As a tenant in Nunavut, keeping clear records of your security deposit helps protect your rights if a dispute arises. This guide explains what landlords should record, what receipts and photos tenants should keep, and the timelines and forms commonly used when deposits are taken or returned. You will learn practical steps for documenting payments, requesting written receipts, and what to do if a landlord fails to provide records. It also explains how to prepare evidence for a tenancy hearing and how to use official forms to make a complaint. Use this information to stay organized, avoid misunderstandings, and increase your chances of recovering your deposit.
Overview of recordkeeping duties
In Nunavut, both tenants and landlords benefit when payments and deposit handling are documented clearly. Good records reduce misunderstandings, speed up dispute resolution, and help the tribunal evaluate claims. Tenants should expect a written receipt for any deposit and a clear statement about where the deposit is held and whether interest applies. Landlords should keep deposit records for the length of the tenancy and for a reasonable time afterward to respond to claims.
What landlords should record
- Amount of the security deposit, payment date and payment method.
- A written receipt or written statement confirming the deposit was received and the landlord's contact details.
- Where and how the deposit is held, including any trust or insurance arrangement.
- Whether interest is payable on the deposit and how interest will be calculated and paid.
- Records of any agreed deductions, with dated notes and supporting photos or invoices.
What tenants should keep
- A copy of the written receipt for the deposit and any clause in the lease about deposits.
- Photos or video taken at move-in showing unit condition and dated evidence of pre-existing damage.
- Bank records, e-transfer confirmations or cancelled cheques showing the payment of the deposit.
- Copies of communications with the landlord about the deposit, including emails and text messages.
Timelines, forms and official steps
Tenants should be aware of the timeframes to request receipts, to dispute deductions, and to file an application with the residential tenancy authority. If a landlord does not provide required records, a tenant can file an application to the tribunal or tenancy office to seek an order for return of the deposit and any applicable interest. For details on the legislation and the office that handles disputes, see the official sources listed under Help and Support / Resources and the footnotes below[1].
Common official forms include an application to the residential tenancy office and the form used to submit evidence or receipts. For an example of how a form is used: if a landlord keeps your deposit without giving a receipt, you would file the residential tenancy application, attach copies of your bank proof and any photos, and state the amount requested plus interest or damages, if applicable[2].
Practical steps for tenants
- Ask for a written receipt the day you pay the deposit and save a copy.
- Take clear dated photos or video when you move in and keep them until the deposit is returned.
- Send requests and disputes in writing so you have a record of the communication.
- Check and follow the time limits to apply to the tribunal; missing a deadline can harm your case.
If you want a plain, searchable list of rental listings while you prepare documentation or look for a new unit, visit Explore Houseme for nationwide rental listings to find options across Canada.
FAQ
- Do landlords in Nunavut have to provide a written receipt for a security deposit?
- Yes, tenants should receive a written receipt showing the amount paid, date, and landlord contact information; keep the receipt as evidence.
- How long should landlords keep deposit records after a tenancy ends?
- Landlords should keep deposit records for a reasonable period after tenancy ends so they can respond to claims, and tenants should keep their own records until the deposit is returned.
- What if my landlord refuses to return the deposit or provide records?
- You can apply to the residential tenancy office or tribunal with proof of payment and supporting evidence to seek return of the deposit and any interest or damages.
How-To
- Gather all evidence: receipts, bank records, photos and written communication regarding the deposit.
- Request a written receipt from the landlord if you do not already have one, and keep copies of your request.
- Try to resolve the issue directly by sending a clear written request for return or an itemized deduction list.
- If unresolved, complete and file the official residential tenancy application, attach evidence, and attend the hearing.
Help and Support / Resources
- Nunavut Department of Justice - Residential tenancy information
- Government of Nunavut official website
- Nunavut legislation and tribunal decisions
