Kensington Bellwoods Community Legal Clinic - Joint Tenancy Research Project

Project Type: Research (memoranda used for internal purposes only)

Fields of Law: Housing Law and Administrative Law

Positions Available: 1

About Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services (KBCLS):

KBCLS is a non-profit community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. KBCLS gives people living on a low income in the Kensington-Bellwoods neighbourhood free legal services for certain problems. 

Project Details:

When the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) was enacted in 2006, Toronto was generally more affordable than it is today. The RTA was never written to contemplate issues of joint tenancy among many individuals sharing one lease that are now very commonly seen in Toronto. The goal of this project is to create PLE resources to help make information surrounding joint tenancies accessible to those in the KBCLS Catchment.

The students will do research on questions including:

• How does the RTA apply in a joint tenancy situation with multiple roommates all on the same lease signed at the same time?
• How do joint tenancies affect individuals when they want to leave their lease but other roommates want to remain?
• Address common issues and questions that arise with joint tenancies re: what is a tenant versus what is a roommate occupant
• And other questions developed in consultation with KBCLS

Will the student(s) be expected to show up for regular shifts each week, or is the schedule flexible?

The schedule will be flexible. Work will be conducted remotely with web-based access to resources. Students will be able to complete work on their own time with regular check ins.

Requirements and Expectations:

Clinic/social justice experience is an asset but not required