Splitting Rent and Deposits with Roommates in Alberta: Tenant Guidelines

Sharing a rental home with roommates can help make housing in Alberta more affordable, but it also brings important responsibilities and legal questions—especially when it comes to splitting rent and deposits. If you're a tenant living with roommates, understanding your rights and best practices under Alberta law is key to protecting yourself and maintaining a harmonious living arrangement.

Understanding Roommate Arrangements in Alberta

In Alberta, rental arrangements with roommates can be set up in a few different ways:

• Co-tenants: All roommates sign the same lease and are equally responsible for rent and obligations.
• Subtenants: One tenant signs the lease with the landlord, then rents part of the unit to another (the subtenant).
• Occupants: Only one person is on the lease, and others live there with their permission but not direct landlord consent. (This offers the least legal protection for non-leaseholders.)

The type of arrangement you choose impacts your rights—so ensure everyone is clear on their legal relationship before moving in.

How Should Rent Be Split?

Alberta law generally does not dictate how roommates divide rent—this is something roommates must agree on, ideally in writing. If everyone is on the lease (co-tenants), the landlord can hold each of you responsible for the full rent amount if someone fails to pay. This means if one roommate falls behind, the others could be legally required to cover the difference to avoid eviction or late fees.

Best practices:

• Discuss and agree on each person's share before signing a lease.
• Consider using a written Roommate Agreement that outlines each person's financial responsibilities and what happens if someone leaves early.

For more on your rent obligations as a tenant, see Tenant's Guide to Paying Rent: Rights, Responsibilities, and Tips.

Splitting Security Deposits in Alberta

Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act governs the rules regarding security or damage deposits. Landlords can collect a deposit up to one month's rent, but how roommates divide this cost is up to your group.

• Usually, each roommate contributes an equal portion of the deposit upon move-in.
• The deposit itself is held by the landlord until the end of the tenancy—not divided up mid-lease.
• When everyone moves out, the landlord will return the deposit (plus interest) to the tenants, minus any valid deductions.

For specific rules on rental deposits in Alberta, visit Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know.

What If a Roommate Moves Out Early?

If a roommate leaves before the lease ends, what happens to their portion of the rent and deposit?

• If all names are on the lease, the remaining tenants are still liable for the full rent amount.
• There’s no legal right under Alberta law to demand an immediate refund of the deposit portion from the landlord—it's usually up to the roommates to settle privately.
• If a replacement roommate moves in, update your roommate agreement and, if possible, notify the landlord for records.

Who Holds the Deposit—And Who Gets It Back?

The security deposit is held by the landlord until the tenancy ends. At move-out, the deposit (plus any interest) is returned to whoever the lease specifies—typically all tenants, or the tenant who paid the deposit directly. To ensure everyone gets their fair share:

• Document who paid what portion of the deposit upon move-in.
• Request the landlord to specify on the receipt if multiple people paid shares.
• Agree in writing how the returned deposit will be divided (proportional to what each person paid originally).

See how Alberta law protects your right to deposit refunds under the Residential Tenancies Act (Alberta).¹

Required Forms for Alberta Tenants & Roommates

• Inspection Report Form – Alberta Form (official document): Both move-in and move-out inspections are mandatory. This document protects all tenants' rights regarding the security deposit. The report must be filled out jointly by the landlord and all tenants.
  Download from Alberta Government Sample Inspection Report.
• Rental Agreement: Lists all persons responsible for the tenancy; all roommates should be included where possible. Using the government’s template clarifies each person’s obligations.
  Find the official template on Alberta Residential Tenancy Forms.

Tip: Always keep copies of all agreements and inspection records for your protection and reference during move-out.

The Tribunal for Tenant Issues in Alberta

All formal disputes about rent or security deposits in Alberta are handled by the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS).² The RTDRS can help resolve disagreements between co-tenants and landlords over deposits and rent responsibility.

Key Legislation

• Residential Tenancies Act (Alberta)

This law contains tenant and landlord requirements for security deposits, payment obligations, and dispute resolution procedures.

Best Practices: Roommate Agreements

Written roommate agreements aren't required by law, but they're strongly recommended. A basic agreement should include:

• Each person's share of rent and deposits
• What happens if one person moves out early
• How bills and damages are divided
• How the deposit will be split at move-out

This can prevent confusion and help resolve disputes before they start.

Action Steps: How to Protect Yourself as a Roommate

1. Be sure all tenants are named on the official rental agreement where possible.
2. Contribute your share of the deposit and keep your receipt.
3. Complete the move-in Inspection Report with both the landlord and your roommates.
4. Create a written roommate agreement covering rent and deposits.
5. If a dispute occurs and you can't resolve it together, consider seeking help from the RTDRS.

Taking these steps helps ensure everyone is treated fairly under Alberta law.

Find Alberta Tenant and Landlord Rights

For an overview of responsibilities for tenants and landlords in Alberta, check out Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Alberta.

If you're searching for housing or need to explore your rental options, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme.

Frequently Asked Questions – Roommates, Rent, and Deposits in Alberta

1. Do all roommates need to be on the lease in Alberta?
   It's safest for all roommates to be on the lease (co-tenants), as this gives everyone legal rights and responsibilities under Alberta law. If you're not named, you may have fewer protections.
2. How is the security deposit split if one roommate leaves early?
   The landlord only returns the deposit when the whole tenancy ends. Roommates must resolve partial refunds among themselves.
3. What if one roommate doesn’t pay their rent share?
   If you are co-tenants, the landlord can require the remaining tenants to make up the shortfall. A written roommate agreement can help prevent these issues and make resolution easier.
4. Is it illegal for roommates to divide rent unequally?
   No. Alberta law does not require rent to be split equally—it’s up to the agreement between roommates. However, the landlord receives the full rent and isn't obliged to monitor the split.
5. Where can Alberta tenants go for deposit disputes?
   Tenants can apply for resolution through the RTDRS if a dispute can't be solved informally.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service (RTDRS) – Alberta: Handles deposit and rent disputes efficiently online or in-person.
• Alberta Government: Information for Tenants and Landlords
• Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA): Tenant guides and legal information.

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1. See: Residential Tenancies Act (Alberta) – rules for security deposits, rent, and roommates
2. Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service: RTDRS official site

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