Difference between revisions of "Security Deposits in Residential Tenancies (19:IV)"

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LSLAP Manual
This page is from the Law Students' Legal Advice Program Manual. See the full contents.
LSLAP Manual
Introduction
Chapters
1. Criminal Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Etiquette · IV. Criminal Charges · V. Substantive Law · VI. Resolving Prior to Trial · VII. Pleading Not Guilty/Trial · VIII. Other Issues · IX. Charter of Rights and Freedoms · X. LSLAP Policies · XI. Information for LSLAP Students · XII. Etiquette for Law Students · XIII. Practice Recommendations · Appendix A: Initial Sentencing Position · Appendix B: Sample Information · Appendix C: Diversion Application · Appendix D: Sentencing Hearing · Appendix E: Trial Books · Appendix F: Glossary
2. Youth Justice · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Youth Criminal Justice Act · IV. Youth Justice (British Columbia) Act · Appendix A: Glossary
3. Family Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Marriage · IV. Divorce · V. Uncontested Divorce · VI. Simple Divorce Procedure · VII. Alternatives to Divorce · VIII. Family Violence · IX. Assets · X. Spousal and Child Support · XI. Parenting Orders/Guardianship/Contact · XII. Children and the Law · XIII. Adoption · XIV. Name Changes · XV. Court Procedures · Appendix A: Glossary
4. Victims · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation · III. Crime Victim Assistance Program · IV. Avenues to Address Crime · V. Victims of Sexual Assault · VI. Victims of Relationship Violence · VII. Seniors or Those with Disabilities · VIII. Victims of Human Trafficking · IX. Missing Persons and Abductions · X. TIP and Restorative Justice · XI. Resources for Indigenous Victims · XII. Referrals and Follow-up
5. Public Complaints · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Review of Administrative Decisions · IV. Privacy or Access to Information · V. Complaints against the Police · VI. Complaints against Security Guards · VII. The Right to Vote · VIII. Complaints regarding UBC · IX. Complaints regarding SFU · X. Complaints Re: Other Universities · XI. Complaints against Doctors · XII. Complaints against Lawyers · Appendix A: Glossary · Appendix B: Sample Notice Letter
6. Human Rights · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. BC Human Rights Code · IV. Canadian Human Rights Act · V. BC Civil Rights Protection Act · VI. Rights of the Child · VII. LSLAP's Role · VIII. Indigenous Complainants · IX. Online Mediations & Hearings
7. Workers' Compensation · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation & Policy · III. Introduction to Compensation Claims · IV. LSLAP's Role · V. Limitation Periods & Timing of Decisions · VI. Making a Claim · VII. The Claim Acceptance Process · VIII. Worker Status · IX. Disability and Causation · X. Time Limits & Procedures · XI. Claim Benefits · XII. Appeals · XIII. Health & Safety Regulations · XIV. Assessments of Employers · XV. The WCB Fair Practices Officer · Appendix A: Abbreviations · Appendix B: List of Cases · Appendix C: Referrals · Appendix :D Resources · Appendix E: Claims Process · Appendix F: Checklist for Interviews · Appendix G: Checklist for Appeals · Appendix H: Sample Authorization Form
8. Employment Insurance · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Qualifying for EI · IV. Types of Benefits · V. Benefit Period · VI. Quantifying Benefits · VII. Benefit Entitlement · VIII. Penalties, Violations, and Offences · IX. Keeping Out of Trouble · X. Timing for Reporting · XI. Overpayment and Collections · XII. Reconsideration · XIII. Social Security Tribunal · XIV. Appeals · XV. Judicial Review · XVI. LSLAP's Use of This Chapter · Appendix A: Initial Application Checklist
9. Employment Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Checklist · IV. Preliminary Matters · V. Employment Issues · VI. Remedies · VII. Strategies and Tips · Appendix A: Glossary
10. Creditors and Debtors · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Creditors' Remedies · IV. Debtors' Options · V. Dealing with Debt · Appendix A: Relevant Forms · Appendix B: Examination Checklist
11. Consumer Protection · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Contracts for Sale of Goods · IV. Consumer Protection · V. Direct Sales · VI. Conditional Sales Contracts · VII. Motor Dealer Act · VIII. Miscellaneous · IX. Forum of Redress · X. Consumer Transactions
