Can my girlfriend become a co-tenant?

Questioner

I am 65 years old and live in a senior home. My girlfriend is 47 years old, and we have been in a relationship for over 5 years. We have been living in the senior home for over 2 years now. Can my girlfriend become a co-tenant?

Lawyer

In most cases it is possible to become a co-tenant if there has been a relationship for a long time (often longer than two years). This may depend on the circumstances of the case and whether there is a cohabitation ban in the lease. This may sometimes be the case for specific types of homes. My advice would be to check your lease first. Is there a prohibition in there or not? If there is no prohibition in your agreement, you can simply ask the landlord for permission so that your partner is officially seen as a co-tenant. If there is a prohibition in your agreement, it can be a bit more complicated. You have not complied with the terms of the agreement. You can contact me if you require legal assistance.