Living with a roommate in Nunavut can help save on housing costs, but what happens if your roommate fails to pay their share of the rent? Many tenants worry about being held responsible—especially when their name is on the lease. This article explains your responsibilities, your protections under Nunavut law, and practical steps to take if you're facing this issue.
Understanding How Roommate Arrangements Work in Nunavut
In Nunavut, roommate situations generally fall into two categories:
- All roommates signed the lease: You and your roommate are both considered tenants and share equal responsibility for the full rent.
- Only one roommate signed the lease: The person on the lease is the tenant; the other(s) may be considered subtenants or occupants, with fewer legal protections.
Check your lease carefully to see who is listed as a tenant. If in doubt, ask your landlord to clarify.
Who Pays When Your Roommate Misses Rent?
Nunavut landlords can require the entire rent be paid on time, regardless of how roommates divide it. If the rent is not paid in full, all tenants listed on the lease are usually considered jointly responsible. This means the landlord can seek the full amount from any or all of the tenants, not just the one who missed their share.
This joint responsibility can result in consequences such as late fees, notices, or even eviction proceedings against all tenants on the lease—even if you personally paid your share.
The Law: What Nunavut’s Residential Tenancies Act Says
In Nunavut, residential renting is governed by the Nunavut Residential Tenancies Act[1]. The law does not specifically address roommate disputes but clearly states that tenants listed on the rental agreement are responsible for the lease’s terms—including full rent payment.
The Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nunavut page provides a helpful overview of your rights and obligations.
Common Scenarios for Roommates
- All roommates are on the lease: The landlord can pursue any tenant for unpaid rent.
- Only you are on the lease: You’re liable for the whole rent, even if your roommate doesn’t pay you back their share.
- Your roommate is a subtenant: If you authorized a sublease with landlord approval, you may have some recourse if they fail to pay, but the landlord sees you as responsible overall.
Action Steps If Your Roommate Doesn’t Pay Rent
If you find yourself in this situation, act quickly to minimize consequences:
- Pay the landlord the full rent (if possible) to avoid late fees or an eviction notice.
- Talk to your roommate to resolve the issue and seek repayment.
- Consider formalizing agreements for future rent (in writing, signed).
- If the roommate refuses to pay, you may need to seek reimbursement through small claims court. The landlord will not get involved in roommate disputes.
Tip: For more guidance on paying rent and your legal responsibilities, see Tenant's Guide to Paying Rent: Rights, Responsibilities, and Tips.
Dealing with Deposit and Other Shared Costs
If a roommate fails to pay their share of the damage deposit, everyone on the lease could lose a portion of the deposit at move-out. Learn more in Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know.
What the Nunavut Rental Office Can and Cannot Help With
The official tribunal handling rental disputes in Nunavut is the Nunavut Residential Tenancies Office. This office:
- Handles disputes between tenants and landlords
- Does not mediate disagreements directly between roommates
If you have a complaint against your landlord (such as not returning a deposit), you can file a written complaint with the office. For roommate financial disputes, consider mediation or small claims court.
Useful Forms in Nunavut
- Application to the Rental Office (Form 1): Used to file a complaint or request resolution from the Residential Tenancies Office regarding a landlord-tenant matter.
Example: If your landlord tries to evict you because of unpaid rent caused by a roommate, you can explain your situation using this official application form. - Notice of Termination (Form 6): Used by landlords to serve notice for issues like unpaid rent.
See details and download at Nunavut Government rental forms portal.
Always keep copies of any forms and communications.
How to Protect Yourself in Shared Rental Situations
To avoid problems with rent and liability:
- Make sure all roommates are listed as tenants, if possible, when signing the lease
- Create a roommate agreement that spells out financial responsibilities
- Document all rent payments and any transfer of funds between roommates
You can also Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme if you decide to seek other living arrangements or want to ensure secure, transparent rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions: Roommate Rent Issues in Nunavut
- Am I responsible if my roommate doesn’t pay their share of rent?
If you're named on the lease, yes—you and your roommates share responsibility for the full rent amount. - What can I do if my roommate won’t pay their share?
You should pay the landlord to avoid default, then seek reimbursement from your roommate directly or through small claims court. - Can the landlord evict everyone if one person doesn’t pay?
Yes, the landlord can serve a notice to terminate the tenancy to all tenants if full rent isn’t received. - Does Nunavut’s rental office help resolve disputes between roommates?
No, they only handle disputes between landlords and tenants—not between co-tenants or subtenants. - How can I avoid problems with shared rent in the future?
Have all roommates sign the lease and create a written agreement about financial responsibilities.
Key Takeaways for Tenants
- All tenants on the lease share liability for the full rent
- Roommate agreements help between tenants but aren’t enforceable by landlords
- Nunavut’s Rental Office resolves landlord-tenant—not roommate—disputes
Need Help? Resources for Tenants
- Nunavut Residential Tenancies Office – handles landlord-tenant complaints, forms, and guidance
- Nunavut Residential Tenancies Act – Government of Nunavut
- Local legal aid clinics and Nunavut public legal education organizations
- For an overview of your rights: Tenant Rights and Landlord Rights in Nunavut
