While the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) addresses the rights and obligations between landlords and tenants, it does not address the rights and obligations between roommates. Before you move in with someone, it is important to have a written roommate agreement in place to prevent future problems. A sample roommate agreement can be downloaded here.
If you do have a problem with your roommate, the first step is to try communicating about the situation and see if you can find a solution. If you reach an agreement, make sure it is in writing. It is important to have problems and their solutions documented in case further action is required.
Since the RTA does not apply to roommate conflicts, you do not have the option of going to the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) if you need help resolving a problem with your roommate. If you can’t reach a resolution with your roommate, you may wish to consider mediation or making an application to Alberta Court of Justice. It is always recommended that you seek legal advice if you plan to make a court application.
A list of organizations that provide legal advice are located on our website.
More information on shared accommodation can be located on our Roommates, Subletting and Assignment – Landlord as Roommate web page.
You can read more about the general dispute resolution processes for landlords and tenants on our Dispute Resolution web page.
December 2015
