Rental Security Deposits Protect Your Property

 

Provincial and local laws dictate how much of a security deposit landlords can require, under what circumstances they can use the tenant’s deposit funds and a variety of other rules and regulations landlords must follow. As a landlord adding the Home Business Supplement to your Legal Plan gives you the ability to work with a lawyer on this important part of the rental process.

The security deposit laws landlords must follow

While the lease may come into play, ultimately, security deposits are governed by provincial and local laws. Since the rules vary from province to province, it’s critical that you know the laws in the province in which your rental property is located.

On this page

  • The maximum security deposit a landlord can require
  • Legally permitted uses of a tenant’s security deposit
  • The number of days a landlord has to return a security deposit
  • When landlords are required to pay tenants interest earned on a security deposit

The maximum security deposit a landlord can require

How much of a security deposit can landlords require in the first place? Once again, the answer depends upon the province in which the rental unit is located. Here are a few examples.

  • Some provinces limit security deposits to an amount equal to one month’s rent.
  • Some provinces have no limit on the amount of a security deposit a landlord can request.
  • Cities and counties might have different security deposit laws you need to check, especially if the unit is rent controlled.

If this is your first rental or you are unsure about the laws in your province, it’s a good idea to get legal advice to protect your real estate investments. When you join LegalShield with a legal plan and Home Business Supplement, you can be on the phone with an experienced landlord lawyer within four hours after your membership is approved. Your provider lawyer will be able to tell you exactly how to handle security deposits for your rental unit.

Legally permitted uses of a tenant’s security deposit

You collected a security deposit to protect your investment against damage, missed rent and other common tenant issues. But when are you allowed to actually use all or a portion of a tenant’s security deposit? Here are some general rules.

  • To return the unit to its original condition at the end of a lease term (not upgrade or improve the unit).
  • To repair property damage caused by a tenant (this does not include normal wear and tear).
  • To clean the property if it’s excessively dirty when turned back over to you.
  • To pay for removal of property left by the tenant.
  • To make up unpaid rent.

Most provinces require Landlords to send a letter to the tenant notifying them of their intent to use their security deposit funds and to provide an itemized list of deductions and receipts for any repairs they claim to have made. If notification does not satisfy local law, landlords may forfeit their right to use the funds on deposit. Also, the landlord may be required to conduct a walk through with the tenant(s) to point out their reasons for withholding all or a portion of the security deposit and give the tenant a chance to dispute their claims and/or time to make necessary repairs.

 

The number of days a landlord has to return a security deposit

Whether you are claiming deductions from the original security deposit or not, at the end of the lease term, you must return any remaining funds to the tenant within the time period indicated by provincial law.

As with everything else on this page, you’ll need to check the laws in your province or contact a local lawyer to get sound legal advice.

Get legal support to resolve security deposit disputes

LegalShield offers the most affordable way to have a lawyer on your side. As a landlord adding the Home Business Supplement to your Legal Plan gives you the ability to work with a lawyer on this important part of the rental process.