Can my roommate move someone else in?

We found no rule in Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act requiring the landlord's consent before a tenant lets someone move in, or letting one roommate block another's guest. The lease can list the people allowed to live in the unit and can set rules about guests. A landlord may ask for the names of the people living there, and a person who is not a tenant can be served a notice to vacate of at least 14 days.

If the landlord accepts rent from the new person, they may be seen as a tenant. Tenants are responsible for damage or disturbance caused by people they let in. Neither side may change the locks on the unit without the other's consent.

In British Columbia, the tenancy agreement decides. If it does not say that no additional occupants are allowed, it is implied that a tenant may have more people move in, and the tenants on the agreement are responsible for anyone they permit onto the property. If it bans added occupants and that is a material term, breaking it can lead to a notice to end the tenancy for cause. An occupant not on the agreement has no rights or obligations under it unless the landlord and the tenant agree to add them.

A landlord cannot charge a guest fee or impose restrictions on guests, but an unreasonable number of occupants is a ground for notice, which a tenant can dispute. The government says a tenant should tell the landlord about guests staying for an extended period, such as several weeks. A tenant cannot change the lock on the unit unless the landlord agrees in writing or the director orders it.

Manitoba's standard tenancy agreement limits who may live in the unit to the tenant, any growth in the tenant's family by marriage, birth or adoption, and the people listed on it. If it names who may live there, adding someone needs the landlord's agreement, which can mean a new tenancy agreement. If it says nothing, the Residential Tenancies Branch may help the landlord and tenants resolve it. Adult children, extended family and foster children do not count as natural family growth.

A tenant must not let so many people live there on a continuing basis that health, safety or housing standards are broken. A landlord must not unreasonably restrict access by people a tenant invites. Neither landlord nor tenant may change a lock without the other's consent, and neither may withhold consent unreasonably.

We found no section in Saskatchewan's Residential Tenancies Act requiring the landlord's consent before a tenant lets another person live in the unit. A written lease can set rent that varies with the number of occupants. Subletting a unit under a fixed term tenancy, or assigning the tenancy, needs the landlord's written consent.

An unreasonable number of occupants is a ground for a notice to end the tenancy, as is significant interference or disturbance caused by a person the tenant permits on the property. A tenant needs the landlord's consent or an order from the Office of Residential Tenancies to change the lock.

In Ontario, the standard lease says the landlord cannot stop a tenant from having a roommate as long as municipal occupancy by-laws are respected, and a term banning guests, roommates or additional occupants is void. The landlord also cannot charge extra fees or raise the rent because of guests. Tenants remain responsible for how their guests behave.

A landlord can give notice only if the number of people living there on a continuing basis breaks health, safety or housing standards, and that notice is void if the tenant reduces the number within 7 days. If a tenant moves out and hands the unit to someone without an authorized assignment or sublet, the landlord can apply to evict both within 60 days of finding out. A tenant cannot change the locks without the landlord's consent.

We found no rule in New Brunswick's Residential Tenancies Act that deals with occupants who are not tenants or requires the landlord's consent to add one. The standard form of lease lists tenants only. The tenant is responsible for damage caused by people they permit on the premises and must make sure those people do not cause a disturbance or nuisance.

Neither landlord nor tenant may change the lock on a door into the unit except by mutual consent or with a residential tenancies officer's written authorization. The Human Rights Commission says minimum-bedroom and person-per-bedroom rules have a discriminatory effect.

Nova Scotia's standard lease allows only the tenants and occupants named in it to live in the unit without the landlord's written consent, so a roommate cannot add a new resident on their own. Tenants are told to give the landlord the names of everyone who will live there. The government's lease guide says all adults living in the unit should sign as tenants and anyone who moves in later should be added to the occupants section.

A person who occupies the unit and has paid or agreed to pay rent to the landlord is treated as a tenant. Everyone named as a tenant on a lease is equally responsible for the rental space. Neither side may change the locks during the tenancy except by mutual consent.

We found no general rule in PEI's Residential Tenancy Act requiring the landlord's consent before a tenant adds a roommate or family member who is not a subtenant. Subletting or assigning all or part of the unit needs the landlord's written consent, which cannot be withheld arbitrarily or unreasonably, but the landlord can refuse if it would mean an unreasonable number of occupants.

A landlord cannot charge a guest fee, and the Rental Office says a landlord cannot charge more rent because a new roommate moves in. A tenant must give the owner the names of the people living in the unit if asked. A tenant cannot change a lock unless the landlord agrees in writing or the Director orders it.

We found no rule in Newfoundland and Labrador's Act requiring the landlord's consent to add an occupant. The government's Policy 1-002 treats a spouse, children, other family and roommates who have not agreed to pay rent as occupants, not tenants. The standard rental agreement has a part for listing occupants who may live there besides the tenants. Assigning or subletting needs the landlord's written consent, which cannot be withheld arbitrarily or unreasonably.

The government's guide says peaceful enjoyment may include the tenant's right to have guests. Neither landlord nor tenant may change a lock on an entry door during the tenancy except by mutual consent.