Hey everyone — I’ve been thinking a lot about how housing works for students here, especially when sharing a place with roommates. I know most of us focus on the lease with the landlord, but honestly, the real tension often comes from how roommates interact day to day. From my own research and talking to others, it’s clear that a solid roommate agreement can save a lot of stress — especially for newcomers who might not be used to sharing space with people they don’t know well.

I’ve seen cases where people assumed someone would pay for the internet, or that cleaning duties were shared equally, only to end up with resentment. That’s why I’m curious: what do you think should be *specifically* included in a roommate agreement beyond just rent splits?

For example:
- How do you handle utilities? Should they be split evenly, or based on usage?
- What about cleaning schedules? Is it fair to expect everyone to do a full clean once a week, or is it more practical to rotate tasks?
- How many guests are okay? And what about overnight stays — should there be a notice requirement?
- What happens if someone wants to leave early? Is there a notice period, and who covers the cost if they leave mid-lease?

Also, I’ve noticed that not everyone realizes who’s actually on the lease. If you’re not on the lease, does that mean you’re not legally responsible for rent? But what about shared responsibilities like damage or noise complaints?

I’ve been looking at school housing office resources, and they often suggest putting things in writing, even if it’s informal. But how detailed should it be? Should it be a simple shared document, or something more formal?

Would love to hear from others: what’s the *first* thing you’d check or include in a roommate agreement? And what details do you think matter most when sharing a rental in Canada — especially as a student?

END