If you share a rental in Alberta and your roommate suddenly stops paying their portion of the rent, you may wonder if you could be held responsible as a tenant. This is a common issue in shared housing, but the answer depends on your rental agreement type and how your names appear on the lease. Here’s what Alberta tenants need to know now.

Roommate and Rent: What the Lease Says Matters Most

In Alberta, your legal responsibility for rent starts with your rental agreement. Usually, there are two main situations:

• All roommates sign the lease with the landlord: Everyone is a tenant. The landlord can require any one tenant to pay all rent if the full amount isn’t received.
• Only one tenant signs the lease, and the other is a subtenant or informal roommate: The signing tenant is fully responsible for rent to the landlord, but can seek payment from a roommate privately.

This means the landlord can pursue any tenant listed on the agreement for unpaid rent, regardless of who didn’t pay their portion.^[1]

Shared Responsibility: Joint and Several Liability

For most roommate scenarios in Alberta, tenants who have signed the lease act as “jointly and severally liable” under the Residential Tenancies Act. This means:

• The landlord can ask any tenant for the entire outstanding rent—not just the person who missed payment.
• If one roommate consistently doesn't pay, the others must pay or risk eviction for nonpayment.
• If you cover your roommate’s portion, you can sue them later for their share in small claims court.

Summary: If you’re named on the lease and rent is unpaid, you may be held responsible until the landlord is paid in full.

What If Only My Name Is on the Lease?

If you are the only person who signed the rental agreement, you are solely responsible for all rent and for following lease terms. Any side agreement with your roommate is separate and does not affect your liability to the landlord.^[1]

Practical Steps If a Roommate Stops Paying Rent

Facing a non-paying roommate can be stressful, but here are some practical steps you can take as a tenant in Alberta:

• Speak to your roommate and try to resolve any payment misunderstandings.
• Ensure full rent is paid to your landlord to avoid risk of eviction.
• Keep written records of communication with your roommate about rent.
• If necessary, consider a written repayment agreement with your roommate.
• If your roommate won’t pay, consider taking legal action to recover your losses.

Sometimes, ongoing payment issues may make you want to end the tenancy early. For this, review How to Properly End Your Rental Agreement as a Tenant for guidance on legal termination.

If your rental includes a security deposit, remember it could be at risk if rent is left unpaid—make sure you understand your responsibilities.

Forms and Official Process: What to Do When Rent Goes Unpaid

If rent is unpaid and you’re facing eviction, or you wish to remove a problematic roommate, the following official process and forms may apply:

• 14-Day Eviction Notice: The landlord can serve all tenants with a 14-Day Notice to Terminate for Non-Payment of Rent. This is not a form issued by a board, but a written notice must clearly state the reason and effective termination date. Learn how to end a rental agreement in Alberta.
• Application for Termination or Recovery: Tenants who are affected and need to dispute an eviction or recover money from a roommate may apply through the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS).

For financial issues between tenants (e.g., to recover money paid for your roommate), use Alberta Small Claims Court forms (Form 7A, Civil Claim).

How the RTDRS Can Help Tenants

The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service is Alberta’s official board for handling tenant–landlord disputes. You can apply online to dispute an eviction, claim deposits, or resolve conflicts involving shared rent responsibility.

Key Legislation for Alberta Tenants

All roommate rent issues in Alberta fall under the Residential Tenancies Act. The Act sets out your rights and obligations as a tenant or roommate and explains what the landlord can do if rent is missed.

Understanding Your Rights and Obligations

If you’re dealing with a difficult rental situation, see Obligations of Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities Explained for a detailed look at your legal standing.

For a summary of Alberta’s laws and more support, visit Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Alberta.

If you’re looking to move because of ongoing roommate problems, you can Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme for your next place.

Frequently Asked Questions: Roommate and Rent Issues in Alberta

1. What happens if my roommate moves out without notice? If both names are on the lease, you're still responsible for the full rent. You can seek repayment from your former roommate independently, but your landlord expects the total rent amount monthly.
2. Am I responsible for damages caused by my roommate? Yes, if both of you are listed tenants, you share liability for unpaid rent or damages. You may recover costs from your roommate through court.
3. Can a landlord evict just the non-paying roommate? Usually no. In Alberta, the landlord must evict all tenants listed on the agreement—even if only one person missed payment—unless the remaining tenants reach a new deal with the landlord.
4. How do I take legal action against my roommate for unpaid rent? File a claim in Alberta Small Claims Court using the Civil Claim (Form 7A) and provide supporting evidence of what is owed.
5. Does my landlord have to accept partial rent payments? No. Landlords can require full rent payment as stated in your lease—even if some roommates are late or have moved out.

Conclusion: What Alberta Tenants Should Remember

• If your name is on the lease, you’re responsible for the full rent—regardless of which roommate didn’t pay.
• Always communicate early and keep evidence if problems arise.
• Seek support from official resources or the RTDRS for disputes with landlords or roommates.

Understanding your lease and Alberta tenancy law helps you avoid being caught off-guard by a roommate’s missed rent.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) – For disputes and eviction applications
• Alberta Residential Tenancies Act – Official tenancy legislation
• Alberta Small Claims Court – Recover losses from a roommate
• Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA) – Guides to shared accommodation
• Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Alberta

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1. Alberta Residential Tenancies Act: Official legislation
2. Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service: Official board website

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