Advice for boarders, lodgers and marginal tenants

Note: this type of tenancy includes student accommodation.

SUPRA recommends students take extreme care when signing anything other than a Standard Residential Tenancy Agreement.

If you are not considered a tenant, you may not have the same protections, or the same notice periods for rent increases or for termination/eviction. The law is also much less clear on what your landlord is allowed to ask of you in your rental contract.

You are likely not considered a tenant if:

• your landlord lives at the property with you

and/or

• you have exclusive access to your room, but the common areas of the property are shared

and

• the landlord or agent provides extra services to you, such as laundry service or meals
• the residence is staffed most of the time.

In such cases, we recommend you reach out to SUPRA to have your agreement reviewed. Contact our caseworkers for help.