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Canada rental agreement — tenancy law by province
Residential tenancies in Canada are governed by provincial law — each province has its own Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) with distinct rules on security deposits, rent increases, and the process for ending a tenancy. There is no federal tenancy statute.
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Provincial tenancy law — side-by-side
| Province | Deposit rule | Rent increase limit | Tribunal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Last month's rent only (no security deposit allowed) | Rent Increase Guideline (2.5% in 2025) | Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) |
| Quebec | Deposits prohibited (except key deposits) | Regulated by Tribunal administratif du logement | Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) |
| British Columbia | Security deposit max 1/2 month's rent; pet deposit max 1/2 month | Annual cap (3% in 2025) | Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) |
| Alberta | Security deposit max 1 month's rent | No cap (annual increase once per 12 months) | Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service |
| Manitoba | Max 1/2 month's rent | Guideline (3% in 2025) | Residential Tenancies Branch |
| Saskatchewan | Max 1 month's rent | No cap, 6 months notice | Office of Residential Tenancies |
| Nova Scotia | Max 1/2 month's rent | 5% cap (temporary through 2025) | Residential Tenancies Program |
| New Brunswick | Max 1 week (weekly), 1 month (monthly) | No cap, 3 months notice | Residential Tenancies Tribunal |
What a Canadian rental agreement should include
- Full names and addresses of landlord and tenant(s)
- Full address of the rental unit
- Start date and length of the tenancy (fixed-term or month-to-month)
- Rent amount, due day, and accepted payment methods
- Deposit rules (province-specific)
- Utilities and services included
- Rules on pets, smoking, occupancy, and alterations
- Landlord's entry rights and notice
- Termination procedure referencing provincial law
- Signatures of both parties
FAQs
Is a rental agreement the same in every Canadian province?
No. Each province has its own Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) setting different rules for deposits, notice periods, rent increases and dispute resolution. The federal government does not regulate residential tenancies.
Are security deposits allowed in Ontario?
No. Ontario landlords cannot charge a security deposit. They can collect last month's rent as a rent deposit (which must pay 2.5% interest annually) and a refundable key deposit.
How much notice is required to end a Canadian tenancy?
Tenant notice is typically 1–2 full rental periods. Landlord notice varies by reason — commonly 60 days for personal use, 120 days for renovations, 10–14 days for non-payment. Each province differs substantially.