Security deposit calculator

Check the largest deposit a landlord can take in your province, including pet deposits, and the interest owed on it. Pick a province, or open its page for the full rules and official sources.

Your numbers

Filled in with the worked example below. Replace any value with your own. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.

Largest total deposit allowed

$1,800.00

Last month's rent deposit
$1,800.00
Pet deposit
No separate pet deposit
One year of interest
$37.80 at 2.1%

The only deposit allowed is a last month's rent deposit of up to $1,800.00, which pays the final month of rent. At the 2026 rate of 2.1%, a year of interest on it is $37.80.

Deposit limits by province

Every province limits deposits to a fraction of a month's rent, except Quebec, which bans them. A separate pet deposit on top is allowed only in British Columbia and Manitoba. Interest rates are set each year.

ProvinceDeposit limitPet deposit2026 interest
British ColumbiaHalf a month's rentUp to half a month's rent more0%
AlbertaOne month's rentOnly within the same limit0%
SaskatchewanOne month's rentOnly within the same limit0%
ManitobaHalf a month's rentUp to one month's rent more0.5%
OntarioOne month's rent, last month's rent onlyNot allowed2.1%
QuebecNot allowedNot allowedNone
New BrunswickOne month's rentOnly within the same limitNone
Nova ScotiaHalf a month's rentOnly within the same limit0%
Prince Edward IslandOne month's rentOnly within the same limit2.75%
Newfoundland and LabradorThree quarters of a month's rentOnly within the same limit0%

How the calculator works

The calculator multiplies the monthly rent by the fraction the province allows, adds a pet deposit where the province allows a separate one, and rounds down to the cent. Where the province publishes a deposit interest rate, it shows one year of interest at the 2026 rate.

  1. Largest deposit = monthly rent x the fraction of a month allowed
  2. Largest pet deposit = monthly rent x the pet fraction allowed
  3. One year of interest = total deposit x the 2026 rate / 100

Worked example

The calculator opens on Ontario with rent of $1,800. The only deposit allowed is a last month's rent deposit of up to $1,800.00, which pays the final month of rent. At the 2026 rate of 2.1%, a year of interest on it is $37.80. Each province page walks through the same example under its own rules.

This page explains the general rules for private rentals and is not legal advice. Rules differ for some kinds of housing, and they change. For a specific situation, check with the tenancy tribunal in your province.

Security deposit questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Canada?

It depends on the province. British Columbia, Manitoba and Nova Scotia allow up to half a month's rent; Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island allow up to one month's rent; Newfoundland and Labrador allows up to three quarters of a month's rent. Ontario allows only a last month's rent deposit, and Quebec allows no deposit at all.

Which provinces allow a separate pet deposit?

British Columbia (up to half a month's rent) and Manitoba (up to one month's rent). Elsewhere, any pet deposit has to fit inside the one deposit limit, or is not allowed at all.

Do landlords pay interest on deposits in 2026?

Most provinces require interest, but the 2026 rate is 0% in several. It is above zero in Manitoba (0.5%), Ontario (2.1%) and Prince Edward Island (2.75%).

Deposit rules by province

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