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Ontario|Landlord & TenantResidential 440 Roommates: Rights & Obligations The Tenant Protection Act is the law that deals with residential landlord and tenant relationships in Ontario. This law sets out the rights and obligations that both landlords and tenants have. However, it says almost nothing about rights and obligations that roommates have toward each other.
The Tenant Protection Act says that landlords only have to recognize tenants that the landlord knows about and that the landlord has approved of. For example, if you live alone and have a lease with a landlord, and your partner or friend comes to live with you, they will only be a guest, not a tenant. You will still be responsible for paying all the rent to the landlord. If you leave your tenancy, your partner or friend would have no right to stay in the apartment.
If you and another person wish to rent an apartment as roommates, you should ensure that both of you sign the lease with the landlord. However, you should understand that if your roommate does not pay their share of the rent, you may have to pay it. Also, if your roommate leaves without giving notice, you may be responsible for the whole lease.
If your roommate leaves the apartment, you may be able to find another roommate to replace them. In order for this person to be added to the lease, you must have the landlord approve them as a tenant.
Because the law is not clear about the legal obligations of roommates, it is a good idea to be very careful about entering into such an arrangement with anyone.
For further information about roommates and tenancies, contact a community legal clinic, or the Federation of Metro Tenants. This number is listed on the Legal Line Guide and website, and in the Blue pages of the telephone book
RESIDENTIAL: EVICTION PROCEDURES
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