Question:
Is it legal to have a security deposit for furniture in Ontario?
Answer:
Landlords have tried a number of ways to get around the last month’s rent deposit and the key replacement charge deposit, however, they have all been ruled out.
No painting charges, parking card charges, locker charges, finder’s fees, application fees, processing fees, registration fees are allowed. And, you can’t force tenants to buy stuff and you will buy it back later, as in furniture, carpeting, draperies, curtains, lawn furniture and equipment etc. They have all been tried unsuccessfully. They don’t work.
There’s a $25,000 fine for an individual Landlord and a $100,000 fine for a corporation, should there be a charge under the Provincial Offences Act. Don’t give that kind of leverage to your Tenant, they have enough rights, already.
Brian Madigan LL.B., Broker