Share Housing: What you need to know

Share housing is a great way to cut down on costs and make new friends at the same time. This is why a lot of tenants opt to  live in a share house these days.

However, tenants are being advised to be aware of their rights and obligations in a share housing situation. The arrangements are more complicated so they are also encouraged to make sure that they are protected before signing an agreement.

Here are the different types of share housing:

Co-tenancies

In this type of tenancy, all tenants are under only one tenancy agreement and they all have equal responsibility for all obligations stated in the agreement.

Multiple Individual Tenancies

Each tenant has their own separate agreement with the landlord or property manager. They are responsible for their own actions. The other tenants would not be held responsible for any mistake one tenant makes.

Sub-letting

This is the type of tenancy where there is a ‘head tenant’ and ‘sub-tenants’ in which the former enters in a tenancy agreement with the latter. The head tenant is the one whose name is in the agreement and the only tenant that has a direct relationship with the landlord or property manager.

Boarders and Lodgers

Tenants may be living with the owner in the property. They only rent their room and share areas such as the living room, kitchen and bathrooms. They may or may not be covered by the tenancy laws depending on the circumstances.

No matter what the circumstances are, whether to sub-let the property or not ultimately depends on the landlord’s decision. Should the landlord allow to sub-let, the head tenant would take on the role of the “landlord” to the sub-tenants.

To ensure that the right of all parties are protected, make sure to always check with the RTA or your Property Manager. .