Student Lease Guide: Renting Near Campus in Ontario
Student rental situations come with their own set of lease questions — from roommates and joint tenancy to subletting over summer break.
Common Lease Scenarios for Students
Students renting near campus often encounter one of these arrangements:
Roommates on one lease (co-tenants)
All roommates sign the same lease. Each is jointly and severally liable — meaning the landlord can hold any one of you responsible for the full rent if another doesn't pay.
Individual leases within a house
Each student has their own lease for their room. You're only responsible for your portion of the rent, but you may have less control over shared spaces.
Subletting over summer
If you're going home for the summer but want to keep your unit, subletting may be an option. Ontario's RTA permits subletting with the landlord's consent.
University-managed student housing
Some universities operate student housing that may or may not be covered by the RTA. On-campus residence agreements often have different rules than private-market leases.
Joint Tenancy vs. Individual Leases
The structure of your lease with roommates has significant financial implications:
Joint Tenancy (all on one lease)
- All tenants equally responsible for the full rent
- If one roommate doesn't pay, others must cover it
- Harder to add or remove roommates
- All tenants have equal rights under the lease
- Landlord can't end one tenant's tenancy without affecting all
Individual Leases (own agreement)
- Each tenant only responsible for their share
- If a roommate doesn't pay, it doesn't affect you
- Easier to leave without affecting others
- May have less say over who moves into shared spaces
- Each tenant has their own relationship with the landlord
Subletting Over Summer Break
Many students want to sublet their unit for the spring/summer term while they return home. Here's how it works in Ontario:
- 1
Check your lease
Some leases include subletting restrictions. However, under the RTA, a landlord cannot unreasonably refuse a sublet request — even if the lease says subletting is prohibited.
- 2
Submit a written request to your landlord
Ask for consent to sublet in writing. Include the proposed subtenant's information if possible. The landlord has up to 7 days to request an interview with the subtenant.
- 3
Get landlord approval
The landlord must have a reasonable basis for refusing. 'I just don't want students subletting' is not a valid reason. If they refuse unreasonably, you can apply to the LTB.
- 4
Sign a subletting agreement
You remain responsible to your landlord as the primary tenant. Your subtenant is responsible to you. Put your agreement in writing.
Student-Specific Red Flags
Some landlords target students with lease clauses that are unusually restrictive or outright illegal. Watch for:
Guarantor requirements with unlimited liability
Some leases require a parent or guarantor to be fully liable for any amount owed — including damage claims or future rent. This is a significant financial risk for the guarantor.
Leases that end in April or August
A lease designed to end at the start of summer (or a new school year) is structured to maximize turnover. Watch for pressure to sign a new fixed-term lease rather than defaulting to month-to-month.
Clauses that violate the RTA
No-pets clauses, damage deposits, prohibitions on subletting, or clauses waiving rights are void under the RTA — but they still appear in some student housing leases.
Utilities disconnected without notice
A landlord cannot disconnect utilities as a form of pressure or eviction. If this happens, contact the LTB immediately.