Fees - Legal & Illegal

Some landlords try to get around rent control laws by making up extra charges and fees. Here is a breakdown of some common ones:

Fee/Service

Legal?

Maximum Charge

Late Rent

Yes, but only if it is written in your tenancy agreement

$25.00

Insufficient Funds charge (in your bank account)

Yes, but only if it is written in your tenancy agreement

$25.00

Key/FOB replacement

Yes

Only the cost of the replacement

Moving Fee (into another suite in the building)


*Moving to a different suite in a building is still considered a new tenancy and the rent might get jacked up

Yes

$15 or 3% of your rent.

*In a condo building, stratas are allowed to charge move-in/out fees which the landlord may pass onto you.  

Application fee to rent a suite

No

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Fee to change locks when you move in

No

You may request new locks when you move in at the start of a tenancy and your landlord must do this without charge

Guest Fees

No* 


*But if your guest becomes a permanent roommate, your tenancy agreement might say that a higher rent can be charged with additional roommates. 

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Parking or Storage

No - unless specified in the tenancy agreement (and they cannot be increased if they are)

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Further Reading