How the Rent Split Calculator Works

This calculator helps Canadian students split rent and utilities fairly with roommates. It supports four common split methods: equal, by room size, by income, and custom percentages.

The basic formula for each method is:

Total cost includes rent plus utilities. The allocation percentage varies by method.

Example: $2,000 rent + $200 utilities = $2,200 total. With 3 roommates splitting equally:

$2,200 ÷ 3 = $733.33 per person monthly

Four Fair Rent Split Methods Explained

Equal Split (Simplest)

Everyone pays exactly the same amount. Best for: identical rooms, similar incomes, close friends who want to avoid conflict.

Formula: Total Cost ÷ Number of Roommates

By Room Size (Most Common)

Each person pays proportionally to their room’s square footage. Larger room = higher rent. Best for: different sized rooms, when someone wants the master bedroom.

Formula: (Room Size ÷ Total Square Footage) × Total Cost

By Income (Most Equitable)

Each person pays a percentage based on their income. Higher income = pays more. Best for: couples with income disparity, roommates with significantly different financial situations.

Formula: (Person’s Income ÷ Total Household Income) × Total Cost

Custom Percentage (Most Flexible)

You decide the exact percentages. Best for: unique situations, when someone gets extra amenities (parking, ensuite bathroom), or special arrangements.

Formula: (Custom Percentage ÷ 100) × Total Cost

Canadian Student Housing Considerations

Provincial Rental Laws

Each Canadian province has different rental laws. In Ontario, standard leases are required. In BC, rent increases are capped. Quebec has unique rental board rules. Know your province’s regulations.

Student-Specific Housing

Many Canadian universities offer on-campus housing with fixed rates per person. Off-campus student housing often has all-inclusive rents (utilities included). Know what’s included before calculating splits.

Average Student Rent Costs by City

City	Avg 1-Bedroom	Avg Room in Shared	Student Areas
Toronto	$2,200-$2,800	$900-$1,400	Annex, Kensington, near U of T/Ryerson
Vancouver	$2,400-$3,000	$1,000-$1,600	Kitsilano, Fairview, near UBC/SFU
Montreal	$1,400-$1,800	$600-$1,000	Plateau, Mile End, near McGill/Concordia
Calgary	$1,500-$1,900	$700-$1,100	Brentwood, near University of Calgary
Ottawa	$1,600-$2,000	$750-$1,200	Sandy Hill, near uOttawa/Carleton

Prices are monthly CAD and vary by neighborhood, building age, and amenities. Always check current market rates.

Common Questions About Rent Splitting

What If Someone Moves Out Mid-Month?

Split rent by the day. Calculate daily rate (monthly rent ÷ days in month). Each person pays for days they actually lived there. The leaving roommate should help find a replacement.

How Do We Handle Security Deposits?

Everyone contributes equally to the security deposit. When moving out, the returned deposit gets split the same way. Document everything with photos and written agreements.

What About Common Areas?

Living room, kitchen, bathrooms are shared equally regardless of room size. Some people split these areas 50/50 with rent, others include them in room size calculations.

How Do We Split Variable Bills?

Utilities like electricity and heating vary monthly. Split equally or track usage. Consider averaging bills over 6-12 months for predictable monthly payments.

What If Someone Has a Partner Stay Over Often?

If a partner stays 3+ nights weekly, consider asking for additional contribution (like 10-20% extra). Have this conversation early to avoid resentment.

Room Size Split: Detailed Calculation

When splitting by room size, you need accurate measurements:

Step 1: Measure Each Room

Measure length and width in feet. Multiply for square footage. Example: 12ft × 10ft = 120 sq ft. Include closets but not shared bathrooms.

Step 2: Calculate Percentages

Add all bedroom square footage. Divide each room by total. Example: 120 sq ft room in 400 sq ft total = 30% of rent.

Step 3: Adjust for Features

Add 5-10% for ensuite bathrooms, 3-5% for walk-in closets, 2-3% for better views or natural light. Discuss adjustments openly.

Step 4: Split Common Areas

Some methods split common area rent (living room, kitchen) equally, then add bedroom percentages. Others include everything in room percentages.

Example Calculation

Total rent: $2,400. Room A: 150 sq ft with ensuite (worth 10% extra). Room B: 120 sq ft. Room C: 100 sq ft.

