Residential Tenancy Lease Agreement (New Info Available)
This agreement applies if the accommodation is self-contained with a private kitchen and private bathroom. In this case the house or apartment will be covered under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
As of April 30, 2018, rental situations covered by the RTA require the landlord and tenant to use a single standardized lease provided by the Province of Ontario. If you signed a lease before April 30, 2018 then that lease stands, with the exception of clauses that violate the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA).
If you are covered by the Residential Tenancies Act, this Information for New Tenants webpage from the Landlord and Tenant Board applies to you.
Roomer-Landlord Lease Agreement
This agreement applies if a roomer is living with a homeowner, or a member of the homeowner's immediate family, and sharing a kitchen and/or a bathroom with the homeowner. In this case there is no coverage under the Residential Tenancies Act. This usually applies to rooms in private homes or some shared houses where the son or daughter of the homeowner resides in the rental accommodation with you.
Sublet Lease Agreement
If you sublet your room, the original lease agreement signed between you and your landlord is still valid, meaning you are still responsible to your landlord for the rent, any damages incurred by your sub-tenant and any noise complaints, garbage etc. until the end of the agreement. The sublet agreement signed between you and the sub-tenant is separate from the lease, but is just as legally binding. You basically become their landlord. The tenant should never make an agreement with the sub-tenant that lasts longer than their original lease agreement and the rent charged to the sub-tenant cannot exceed that charged by the landlord to the tenant.
Terms of the sublet agreement should by clear and include: rent price, duration of stay, use of common areas and furniture, and price of utilities. A copy of the lease signed between the landlord and the original tenant should also be given to the subtenant along with the sublet agreement. Subletters are responsible to the tenant for paying rent, abiding by the terms of the sublease and reporting maintenance and repairs to either their landlord (the tenant) or the original landlord.
Housemate Agreement
A Housemate Agreement is a contract entered into by tenants of a residency that establishes rules and guidelines for financial and household responsibilities, along with other topics that often arise during housemate visits to Off-Campus Living.