Adding a new roommate, partner, or family member to your rental unit in Ontario means more than just sharing space—it requires careful attention to your lease and legal responsibilities. Whether your situation has changed or you simply want to make things official, understanding the process to add a person to your lease keeps everyone protected and can help avoid disputes down the line. This article explains the step-by-step procedure, legal requirements, and resources for Ontario tenants.

Understanding What It Means to Add a Person to Your Lease

In Ontario, there’s an important distinction between guests, additional occupants, and new tenants or co-tenants. Only tenants who are named on the lease agreement—or those added with landlord approval—have full legal rights and responsibilities. Others may be considered occupants or guests without these protections under the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006^[1].

• Tenant: Legally responsible for rent, obligations, and lease terms
• Occupant: Lives in the unit, but not named on the lease (may have less protection)
• Guest: Temporary visitor, not entitled to stay long-term

The Landlord and Tenant Board: Who Oversees This Process?

Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) handles disputes and questions relating to leases, including adding tenants. The LTB ensures that changes to the tenancy comply with the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 and relevant regulations.

Legal Steps: How to Add a New Tenant to Your Lease

Adding someone to your Ontario lease involves more than just updating names. It generally requires landlord approval and, in many cases, the use of official forms to document the change.

1. Review Your Lease Terms

• Check if your lease allows additional occupants or has restrictions about subletting or assigning the unit.
• Some leases limit the number of tenants or require written approval before anyone is added.

2. Talk to Your Landlord

• Contact your landlord in writing to request adding a new person to your lease.
• Explain who will be added and whether they will be a co-tenant (fully responsible) or just an occupant.
• Landlords can refuse requests only for valid reasons set out in law (e.g., overcrowding or non-eligibility).

3. Use Official Forms

• To add a tenant/co-tenant: The landlord often prepares and has all parties sign a new Ontario Standard Lease (government Form). Download the Ontario Standard Lease form.
• To assign a lease: If you’re transferring your tenancy to another (including adding new names instead), use LTB Form N9 – Tenant’s Notice to End the Tenancy and LTB Form N11 – Agreement to End the Tenancy.
• Practical example: You and your new roommate both sign a new Ontario Standard Lease with your landlord to make the arrangement official and legal.

If the process involves assigning your tenancy (replacing yourself with someone else), follow the specific LTB assignment process. For most situations, adding a co-tenant is handled by agreement and signing the updated lease.

4. Follow Up and Get Confirmation

• Keep copies of all communication with your landlord.
• Ensure everyone involved signs the new or amended lease.
• If your landlord unreasonably refuses, you can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for a ruling.

Always double check what fees are legal. See Understanding Rental Deposits: What Tenants Need to Know for deposit rules in Ontario.

Tenant Rights and Responsibilities When Adding a Person

After a successful addition, all tenants named on the lease formally share legal rights and responsibilities—including the duty to pay rent, maintain the unit, and follow building policies.

• If one tenant doesn’t pay, the landlord may hold any or all co-tenants responsible.
• You must notify your landlord if someone moves out, or if you wish to switch occupants or tenants again later.

For more about what happens after signing or amending your lease, see What Tenants Need to Know After Signing the Rental Agreement.

How to Keep Your Rental Secure and Compliant

Some landlords may want a new "initial inspection" or a walk-through before updating your lease. See our Guide to the Initial Rental Property Inspection for Tenants to make sure your unit is documented properly before changes to the lease.

For city-wide rental searching, Find rental homes across Canada on Houseme—the all-in-one map-based rental site covering Toronto, Ottawa, and communities throughout Ontario.

For a comprehensive overview of Ontario rental law, review Tenant Rights in Ontario.

FAQ: Adding Someone to Your Lease in Ontario

1. Can my landlord refuse to add my partner or roommate to my lease?
   Yes, but only for legal reasons—for example, if your lease limits the number of tenants or if adding another person goes against local occupancy rules. Landlords cannot refuse for discriminatory or arbitrary reasons.
2. Do I need a new lease to add a person, or can we just inform the landlord?
   While Ontario law does not always require a brand-new lease, you and your landlord should sign an official amendment or a new Ontario Standard Lease to protect both parties.
3. What if my landlord refuses my request without a good reason?
   If you believe your landlord is acting unreasonably, you can file an application with the Landlord and Tenant Board.
4. Will adding a new tenant change my rent?
   Generally, rent should not change solely because someone is added. However, if adding a person breaches rent control terms or occupancy limits, check your lease and discuss with your landlord.
5. Is my new roommate responsible for outstanding damages or unpaid rent?
   If named on the lease, all co-tenants share responsibility for the unit, including damages and rent after the signing.

Conclusion: What Tenants Should Remember

• Adding a person to your lease is a process involving landlord approval and updated paperwork—protect yourself and everyone involved by staying official and thorough.
• Use Ontario Standard Lease forms or seek help from the Landlord and Tenant Board for complicated situations.
• Document the process and keep communication open between all parties to avoid confusion or disputes later.

For more guidance, see our resources below or connect with a tenant support service if you need additional assistance.

Need Help? Resources for Tenants

• Landlord and Tenant Board (Ontario) – Forms, guides, and applications
• Ontario Government: Renting in Ontario – Your Rights
• Tenant support: Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO), or your local community legal clinic
• For full details on provincial housing laws, see: Tenant Rights in Ontario

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1. [1] Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 – Ontario government legislation

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