I moved into a house with friends but did not sign anything. We agreed that I would pay them $300 each month for rent and help out with groceries. After a few months, they now want $500 for rent each month starting next month. I want to move out � do I have to give them notice?

This is a good example of why roommates should have a written agreement among themselves in addition to a lease with the landlord. It might be the case that your friends are the landlords of the property, for example, if they own it or have permission to sublet. If you are sharing living quarters with a landlord, the Residential Tenancies Act does not apply and your oral agreement will govern your rights and responsibilities. Did you discuss any of these things with your roommates before you moved in? If you had an agreement about rent increases and notice for moving out, then you may be bound by those terms.

If your friends are renting from a landlord, it will be important for you to know whether you are also a tenant. The Residential Tenancies Act states that a tenant includes anyone who is allowed to live in residential premises under a residential tenancy agreement. This means that even if you did not sign an agreement but the landlord allowed you to live there, you still have the rights and obligations of a tenant as set out in the Act. This would include paying rent and giving notice.

You should check what the total rent is that the landlord requires to be sure that the share requested of you is accurate.

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April 2006 More Renting a Place to Live FAQs:

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• Tenants
• Landlords
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