Information checked on 2 October 2026. Ontario, BC and Québec have different deposit, lease and dispute systems. Identify the province and tenancy type before comparing requested payments and contract terms. An official-looking form does not make every clause enforceable.
Ontario requires the standard lease for most residential tenancies, with exceptions such as care homes and certain social housing. It records the parties, address, rent, services and payment method. A rent deposit cannot be a damage deposit, and added terms cannot remove Residential Tenancies Act rights. For most tenancies covered by that Act, a landlord needs proper notice and an LTB eviction order; notice alone does not force the tenant out. Ontario standard lease Ontario tenant rights
At the start of a BC tenancy, the security deposit is at most half the initial monthly rent. If pets are allowed, a separate pet damage deposit is also limited to half a month’s rent. This differs from Ontario’s rent deposit. Keep deposit and condition records when signing and moving in. Unresolved tenancy disputes can follow the RTB dispute-resolution process. BC tenancy deposits BC residential tenancies
Québec generally requires the TAL lease form for new residential leases, with specific forms for cooperative, low-rent and other tenancies. A landlord cannot demand advance rent beyond the first payment period, up to one month, or an extra security or key deposit. TAL’s rent-payment guidance explains recipients, agreed payment terms and receipts. If the proper recipient is uncertain, check the procedure to request TAL-authorized deposit of rent rather than simply withholding it. TAL: rent payment TAL: lease forms Tribunal administratif du logement
Lease and deposit rules do not verify the advertiser’s identity. CAFC describes rental scams using below-market advertisements, stolen photographs and pressure to pay quickly. Verify the landlord and payee and retain the advertisement, messages, lease and receipts. Use the relevant provincial process for repairs, entry or termination; one province’s forms, rent-withholding or lock-changing options are not universal. Rental fraud guidance
Before making a decision, fix the date and location, and then check the province, deposit type, lease terms, maintenance and termination procedures item by item; if one item is missing, don’t make a “best” or “certain” conclusion.