Adjusted sizes: A: 165%, B: 120%, C: 100%. Total: 385%. A pays: (165/385) × $2,400 = $1,028.57. B pays: (120/385) × $2,400 = $748.05. C pays: (100/385) × $2,400 = $623.38.

Income-Based Split Considerations

When It Makes Sense

Income splits work well when: incomes vary significantly, one person is a student while another works full-time, or when supporting a partner through school.

What Income to Include

Use net income (after taxes), not gross. Include regular employment income, consistent freelance work, stable investments. Don’t include one-time bonuses or unpredictable income.

Privacy Concerns

Some people are uncomfortable sharing income details. Alternative: agree on percentages without revealing exact numbers. Example: “Person A pays 60%, Person B pays 40%.”

Adjusting Over Time

Review income splits annually. If someone gets a raise or changes jobs, adjust the split. Put review dates in your roommate agreement.

Creating a Roommate Agreement

A written agreement prevents conflicts. Include:

• Rent split percentages and amounts
• Due dates for payments
• How utilities will be split
• Security deposit contributions
• Guest policies
• Cleaning responsibilities and schedule
• Quiet hours
• Food sharing rules
• Procedure for moving out
• Conflict resolution process

Special Situations and Solutions

Couples Sharing a Room

Couples typically pay more than a single person but less than two separate rooms. Common approaches: 1.5× single room rate, or split common areas equally but pay full room rate.

Home Office Deductions

If someone uses a bedroom as a home office, they might pay full room rate. If they use shared space as an office, consider a small additional fee (5-10% of rent).

Summer Sublets

If someone sublets their room for the summer, decide in advance: does the subletter pay the original roommate’s share, or does rent get redistributed among remaining roommates?

Parking Spaces

If the rental includes parking spots, assign value to them. A parking spot might be worth $50-$150 monthly extra, depending on the city and location.

Canadian Tax Considerations for Students

Rent Receipts

Keep records of rent payments. Some provinces offer rent tax credits (like Ontario’s Trillium Benefit). International students may need rent receipts for visa purposes.

Utilities in Your Name

If utilities are in your name, you’re responsible for the full bill. Get roommates to pay their share promptly. Consider having utilities in multiple names.

Subletting Income

If you sublet your room for more than your rent share, the profit is taxable income. Keep records of all subletting transactions.

Budgeting for Student Rent

As a student, your rent budget should be:

Income Source	Max Recommended Rent	Rationale
OSAP/Student Loans	30-40% of funding	Must cover tuition first
Part-Time Work	25-30% of income	Account for irregular hours
Parental Support	As budgeted	Stick to agreed amount
Savings	Conservative drawdown	Must last through degree

Remember to budget for: first and last month’s rent, security deposit, moving costs, furniture, kitchen supplies, and initial grocery stock.

Example Split Scenarios

Scenario 1: Three Students in Toronto

Rent: $2,700. Utilities: $300. Total: $3,000. Equal split: $1,000 each monthly. Weekly: $230.77. Yearly: $12,000 each.

Scenario 2: Couple and Single in Vancouver

Rent: $3,200. 2-bedroom. Master (with ensuite): 300 sq ft. Smaller room: 200 sq ft. Couple takes master, pays 1.5× rate. Single pays for smaller room. Calculation: $3,200 ÷ 500 sq ft = $6.40/sq ft. Master: 300 × $6.40 × 1.5 = $2,880. Smaller: 200 × $6.40 = $1,280. Oops, that’s over total! Adjust: Couple pays $1,920 (60%), single pays $1,280 (40%).

Scenario 3: Income-Based in Montreal

Roommate A (working): $3,500 monthly income. Roommate B (student): $1,500 from part-time work. Total income: $5,000. Rent: $1,600. A pays: (3,500/5,000) × 1,600 = $1,120 (70%). B pays: (1,500/5,000) × 1,600 = $480 (30%).

Final Recommendations for Students

• Discuss money openly before moving in together
• Use this calculator together to agree on splits
• Put everything in writing in a roommate agreement
• Set up automatic transfers for rent payments
• Review the split annually or when circumstances change
• Be flexible but don’t be taken advantage of
• Remember that preserving friendships is worth small compromises

Use this calculator with your roommates to have clear, data-informed conversations about rent splitting. Save or print the results as part of your roommate agreement.