Rental deposit regulations in France and Canada

Both France and Canada issued clarifications on how landlords may handle security deposits.

In France, the law caps deposits at one month’s rent for furnished units and two months for unfurnished units, mandates a one‑month (or two‑month if differences are noted) return period, and allows penalties for late returns. It also specifies which tenant documents landlords may request, banning items such as criminal records and full bank statements while permitting identification, proof of residence and income documentation.

Canada’s rules prohibit landlords from demanding a security deposit altogether, allowing only the first month’s rent up front. Tenants may offer a voluntary deposit without coercion, and any forced deposit can be invalidated by the Administrative Housing Tribunal. For furnished rentals, deposits may be retained only to cover documented damages, and clear tenancy agreements and inventory checks are emphasized.

These parallel clarifications aim to protect tenants from abusive practices while defining landlords’ rights within each jurisdiction.