12. Auto Insurance (ICBC) · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Basic Coverage · IV. Optional Insurance · V. Seeking Legal Counsel · VI. Disputes with ICBC · VII. When You Can Still Sue · VIII. On or Before April 30 2021 · IX. Limitation on Experts · X. Compulsory Coverage · XI. Optional Insurance · XII. Personal Injury Claims · XIII. Out-of-Province
13. Motor Vehicle Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. At the Roadside · IV. Duties after a Collision · V. Violation Tickets · VI. Provincial Offences · VII. Vehicle Impoundment · VIII. Superintendent · IX. Alcohol and Drugs · X. Federal Offences · XI. Driving While Prohibited · XII. ICBC Breaches · XIII. Bicycles · XIV. LSLAP Program Information · Appendix A: Penalty Points and Fines
14. Mental Health Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Theory and Approach · IV. Legal Rights · V. Patient Admission · VI. Consent to Medical Treatment · VII. Involuntarily Admitted · VIII. Youth · IX. Criminal Code · X. Complaints · XI. References · XII. LSLAP File Administration Policy
15. Adult Guardianship · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation · III. Mental Capacity · IV. Substitute Decision Making · V. Adult Guardianship · VI. Adult Abuse and Neglect · VII. Sources and Resources · Appendix A: EPOA · Appendix B: Decision Tree
16. Wills and Estate Administration · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Making and Executing · IV. Mistakes and Alterations · V. Court's Power · VI. Revocation · VII. Wills Variation Claims · VIII. Intestacy · IX. Property · X. First Nations and Wills · XI. Estate Administration · XII. Duties of a Personal Representative · XIII. Taxation: RRSP & RRIF & TFSA · XIV. LSLAP File Administration Policy · Appendix A: Questionnaire · Appendix B: Checklist · Appendix C: Glossary
17. Citizenship · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Who is a Canadian Citizen? · IV. Advantages & Responsibilities · V. Citizenship Grants · VI. Applying for Citizenship Grant · VII. Loss and Renunciation · VIII. Proof · IX. Search of Citizenship Record · X. Referrals
18. Immigration Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Players · IV. Categories of Persons · V. PR Application · VI. Identifications · VII. IRB · VIII. Loss of PR · IX. Temporary Residence Matters · X. Removal Orders · XI. Appeals · XII. Offences · XIII. Issues at Sentencing · XIV. Contacts
19. Landlord and Tenant Law · I. Residential Tenancy Act · II. Tenancy Agreements · III. Moving In and Moving Out · IV. Security Deposits · V. Repair and Service · VI. Rent Increase · VII. Tenant's Rights · VIII. Subletting and Assignment · IX. Termination/Eviction · X. Dispute Resolution · XI. Common Law · XII. Strata Law · XIII. Assisted Living · XIV. Commercial Tenancies · XV. Manufactured Homes · XVI. Income Assistance · XVII. Illegal Suites · XVIII. Forms · XIX. Governing Legislation and Resources
20. Small Claims and the CRT · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Do You Have a Claim? · IV. Choosing the Proper Forum · V. Starting a Claim · VI. Responding to a Claim · VII. Default Order · VIII. How a Claim Proceeds · IX. Pre-Trial · X. Mediation · XI. Settlement Conferences · XII. Trial/Pre-Trial Conferences · XIII. Trial Preparation · XIV. Trials · XV. Costs and Penalties · XVI. Appeals · XVII. Enforcement of a Judgement · Appendix A: Registries · Appendix B: Demand Letter · Appendix C: Notice of Claim · Appendix D: Reply to Claim · Appendix E: Glossary · Appendix F: Limitation Periods · Appendix G: Causes of Action · Appendix H: Court Fees · Appendix I: Tribunal Fees · Appendix J: Settlement Conference · Appendix K: Payment Hearing · Appendix L: Appeal · Appendix M: LSLAP Policy
21. Welfare Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation and Resources · III. Eligibility · IV. Special Situations · V. Eligibility Factors · VI. Hardship Assistance · VII. Overpayments and Fraud · VIII. Rates and Payment Issues · IX. Additional Benefits · X. Health Supplements · XI. Appeals
22. Strata Law · I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation · III. Strata Concept · IV. Strata Plan · V. Common Property and Assets · VI. Governance · VII. Management · VIII. Finances · IX. Collections · X. Bylaws and Rules · XI. Rentals and Accommodations · XII. Privacy · XIII. Insurance · XIV. Repair and Maintain · XV. Dispute Resolution · XVI. Recourse to the Courts
23. Referrals · I. General · II. Family Law & Women · III. Residential Tenancy · IV. Human Rights · V. Wills & Estates · VI. Immigration & Refugee · VII. Disability · VIII. Employment · IX. Debt · X. Indigenous · XI. Police Complaints · XII. Chinese Language · XIII. Others
v • d • e

