Maria is managing a residential duplex in Edmonton. She has two individuals, Alex and Ben, who wish to rent one side of the duplex. They are not in a romantic relationship but want to pool their resources. They ask if they can sign individual leases for their respective bedrooms, with shared common areas. What should Maria recommend?

Question: Maria is managing a residential duplex in Edmonton. She has two individuals, Alex and Ben, who wish to rent one side of the duplex. They are not in a romantic relationship but want to pool their resources. They ask if they can sign individual leases for their respective bedrooms, with shared common areas. What should Maria recommend?

Answer options: ✅ Advise them to sign a single joint tenancy agreement, making them equally responsible for the entire unit's rent.

• Create two separate lease agreements, one for each bedroom, with a separate 'common area' agreement.
• Recommend a roommate agreement that outlines their internal responsibilities, to be attached to a single lease agreement.
• Suggest they find a third roommate to split the costs and legal obligations more easily.

Correct answer: Advise them to sign a single joint tenancy agreement, making them equally responsible for the entire unit's rent.

Explanation: For most shared residential units where tenants have exclusive use of bedrooms but share common areas, a single joint tenancy agreement is standard practice, holding all tenants jointly and severally liable for the entire unit and rent, simplifying management and enforcement.