- A security deposit cannot be more than half of one month's rent, and a pet damage deposit has the same cap.
- The tenant must pay within 30 days of signing the tenancy agreement, and only one security deposit and one pet deposit may be taken.
- If you overpaid, you can withhold the difference from the next month's rent after telling the landlord in writing.
Moving into a rental often means handing over money before you have the keys. Knowing the limits helps you spot a request that goes too far, and helps landlords stay within the rules.
This article covers residential tenancies in British Columbia. Manufactured home park tenancies follow separate rules for rent, notices and deposits, so they should be checked separately.
This article covers the law of British Columbia.
The maximum security deposit
A security deposit cannot be more than half of one month's rent. To check a request, take your monthly rent and divide it by two. That figure is the most a landlord may ask for as a security deposit.
Only one security deposit may be taken. A landlord cannot ask for a second deposit later in the tenancy to top it up.
Pet damage deposits
The pet damage deposit is also capped at half of one month's rent, regardless of the number of pets, and only one may be required. Together, the two deposits can total a full month's rent.
It is due at the start of the tenancy, or when the tenant gets a pet during the tenancy. It covers pet-caused damage unless the parties agree otherwise in writing or an arbitrator orders otherwise. If it does not cover the damage, the landlord can request an order for the tenant to pay additional costs.
- Landlords decide whether pets are allowed and may set limits on size, type and number.
- A no-pets clause is allowed, and the landlord need not remove it on request.
- Certified guide and service dogs are not pets, so no pet damage deposit can be charged for them.
When the deposit is collected
Security deposits are collected at the start of the tenancy. The tenant must pay within 30 days of signing the tenancy agreement.
Interest may be owed on the deposit. The Province lists the rate as 0% for 2026, 0.95% for 2025, 2.7% for 2024 and 1.95% for 2023.
Fees a landlord cannot charge
Beyond the deposits, some charges are not allowed. Landlords cannot charge a fee for pets beyond a pet damage deposit, such as a monthly pet fee. They also cannot charge a fee for accepting, reviewing or processing a rental application, or a fee for returning the deposit. The Regulation also bars guest fees.
Getting the deposit back
The deposit has to be dealt with when the tenancy ends. Within 15 days after the later of the tenancy's end date or the date the landlord receives the tenant's forwarding address in writing, the landlord must repay the deposit with interest or apply for dispute resolution to claim against it. If the landlord fails to do so, the landlord may not claim against the deposit and must pay the tenant double the deposit.
If the landlord takes no action in 15 days, the tenant can make a direct request application, and the landlord may be ordered to pay double the deposit. The landlord must calculate interest before returning the deposit or applying for deductions. The Province says to give the forwarding address in writing, and the tenant has up to one year after the tenancy ends.
- If the tenant does not give a forwarding address within one year after the tenancy ends, the landlord may keep the deposit and the tenant's right to it ends.
- A tenant who does not take part in the move-out condition inspection when the landlord asks may lose the right to have the deposit returned.
- A landlord who skips inspection duties can lose the right to claim against the deposit.
Because these steps depend on dates and paperwork, keep a copy of the written forwarding address you give and note the day you gave it.
If a landlord asks for too much, and next steps
If you have overpaid a deposit, you can withhold the difference from your next month's rent, but you must tell the landlord in writing. Otherwise, you can seek dispute resolution to recover the overpaid amount.
- Check your monthly rent and work out half of it.
- Confirm you are only being asked for one security deposit and one pet deposit.
- Keep a receipt for every payment.
- If you overpaid, write to the landlord explaining the amount and why before deducting from rent.
- If the landlord disagrees, consider dispute resolution, and speak to a lawyer if the amounts are large or unclear.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most a BC landlord can ask for as a security deposit?
Half of one month's rent. Only one security deposit may be taken.
Can a landlord charge both a security deposit and a pet deposit?
Yes, each can be up to half of one month's rent, so the two together can total a full month's rent. Only one pet deposit may be required, regardless of the number of pets.
Can a landlord charge a monthly pet fee or application fee?
No. Landlords cannot charge a fee for pets beyond a pet damage deposit, or a fee for accepting, reviewing or processing a rental application.
What if I paid more than the limit?
You can withhold the difference from your next month's rent if you tell the landlord in writing. Otherwise, you can seek dispute resolution to recover it.
Sources
- gov.bc.ca – Tenancy deposits and fees — www2.gov.bc.ca
- gov.bc.ca – Pets and tenancy — www2.gov.bc.ca
- Residential Tenancy Act, s. 38 — bclaws.gov.bc.ca
- gov.bc.ca – Moving out of rental units — www2.gov.bc.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
This is a real estate question
A home purchase with us is from $1,900.88, tax included. Third-party fees are extra.