A. General

A requirement that a tenant pay a security deposit is an express term of the model agreement. Security deposit is defined in s 1 of the RTA very broadly. It can include money or property or almost any other item of value to be held by a landlord for the purpose of securing the performance of a tenant’s obligations under the agreement and the RTA (e.g. the payment of rent and the obligation to leave the rental unit in the same condition they were received). A security deposit is a deposit which may cover a variety of costs to the landlord: see Balfour v. Thomson, Vancouver Registry F771652 (BC Co Ct). A security deposit does not include: a post-dated cheque for rent, a pet damage deposit, or a fee prescribed under RTR ss 6 and 7. See RTB Policy Guideline 29: Security Deposits.

A landlord can only request a security deposit from a tenant as a condition of entering into a tenancy agreement, not after the agreement has been formed. However, pursuant to s 20, if a landlord permits a tenant to keep a pet on the residential property the landlord may require the tenant to pay a pet damage deposit in accordance with s 19 at the time the tenant moves in with a pet, or at the time a tenant acquires a pet.

B. Requirements Under the RTA

1. Amount

A security deposit demanded or received must not exceed one half of the monthly rent (RTA, s 19(1)). Only one security deposit can be required for each rental unit (s 20(b)). A landlord can also ask for an additional ½ month rent as a pet damage deposit (s 19(2)). The tenant may, with the landlord’s permission, set off all or part of a security deposit against the rent that is due from him or her (s 21). Any excess security deposit paid (more than ½ of the amount payable as rent at the beginning of the tenancy) to the landlord may be set off by the tenant, presumably without the landlord’s permission (s 19(2)). Failure to pay a lawful security deposit is a ground for ending the tenancy (s 47(1)(a)). The landlord may give a one-month end of tenancy notice if the tenant fails to pay the security deposit within 30 days.

2. Inspection Reports

The RTA requires landlords and tenants to do move-in (ss 23 and 24) and move-out (ss 35 and 36) condition inspection reports. The rights to the security deposit of a landlord or tenant who does not participate in the condition inspection process may be extinguished.

C. Return of Security Deposit and Pet Damage Deposit

When a tenant moves out, he or she must provide his or her landlords with a forwarding address in writing. The security deposit must be returned to the tenant, with interest, or the landlord must file for dispute resolution to retain the deposit, within 15 days after the date at which the tenancy ends, or the date the landlord receives the tenant’s forwarding address, which must be in writing, whichever is later.

If a landlord does not comply with s 38(1) of the RTA (fails to return deposits within 15 days, and fails to file for dispute resolution) and the tenant still has a valid right to the deposit, (the tenant may apply for dispute resolution) the landlord may not make a claim against the security deposit or any pet damage deposit, and must pay the tenant double the amount of the security deposit, pet damage deposit, or both (s 38(6)).

