Press Release

The APQ believes that the deposit of guarantee would allow to make the tenants conscious of the impact of their negative behaviours.

Currently, the Civil Code of Quebec does not make it possible to require a deposit of guarantee. This situation results in support of lack of concern of the tenants at the time of departure from the dwelling.

“The absence of the deposit shows a lack of coherence between the obligations envisaged in the Civil Code and measures which are made available to the owner,” says Martin Messier, president of the APQ.

“Without the deposit, certain tenants show negligence, or even bad faith, in the maintenance of their dwelling. Certain tenants leave even with the handles of cupboards and the toilet seat. ”

The owner can obviously make a request to the Rental Board. Unfortunately, the incurred costs and delays as well as the solvency of the tenant make this procedure ineffective in several cases.

The APQ recommends that legislative modifications make it possible for the owners to obtain a safety deposit.

The Government has turned a deaf ear to the claims of the APQ asking for the deposit for several years. This situation has now lasted long enough. The Government seems worried by the possible administrative sluggishness of the debates which will be possibly related to the management of the complaints at the departure of the tenant. The APQ makes a point of recalling on this subject that the Rental Board will be able to decide about the rationality of the claims from the tenant as well as from the owner.

Others provinces
Ontario : Last month's rent may be collected as a deposit
Alberta: A maximum of one month's rent is allowable, in an interest-bearing trust account in a bank
Saskatchewan: A maximum of one month's rent is allowed
British Columbia : The maximum security deposit for residential premises allowed is ½ month's rent
Prince Edward Island : The security deposit cannot be greater than one week's rent for a weekly tenancy or one month's rent in any other circumstances

Manitoba : May not collect more than ½ of the first month's rent. The security deposit is held by the landlord
New Brunswick : A security deposit up to the equivalent of one month’s rent is allowed
Nova Scotia : Security deposits may not exceed ½ of a month's rent.

Founded in 1984, the APQ (the Association of Quebec Landlords) is the most important association to offer services to the owners of rental residences while being present in all the regions of Quebec.