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