WATERLOO REGION - A Waterloo landlord and property manager have been fined a total of $5,250 for not refunding $200 key deposits charged to six tenants who moved out.

The tenants complained to the provincial housing ministry. After the government laid charges, tenants got their key deposits back.

A justice of the peace imposed the fines and victim surcharges June 17 after both of the accused pleaded guilty in provincial offences court.

Tenants leased the Waterloo units early in 2017, the government said in a news release. It did not say when they moved out and would not reveal the address, citing tenant confidentiality.

It's the first offence for both the landlord, numbered company 2526328 Ontario Inc., and for Turn Key Property Management Inc., the government said.

By provincial law, a landlord may charge a refundable key deposit in an amount not greater than the expected direct replacement costs of the key, says the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.