Under Ontario law, people who live in rooming houses are residential tenants unless they share the kitchen or bathroom with an owner (or close family member of the owner) who lives in the building.

A tenant who shares a kitchen or bathroom with the owner or the owner’s family does not have a legal right to remain living on the premises without the owner’s consent, and can usually be evicted at any time without notice. The exception is if the tenant enters into an oral or written agreement with the owner and the owner breaks the agreement by forcing a tenant to move out early, or disposes of a tenant’s property. In both instances, the tenant may be able to sue the owner in Small Claims Court if they have evidence to prove their case.

If a tenant is evicted and the owner refuses to return the tenant’s personal property, the tenant should call the police.