# Can my landlord force me to pay a fee for new keys?

- Jurisdiction: Canada
- Practice area: Tenancy Law
- Published: 2026-10-30
- Last updated: 2026-10-30
- Canonical: https://lawasked.com/ca/tenancy-law/can-my-landlord-force-me-pay-fee-new

## Question

I moved into a small apartment in Ontario back in January, and everything seemed fine until last Tuesday. My landlord, who manages the whole building, sent me an email stating that because I requested a replacement set of keys after losing mine, I am required to pay a $75 key deposit before they will hand them over. I checked my original lease agreement from the start of my tenancy, and there is absolutely no mention of any extra charges or deposits for keys being required. I tried to explain to the property manager that I thought all these extra fees were against the rules, but they insisted it is a standard part of their building programme and that I must pay the amount to get my new set. I have already paid my regular monthly rent on time, but I am really frustrated by this unexpected cost. I am unsure if they are actually allowed to demand this kind of money from me, or if they can legally make me pay a deposit for keys even if it wasn't in my initial paperwork. Is this extra charge considered an illegal fee?

## Summary

No, your landlord cannot legally charge you a $75 key deposit for replacement keys. Under Ontario law, landlords are prohibited from collecting key deposits or other extra fees from tenants.

## Analysis

Based on the facts provided, your landlord's demand for a $75 key deposit is likely illegal. Under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, there are strict rules about what money a landlord can collect from you.

Specifically, the law states that "no landlord shall, directly or indirectly, with respect to any rental unit, (a) collect or require or attempt to collect or require from a tenant... a fee, premium, commission, bonus, penalty, key deposit or other like amount of money whether or not the money is refundable" [1]. This means that even if the property manager claims this is a "standard part of their building programme," they are still prohibited from demanding a key deposit from you [1]. This rule also applies to property managers acting on behalf of a landlord [1].

Furthermore, the law limits the types of security deposits a landlord can take. It specifies that "the only security deposit that a landlord may collect is a rent deposit" [3]. A rent deposit is money held to cover rent, not a fee for services or lost items. Since your original lease does not mention this charge, and the law generally prohibits such deposits, the $75 demand appears to be an illegal fee.

If a landlord does collect money in violation of these rules, you have the right to seek it back. A tenant "may apply to the Board for an order that the landlord, superintendent or agent of the landlord pay to the tenant any money the person collected or retained in contravention of this Act" [2].

Please note that provincial or local laws may add further rules regarding tenant rights and landlord obligations.

## Statutory citations

- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario), S.O. 2006, c. 17, s. 134 - Additional charges prohibited [in force] (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/06r17#BK134)
  > no landlord shall, directly or indirectly, with respect to any rental unit, (a) collect or require or attempt to collect or require from a tenant... a fee, premium, commission, bonus, penalty, key deposit or other like amount of money whether or not the money is refundable
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario), S.O. 2006, c. 17, s. 135 - Money collected illegally [in force] (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/06r17#BK135)
  > A tenant or former tenant of a rental unit may apply to the Board for an order that the landlord, superintendent or agent of the landlord pay to the tenant any money the person collected or retained in contravention of this Act
- Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (Ontario), S.O. 2006, c. 17, s. 105 - Security deposits, limitation [in force] (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/06r17#BK105)
  > The only security deposit that a landlord may collect is a rent deposit

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