Yukon Security Deposit Return Rules for Landlords

Security and Pet Damage Deposit Limits

Under the Residential Tenancies Act 2025, a landlord can collect one security deposit per tenancy agreement, capped at one month's rent (or one week's rent for a weekly tenancy). A landlord may also request one pet damage deposit at the start of a tenancy or when a tenant gets a pet, unless the landlord has already allowed the pet. It is capped at half a month's rent (or one week's rent for a weekly tenancy). Any additional security deposit is prohibited. Separate fuel, key, or cleaning deposits in addition to these permitted deposits are not allowed; fees for extra or replacement keys are subject to the permitted-fee rules.

The 15-Day Rule

You have 15 days from the later of the date the tenancy ends and the date you receive the tenant's forwarding address in writing to do one of three things:

1. Return the full deposit with any applicable statutory interest.
2. Obtain the tenant's written agreement authorizing specific deductions — spelling out the amounts and what they cover.
3. File an Application for Dispute Resolution at the RTO claiming retention of the deposit, with supporting evidence of damage or unpaid obligations.

Miss the 15-day window and you forfeit the right to claim against the deposit. The RTO can order you to return the full amount regardless of any damage.

Move-Out Inspections Are Connected

Before you can make a claim against the deposit for property damage, you need evidence from the move-out inspection. The RTA 2025 requires you to offer the tenant at least two good-faith opportunities to participate in the inspection. Unless the tenant has abandoned the unit, your right to claim against the deposit for damage is extinguished if you fail to offer those opportunities, conduct the inspection, or complete the report and give the tenant a copy within seven days after the inspection.

Compare the move-out condition report against the move-in report. Damage beyond normal wear and tear is what you can claim — and you need documentation, not just your recollection.

What Happens at the RTO

If you file for dispute resolution to retain part or all of the deposit, the Adjudicator reviews the evidence: the condition reports, photographs, repair estimates, and receipts. The standard is damage beyond normal wear and tear attributable to the tenant. If the tenant filed first (claiming you wrongfully withheld the deposit), the burden shifts to you to justify the deductions.

Interest on the Deposit

The deposit must be held with statutory interest. When you return it, include the accrued interest. The current rate is published by the Yukon government and applies for the duration the deposit was held.

Prohibited Fees at End of Tenancy

Permitted fees must be specified in the tenancy agreement. They include the direct cost of additional or replacement keys, NSF fees (the bank's service fee plus an administrative fee of up to $25), and the direct cost of services the tenant requests that are not required under the agreement. Prohibited fees include application or screening fees, a fee for the initial set of keys, a guest fee, and a fee for a lock change the landlord initiated.

Our Ending a Tenancy in Yukon guide includes a deposit tracker worksheet with the 15-day deadline and a walkthrough of the inspection process.

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