2. Get your security deposit back
Question & Answer
Can my landlord keep my deposit because of damage?If you paid a security when your started, your landlord is not allowed to keep it to pay for damage or cleaning. Your landlord can only use your security deposit to cover the rent for the last rental before your tenancy ends. That is why security deposits are often called last month’s rent deposits (LMR).
The easiest way to get your security deposit back is to not make your normal rent payment for the last period before you move out. You can tell your landlord to use your deposit, plus any your landlord owes you, for that final rent payment. If it is not enough, you can just pay the difference.
If you didn’t get your deposit back that way, ask your landlord to return it. If they refuse, you can you can call the Ontario government’s Rental Housing Enforcement Unit (RHEU) at 1-888-772-9277 (toll-free) or 416-585-7214.
You can also apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to your landlord to give your deposit back.
Use CLEO’s Guided Pathway to complete Form T1 – Tenant Application for a Rebate of Money the Landlord Owes. This is a free online interview that helps you complete the to the .