Retrieved from "https://stagewiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Security_Deposits_in_Residential_Tenancies_(19:IV)&oldid=29814"

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 === 1. Amount ===
-A security  deposit  demanded  or  received  must  not  exceed one  half  of  the  monthly  rent (RTA,  s  19(1)).  Only  one  security  deposit  can  be  required  for  each  rental  unit  (s  20(b)).  A landlord can also ask for an additional ½ month rent as a pet damage deposit (s 19(2)). The tenant may, with the landlord’s permission, set off all or part of a security deposit against the rent that is due from him or her (s 21). Any excess security deposit paid (more than ½ of the amount payable as rent at the beginning of the tenancy) to the landlord may be set off by the  tenant,  presumably  without  the  landlord’ s  permission  (s  19(2)).  Failure  to  pay  a  lawful security deposit is a ground for ending the tenancy (s 47(1)(a)). The landlord may give a one-month end of tenancy notice if the tenant fails to pay the security deposit within 30 days. 2.Inspection Reports The RTA requires landlords and tenants to do move-in (ss 23 and 24) and move-out (ss 35 and  36)  condition  inspection  reports.  The  rights  to  the  security  deposit  of  a  landlord  or tenant who does not participate in the condition inspection process may be extinguished. C.Return of Security Deposit and Pet Damage Deposit When  a  tenant  moves  out,  he  or  she  must  provide  his or  her landlords  with  a  forwarding  address  in writing. The security deposit must be returned to the tenant, with interest, or the landlord must file for dispute resolution to retain the deposit, within 15 days after the date at which the tenancy ends, or the date the landlord receives the tenant’ s forwarding address, which must be in writing, whichever is later. If  a  landlord  does  not  comply  with  s  38(1)  of  the  RTA  (fails  to  return  deposits  within  15  days,  and fails to file for dispute resolution) and the tenant still has a valid right to the deposit, (the tenant may apply for dispute resolution) the landlord may not make a claim against the security deposit or any pet damage  deposit, and  must  pay  the  tenant  double  the  amount  of  the  security  deposit,  pet damage deposit, or both (s 38(6)).
+A security deposit demanded or received must not exceed one half of the monthly rent (RTA, s 19(1)). Only one security deposit can be required for each rental unit (s 20(b)). A landlord can also ask for an additional ½ month rent as a pet damage deposit (s 19(2)). The tenant may, '''with the landlord’s permission''', set off all or part of a security deposit against the rent that is due from him or her (s 21). Any excess security deposit paid (more than ½ of the amount payable as rent at the beginning of the tenancy) to the landlord may be set off by the tenant, presumably without the landlord’s permission (s  19(2)). Failure to pay a lawful security deposit is a ground for ending the tenancy (s 47(1)(a)). The landlord may give a one-month end of tenancy notice if the tenant fails to pay the security deposit within 30 days.
+=== 2. Inspection Reports ===
+The RTA requires landlords and tenants to do move-in (ss 23 and 24) and move-out (ss 35 and 36) condition inspection reports. The rights to the security  deposit of a landlord or tenant who does not participate in the condition inspection process may be extinguished.
+== C. Return of Security Deposit and Pet Damage Deposit ==
+When a tenant moves out, he or she must provide his or her landlords with a forwarding address in writing. The security deposit must be returned to the tenant, '''with interest''', or the landlord must file for dispute resolution to retain the deposit, within 15 days after the date at which the tenancy ends, or the date the landlord receives the tenant’s forwarding address, which '''must be in writing, whichever is later'''.
+If a landlord does not comply with s 38(1) of the RTA (fails to return deposits within 15 days, and fails to file for dispute resolution) and the tenant still has a valid right to the deposit, (the tenant may apply for dispute resolution) the landlord may not make a claim against the security deposit or any pet damage deposit, and must pay the tenant double the amount of the security deposit, pet damage deposit, or both (s 38(6)).