Security Deposits

Effective:  December 1, 2025

Security deposits can only be issued in tenancy situations that are covered by the Residential Tenancy Act or for a housing unit owned by a cooperative association, and cannot exceed one-half the monthly rent, or monthly housing charge. In the case of subsidized rental housing, the monthly rent is calculated as the actual rent payable plus the monthly subsidy. For example, if the rent amount paid by the recipient is $350 and the subsidized amount is $200, the monthly rent is $550.

The ministry may provide a security deposit to or for a family unit that is eligible for income assistance, disability assistance, or hardship assistance if all of the following conditions are met:

• The security deposit is necessary to enable the family unit to rent residential accommodation
• The recipient agrees in writing to repay the amount paid
• The security deposit does not exceed 50 per cent of one month’s rent for residential rental accommodation or 50 per cent of the monthly housing charge for a housing unit owned by a cooperative association

As of December 1, 2025, all recipients are limited to two outstanding security deposits issued after that date. Once the limit of two issued after December 1, 2025 is reached, recipients must repay all security deposit debt prior to December 1, 2025, plus all but one security deposit issued after December 1, 2025 before receiving any new security deposits [see Repayment below].

Exceptions are available if the limit is reached and the recipient meets one of the exception reasons. [see Exceptions below].

The ministry does not assume liability or legal responsibility for rent or for any breach of the tenancy agreement.

Security deposit interest is not recoverable, nor is it considered income.

[For more information, see Additional Resources – Residential Tenancy Act.]

Effective: December 1, 2025

If a recipient has reached the maximum of two outstanding security deposits issued after December 1, 2025, they may be considered for additional security deposits under the exceptional circumstances outlined in the table below. Supporting documentation is required where applicable.

If an exception has been applied, and a recipient is facing another exceptional circumstance, additional security deposits can be considered. For example, if an exception was already provided for a recipient experiencing homelessness, a further exception can be considered if they are now being offered supportive housing.

Exception Reasons

Reasons	Examples	Types of Supporting Documentation (if required)
Current housing is uninhabitable or tenancy agreement ends unexpectedly due to an  unforeseen event without fault of the tenant or landlord	Structural issues such as damaged roof or foundation Health hazards such as mold or rodent infestation Safety issues such as faulty wiring or no smoke detectors Loss of essential utilities, such as heat and potable water, due to infrastructure failure Natural disasters such as flood or earthquake	Municipal building inspector or health officer assessment report or public notices Condemnation notice Police or Fire Department reports Repair or service reports or invoices Communication with Landlord or property management company about the event
Offered and intends to accept subsidized or supportive housing	Accepted a subsidized rental unit after being waitlisted  Needs on-site support and has accepted a supportive housing unit Includes, but not limited to, rental units operated by BC Housing, CMHC, municipal or regional housing corporations, Indigenous housing providers, and non- profits.	Acceptance/unit offer letter from housing provider Move-in confirmation Residential tenancy agreement Housing provider confirmation
To reunite a parent with a child that was removed from the family under the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA)	Adequate housing is considered a factor in assessing a child's safety and readiness for reunification with a parent under CFCSA	Court documents such as custody orders Written agreement with MCFD or an Indigenous Child and Family Services Agency such as a Safety Plan, Support Services Agreement, Plan of Care, Access Agreement, Special Needs Agreement or Voluntary Care Agreement Social worker confirmation
To prevent a child from being removed from the family under Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA)	Maintaining or obtaining adequate housing is a factor in preventing a child from being removed (voluntarily or involuntarily) under the CFCSA Due to safety concerns in the current home, a child and parent may need to move to a  safer residence to avoid removal under the CFCSA	Court documents such as custody orders Written agreement with MCFD or an Indigenous Child and Family Services Agency such as a Safety Plan, Support Services Agreement, Plan of Care, Access Agreement, Special Needs Agreement or Voluntary Care Agreement Social worker confirmation
Fleeing an abusive spouse or relative	Safety concerns have led to a family member requiring to  move to a separate housing unit	No supporting documentation required Apply exception immediately upon recipient's disclosure of fleeing abuse
Experiencing homelessness and has not been provided with a security deposit in the past six months	A recipient living in public spaces, emergency shelters, or experiencing hidden homelessness (e.g.,  temporarily staying with others) has found housing  that requires a security deposit	No supporting documentation required Apply if recipient has no fixed address at the time of the request

Effective: December 1, 2025

As of December 1, 2025, once a recipient has received the maximum of two outstanding security deposits, they must repay all but one security deposit before becoming eligible for any new security deposits.

For all security deposits, a Repayment Agreement/Acknowledgement of Debt (Repayable) (HR2663A) must be signed by the recipient. Security deposits not repaid in a lump sum must be recovered through a monthly deduction from the family unit’s assistance payment. Deduction starts on the second assistance payment after the security deposit is issued. The recovery amount on all outstanding deposit debts is $20 per month or if the recipient leaves assistance, repayment must be made until the debt is recovered.

Recipients may voluntarily repay their deposit debt at a higher amount. 

[For Repayment Agreement/Acknowledgement of Debt (Repayable) (HR2663A), see Forms and Letters.]

[For more information on repayment of security deposit supplements, see Related Links – Recoveries.]