Can my roommate's partner basically live here without paying?
Guilty
The short answer
A guest who stays most nights is a resident in all but rent. The court sets the line at about four nights a week.
The ruling
From the public record. Names are replaced with roles.
Small claims division
Case no.PC-2026-00519
The roommate with no guest v. The roommate whose boyfriend stays over
Filed 10/05/2026
- Plaintiff
- The roommate with no guest
- Defendant
- The roommate whose boyfriend stays over
Statement of claim
My roommate's boyfriend has stayed here every night for six weeks. He has a drawer, he takes long showers and last week he turned the thermostat down without asking.
Charge
Hosting a resident partner on a guest basis, including thermostat access
Judgment
Guilty
Roommate found guilty of hosting a boyfriend who now adjusts the thermostat
Sentence
The defendant will choose either a third share of utilities from this month or a limit of four nights a week, and tell the plaintiff by Sunday.
How the court usually rules on this
The court separates visiting from living. A partner who stays a few nights a week is a guest. A partner who stays most nights, keeps belongings in shared spaces and uses utilities is effectively a third roommate. The usual sentence is either a contribution to utilities or fewer nights.
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