Requirement of a Security Deposit

A security deposit is not required by law, but it is legal for a landlord to request that you give a security deposit. The landlord can offer the tenancy on the basis that you pay a security deposit. You then have a choice to take the tenancy or not. It might be possible to negotiate with the landlord about the amount of the deposit or whether one should be paid or not.

If a landlord collects a security deposit in the form of money, there are detailed rules relating to how the money must be invested and returned to you when you leave.

May 2005