NWT security deposits, instalments and pet deposits

Paying in instalments

For a non-weekly tenancy, the Residential Tenancies Act permits half of the security deposit at tenancy commencement and the remaining half within three months.

Pet deposits

Section 14.1 generally caps an additional pet security deposit at 50% of one month’s rent for non-weekly tenancies or 50% of one week’s rent for weekly tenancies. Only one pet deposit may be charged regardless of the number of allowed pets; landlords cannot charge it for a qualifying service animal. Subsidized or employer-provided housing and pre-September 2010 tenancies may have special rules. The ordinary-deposit calculator does not include this separate pet-deposit limit.

Return, deductions and interest

Section 18 usually requires a deposit return (including accrued interest) and itemized accounting within ten days of the tenant vacating or abandoning the premises. If a landlord proposes deductions, the written notice and accounting must meet the same initial deadline. An estimate of unresolved repairs may allow a final accounting within 30 days, extended to 45 days for significant damage where statutory conditions apply. The Rental Office’s 2026 interest schedule specifies an annual interest rate of 0.01% for 2026; prior tenancy years must be calculated using the rates for those years.

Inspections matter

For tenancies subject to the post-September 1, 2010 inspection requirement, a landlord generally cannot keep deposit money for damage without completed entry and exit inspection reports, and copies supplied to the tenant (subject to statutory exceptions). Keep both reports and photographs and ask the Rental Officer to resolve disputed deductions.

Unclaimed deposits and the official interest table

Section 18.2 contains a limited one-year rule: the right to the return of a security or pet deposit may be extinguished after one year from vacancy or abandonment if the landlord made all reasonable efforts during that year to locate the tenant and return the amount, without success. This is not automatic permission to keep a deposit at move-out. The 2026 Rental Office interest schedule confirms the 2026 rate is 0.01% per annum and provides historical rates for multi-year calculations.

Worked example: deposit limits and move-out deductions

Suppose monthly rent is $1,800. The ordinary security deposit can be no more than $1,800. For a qualifying non-weekly tenancy, the tenant may pay $900 when the tenancy starts and the remaining $900 within three months. If a pet deposit is permitted, its separate maximum is $900 regardless of how many pets are approved. These are ceilings, not automatic charges, and the service-animal exception must be checked.

At move-out, imagine the landlord claims $240 for damage and $100 for unpaid rent. The accounting should identify each amount and the basis for it, with the balance of the deposits and applicable interest returned under the statutory timeline. For damage claims, compare the signed entry and exit inspection reports and distinguish damage from ordinary wear and tear. A landlord's unsupported estimate is not automatically a final entitlement to deduct.

What the tenant should keep

• A receipt for each ordinary or pet deposit and the dates paid.
• The signed move-in and move-out inspections, photographs and a forwarding address sent to the landlord.
• The itemized deduction notice, invoices or estimates and evidence of when the notice and balance were received.

The official 2026 interest schedule lists 0.01% annual interest for 2026. Apply the applicable rate for each earlier year, not the 2026 rate retrospectively. A disputed or missing return can be raised through a Rental Officer application; attach the deposit records and both inspection reports if available.