Tenant Entitled to Security Deposit Minus Cleaning Costs
📌 In brief
A tenant sought the return of their security deposit after moving out. The landlord withheld the deposit claiming the tenant left unwashed linen. The tribunal ruled the landlord could keep a portion of the deposit for cleaning costs, returning the remainder to the tenant.
📖 Technical summary
The tribunal found the respondent entitled to withhold part of the security deposit for cleaning costs.
📚 Full judgment
The summary, holding and questions above are VadeLab’s own material. The official decision itself is published by the court, and we do not reproduce it on this page.
⚖️ What tends to weigh in cases like this
✅ Tends to be accepted
- The respondent was allowed to deduct $50 for cleaning the room and removing odour from unwashed linen.
- The applicant is entitled to interest on the remaining $425 from October 31, 2024, calculated as $20.82.
- The applicant is entitled to reimbursement of $125 for paid tribunal fees.
❌ Tends to be rejected
- The applicant's claim for $1,100 in interest was rejected due to lack of explanation for the amount.
Patterns observed in similar cases in this collection — every case is unique.
❓ Frequently asked questions
What was the dispute about?
The tenant claimed the landlord owed him his security deposit, while the landlord argued he could keep part of it for cleaning costs.
How did the court decide, and why?
The court decided the landlord could keep $50 for cleaning costs, returning the rest of the deposit to the tenant because the tenant did not wash the linen as requested.
Which laws or rules were applied?
The Residential Tenancy Act (BC), s. 47 was applied.
What was the argument that mattered most?
The argument that mattered most was whether the landlord was entitled to keep part of the deposit for cleaning costs due to unwashed linen.
Was the decision for or against the person who brought the case?
The decision was partially for the person who brought the case, as the tenant received the majority of the deposit back.
What does this mean for someone in a similar situation?
Someone in a similar situation may be able to recover their security deposit minus reasonable cleaning costs if they can prove the landlord's withholding was unjustified.
What evidence or documents mattered?
Text messages showing the tenant forgot to wash the linen and the landlord's subsequent actions mattered in the decision.