They kept the deposit.

Questions people ask

Can a landlord keep my deposit in Ontario?

In a residential tenancy, the only deposit a landlord can collect is a rent deposit (Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, s. 105(1)). The landlord must apply the rent deposit to the rent for the last rent period (RTA s. 106(10)). A dispute about it goes to the Landlord and Tenant Board, not Small Claims Court. For a commercial lease or a business deposit, the contract sets the terms, and Small Claims Court hears the claim up to $50,000 (Courts of Justice Act s. 23).

Which court do I use to get a deposit back?

It depends on the deal. A former tenant claims a residential deposit at the Landlord and Tenant Board (Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, ss. 135 and 168(2)). A deposit for goods, a service, an event, a vehicle, or a commercial lease goes to Small Claims Court, up to $50,000 (Courts of Justice Act s. 23; O. Reg. 626/00 s. 1). Check the forum before you pay any fee.

How do I sue a business for a deposit in Small Claims Court?

Send a demand letter with one date to pay. If you paid by credit card, ask the card issuer about a chargeback first. Then file a Plaintiff's Claim (Form 7A), attach the agreement and the payment proof (rule 7.01(2)), and pay $108 (O. Reg. 332/16, as stored 2026-01-06). Name the business by its exact legal name. Serve the claim within 6 months (rule 8.01(2)).

How long do I have to claim a deposit back?

In Small Claims Court, 2 years from the day you knew the deposit would not come back (Limitations Act, 2002, s. 4 and s. 5). At the Landlord and Tenant Board, shorter limits can apply. A landlord's claim against a former tenant must start within 1 year after the move-out (RTA ss. 87(1.1) and 89(1.1)). A former tenant's claim for money the landlord kept has the same 1-year limit (RTA s. 135(4)). Check the limit for your forum before anything else.