British Columbia landlords can ask for a security deposit of up to half a month's rent, plus a pet deposit of up to half a month's rent. Work out the limit for your rent and the interest owed.
Largest total deposit allowed
$1,800.00
The most a landlord can ask for is $1,800.00, including a pet deposit of $900.00. The 2026 interest rate is 0%, so no interest builds up this year.
| Deposit limit | Up to half of the first month's rent, taken only when the tenancy agreement is signed. The deposit stays the same when the rent goes up later. |
|---|---|
| Pet deposits | A separate pet damage deposit of up to half a month's rent is allowed, no matter how many pets. Monthly pet fees are not allowed, and there is no pet deposit for guide or service dogs. |
| Interest | Interest is set each year at 4.5% below the prime rate and compounded annually. It is 0% for 2026. Earlier years still earn their own rates: 0.95% in 2025, 2.7% in 2024 and 1.95% in 2023. |
| Returning the deposit | Within 15 days after the later of the day the tenancy ends and the day the landlord gets the forwarding address in writing, the landlord must return the deposit with interest or apply to keep some of it. Missing the deadline means paying the tenant double. |
| Disputes | Residential Tenancy Branch |
The calculator multiplies the monthly rent by the fraction of a month the province allows, adds a pet deposit when the tenant has a pet, and rounds down to the cent. It then shows one year of interest at the 2026 rate.
Largest security deposit = monthly rent x 0.5, rounded down to the centLargest pet deposit = monthly rent x 0.5, rounded down to the centOne year of interest = total deposit x 0 / 100Say the rent is $1,800 a month and the tenant has a pet.
| Step | How | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit | $1,800 x 0.5 | $900.00 |
| Pet deposit | $1,800 x 0.5 | $900.00 |
| Largest total deposit | $900.00 + $900.00 | $1,800.00 |
| One year of interest | $1,800.00 x 0 / 100 | $0.00 |
The most a landlord can ask for is $1,800.00, including a pet deposit of $900.00. The 2026 interest rate is 0%, so no interest builds up this year.
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 Residential Tenancy Branch.
Checked against these official sources on September 27, 2026:
Up to half of the first month's rent, taken only when the tenancy agreement is signed. The deposit stays the same when the rent goes up later.
A separate pet damage deposit of up to half a month's rent is allowed, no matter how many pets. Monthly pet fees are not allowed, and there is no pet deposit for guide or service dogs.
Interest is set each year at 4.5% below the prime rate and compounded annually. It is 0% for 2026. Earlier years still earn their own rates: 0.95% in 2025, 2.7% in 2024 and 1.95% in 2023.
Within 15 days after the later of the day the tenancy ends and the day the landlord gets the forwarding address in writing, the landlord must return the deposit with interest or apply to keep some of it. Missing the deadline means paying the tenant double.
Find the earliest date a month-to-month tenancy can end when a tenant gives notice, under your province's rules.
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