. |
| Saskatchewan | 1 month of rent | security deposit | Saskatchewan caps the security deposit at one month of rent. |
| Nova Scotia | 0.5 month of rent | security deposit | Nova Scotia caps a security deposit at half a month of rent. |
| Prince Edward Island | 1 month of rent | security deposit | Prince Edward Island caps the standard security deposit at one month of rent for monthly or longer tenancies. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 0.75 month of rent | security deposit | Newfoundland and Labrador caps a monthly-tenancy security deposit at three-quarters of one month’s rent. |
| Yukon | 1 month of rent | security deposit | Yukon allows a security deposit up to one month of rent. |
| Northwest Territories | 1 month of rent | security deposit | Northwest Territories caps the standard security deposit at one month of rent. |
| Nunavut | 1 month of rent | security deposit | Nunavut caps the standard security deposit at one month of rent for non-weekly tenancies. |
Why a national deposit table is useful
Canada does not have one national residential deposit rule. Ontario uses a last-month-rent model. Quebec generally prohibits an additional standard security deposit. British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia use half-month caps for the standard deposit. Newfoundland and Labrador uses a three-quarter-month limit for a typical monthly tenancy. Several other jurisdictions use a one-month maximum, but Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut also have staged-payment rules that change how much is due immediately.
That variation matters most when someone is comparing move-in cash across provinces or is new to Canada and does not know which requests are ordinary. A landlord request that looks normal in one province can be inconsistent with the rules in another.
Methodology
The table models the standard maximum for a typical monthly residential tenancy. Weekly leases, subsidized housing, pet deposits, key deposits, mobile-home sites and other special arrangements can use different rules. Every row links to an official provincial or territorial government, tribunal, tenancy office or legislation source.
The calculator multiplier is deliberately simple: 1 means one month of rent, 0.5 means half a month, 0.75 means three-quarters of a month, and 0 means no additional standard security deposit. Where the law allows staged payment, the jurisdiction page explains the timing separately instead of changing the cap.
Question-specific rental rule pages
Broad tables are useful for comparison, but many renters search for a specific problem. CanadaStarter also publishes focused pages such as “Can a landlord ask for three months of rent in Ontario?”, BC pet-deposit limits, Saskatchewan deposit instalments and territory-specific payment schedules.
- 3 Months Rent in Ontario: Is It Legal?
- BC Pet Damage Deposit Limit
- Are Security Deposits Legal in Quebec?
- Alberta Damage Deposit Limit Calculator
- Saskatchewan Security Deposit Schedule
- Nova Scotia Security Deposit Limit
- PEI Security Deposit Limit
- Newfoundland Security Deposit Limit
- Yukon Security & Pet Deposit Limits
- NWT Security Deposit Limit and Payment Plan
- Nunavut Security Deposit Payment Plan
Download and calculate
Download the research CSV →
Canada Rental Deposit Calculator →
Newcomer First-Year Cost Calculator →
Primary sources
Ontario: Ontario — renting and rent deposits →
British Columbia: BC — tenancy deposits and fees →
Alberta: Alberta — starting a tenancy →
Quebec: Quebec TAL — paying the rent →
Manitoba: Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch — deposits →
New Brunswick: New Brunswick — security deposits →
Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan — security deposits →
Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia — residential tenancy renting guide →
Prince Edward Island: PEI — Residential Tenancy Act, section 14 →
Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland and Labrador — Residential Tenancies Act, section 14 →
Yukon: Yukon — responsibilities before, during and after a tenancy →
Northwest Territories: Northwest Territories — rental agreements and deposits →
Nunavut: Nunavut — Residential Tenancies Act, section 14 →
General information only, not legal advice. Residential tenancy law can change; verify the current official rule before paying a deposit or relying on a limit.