Rent Deposit Checker
Check the highest deposit allowed in Ontario or Manitoba, see whether a deposit paid is over the limit, and estimate the interest owed. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Enter the monthly rent.
Information only, not legal advice. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.
The rules, with sources
Last checked October 26, 2026.
Ontario
Highest rent deposit
No more than one month's rent for a monthly tenancy, or one week's rent for a weekly tenancy.
Source: Tribunals Ontario: A Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act (LTB brochure) Exact section: Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario), s. 106
What it can be used for
It can only be used as the rent payment for the last month or week before the tenant moves out. It cannot be used for anything else, such as repairing damage.
Source: Tribunals Ontario: A Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act (LTB brochure) Exact section: Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario), s. 106
Interest
The landlord must pay the tenant interest on the rent deposit every year. The rate is the same as the rent increase guideline.
Source: Tribunals Ontario: A Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act (LTB brochure) Exact section: Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario), s. 106
After a rent increase
When the landlord gives notice of a rent increase, the landlord can also ask the tenant to increase the rent deposit by the same amount.
Source: Tribunals Ontario: A Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act (LTB brochure) Exact section: Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario), s. 106
Other deposits
The only security deposit a landlord may collect is a rent deposit. A refundable key, remote entry device or card deposit is also allowed, up to the expected direct replacement cost. No damage deposit is allowed.
Source: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario e-Laws), sections 38, 44, 47, 105 to 106, 108, 116, 120, 134, 135 and 191; O. Reg. 516/06, section 17 Exact section: Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario), s. 105; Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario), s. 134; O. Reg. 516/06 (General), s. 17
Post-dated cheques
A landlord or a tenancy agreement cannot require post-dated cheques or automatic payment (pre-authorized debit or automatic credit card charges) for rent.
Source: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario e-Laws), sections 38, 44, 47, 105 to 106, 108, 116, 120, 134, 135 and 191; O. Reg. 516/06, section 17 Exact section: Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario), s. 108
Using the interest to top up the deposit
If the rent goes up, the landlord can keep the year's interest and add it to the deposit to bring it to the amount of the new rent.
Source: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario e-Laws), sections 38, 44, 47, 105 to 106, 108, 116, 120, 134, 135 and 191; O. Reg. 516/06, section 17 Exact section: Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario), s. 106
Receipts
The landlord must give a receipt for a rent deposit if the tenant asks for one.
Source: Tribunals Ontario: A Guide to the Residential Tenancies Act (LTB brochure)
If something goes wrong
A tenant can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board within one year if the deposit is not returned, is used for something other than the last month's rent, or was an illegal deposit.
Source: Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario e-Laws), sections 38, 44, 47, 105 to 106, 108, 116, 120, 134, 135 and 191; O. Reg. 516/06, section 17 Exact section: Residential Tenancies Act (Ontario), s. 135
Manitoba
Security deposit
No more than half of the first month's rent (the full rent, not a discounted rent). Example in the fact sheet: $800 rent, $400 deposit.
Source: Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch: Deposits fact sheet
Pet damage deposit
One month's rent for a deposit collected on or after August 1, 2014 (half a month's rent for deposits collected between June 30, 2010 and July 31, 2014). Only one pet damage deposit, however many pets. Not allowed for a service animal.
Source: Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch: Deposits fact sheet
Tenant services security deposit
Half of one month's tenant services charge.
Source: Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch: Deposits fact sheet
What the landlord must do
Tell the tenant a deposit is required before the agreement is signed (a pet damage deposit: before the pet is allowed), and give a receipt showing the amount, the date received and the address.
Source: Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch: Deposits fact sheet
Last month's rent
The landlord holds deposits for the length of the tenancy. Tenants can use the money for the last month's rent only if the landlord agrees in writing.
Source: Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch: Deposits fact sheet
Interest
Interest is paid from the date the landlord receives the deposit until it is given back. The government sets the rate.
Source: Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch: Deposits fact sheet
Returning the deposit
If there are no problems, the landlord must return all deposits plus interest within 14 days of the end of the tenancy. A claim against a deposit needs written notice, and the unclaimed part must be returned.
Source: Manitoba Residential Tenancies Branch: Deposits fact sheet
Questions about your own deposit: Landlord and Tenant Board (Tribunals Ontario) (Ontario) or Residential Tenancies Branch (Manitoba, 204-945-2476 (Winnipeg) or 1-800-782-8403 (toll-free in Manitoba)).
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord ask for as a deposit in Ontario?
A rent deposit of no more than one month's rent (one week's rent if the tenant pays weekly). It can only be used for the last month or week of the tenancy. A landlord may also ask for a key deposit, which cannot be more than the cost to replace the keys.
How much can a landlord ask for as a deposit in Manitoba?
A security deposit of no more than half of the first month's rent, and a pet damage deposit of up to one month's rent (for deposits collected on or after August 1, 2014). There can only be one pet damage deposit.
Does the landlord have to pay interest on the deposit?
Yes in both provinces. In Ontario the rate is the same as the rent increase guideline each year. In Manitoba the government sets the rate: 0.5% a year from 2002 to 2026, with no 2027 rate listed yet.
How soon must a Manitoba landlord return the deposit?
If there are no problems, within 14 days of the end of the tenancy, with interest. A claim against the deposit needs written notice, and the part that is not claimed must be returned.
Is the interest on this page exact?
No, it is an estimate and not legal advice. In Ontario the Residential Tenancies Act (section 106) says interest is paid every year at the guideline in effect when it is due, so we count only complete years from the date the deposit was paid. It does not say how to work out part of a year, so we do not put a leftover part-year in the total and have not confirmed a method for it with an official source. We show how two Landlord and Tenant Board orders counted a part-year (days over 365, simple interest) as an example only, and the Board has also stopped interest at the end of the month before the last rent period when the deposit was applied to that last month. Your landlord or the Landlord and Tenant Board may calculate it differently. For Manitoba we spread a simple yearly rate over the days held. In Manitoba the Residential Tenancies Branch has its own calculator. Use the estimate as a guide and ask the Board or the Branch before relying on it.
Does this checker store or send what I type?
No. It runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.