[NefCanuck]

Benzin,May 7 2009, 09:24 PM Wrote:

NefCanuck,May 7 2009, 09:19 PM Wrote:Be very careful, sharing with roommates is a way to save $, but I deal with many horror stories about what happens when roommates go bad.

Only thing I can tell you is that if you want to avoid getting shafted, make absolutely sure that each roommate signs a *separate* lease with the landlord. 

Otherwise if a roommate takes off, the remaining roommates are stuck paying the departed persons share until a new roommate is found to replace them and then have to try and chase the ex roommate down in Small Claims Court for the $.

NefCanuck
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thanks for the advice. what I found is places where I would pretty much share a kitchen and pay directly to the landlord so it won't be my responsibility for the whole place
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Oh god, that's even worse because if you share either of a kitchen or a bathroom with the owner, owners immediate family or rent a room and share facilities with the tenant that is already living there, you are not covered by the Residential Tenancies Act.

What does that actually mean?

It means that you have no way to stop the owner / head tenant from demanding that you leave, at any time and with zero notice.

Sure you can sue them later for damages at Small Claims Court (not the Landlord and Tenant Board as they have no jurisdiction to hear cases like that) but you have to leave immediately if they demand it.

NefCanuck