FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Homesharing simply means that you are sharing your home. Typically, a homeowner offers space in their home to a housemate. While every homeshare is unique there are two types of homesharing: Task exchange homeshare – Extra help around the house in exchange for subsidized rent. Long-term homeshare – Housemates stay as a permanent resident in exchange for rent. HomeShare Alliance provides services for task exchange arrangements.

We designed HomeShare Alliance to meet the demand for shared living and anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to apply.

HomeShare Alliance is not a service for short-term accommodations. All of our agreements are for one year. HomeShare Alliance is designed to be flexible to meet the needs of each individual homeshare arrangement, which can range from one year or more.

Yes, homesharing with one housemate for a period of more than six months is legal in most circumstances. In many cities and towns, you can even host up to three housemates at a time with no issue.

No. Homesharing does not fall under the Residential Tenancies Act as it would in a landlord and tenant relationship. Since the homeowner is sharing the kitchen with their roommate, this is a different type of relationship. The homeowner is a licensor and the housemate is a licensee. The homeshare agreement is customized to the terms and expectations set by both parties with mutual agreement. Find out more about how shared living applies to Ontario laws here.

We help guide householders across Ontario with their homesharing journey through our virtual service. In-person services are available in the Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth, and District of Muskoka.

No. We provide a confidential service that respects your privacy and safety. Your home’s location will never be identified through our promotional efforts. If photos are required, only interior or backyard exterior photos of your home will be used.

Trust and safety are paramount to HomeShare Alliance, which is why all members go through a multi-tiered screening process. All potential housemates undergo an interview, a detailed compatibility check, and are vetted through an extensive background check that includes: References An in-depth interview Completion of a lifestyle and compatibility survey Verification of Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) for Supplemental income homeshares or Vulnerable Sector Check for Task Exchange Homeshares living with householders over the age of 65 or if there are children residing in the home. Verification of credit score and report Income verification

Our clients’ safety and security are our top priorities. Your information is stored securely and is not shared with any third parties.

Yes this is our specialty! We provide services that match a housemate who is willing to provide household support for seniors, single parents or adults who require additional household support to live independently in their own home. Please consult with one of our advisors for details about our task exchange program or visit our Task Exchange page for more information.

It’s free to register as a member on our database. For a Task Exchange homeshare, our matching process and monthly home visits are offered as part of our free service* for householders. Housemates pay a low monthly fee equivalent to subsidized rent to be part of our homeshare program. * There is a non-refundable annual application fee of $300. Please consult with one of our HomeShare advisors for further details.

Yes, our Task Exchange homeshares have an unlimited guarantee for the duration of a homeshare participating in our program.

We’re always looking for passionate, talented people to join our team as an independent Homeshare Consultant. If you think you’re a good fit or if you’d just like to learn more, send your resume to solutions@homesharealliance.com and tell us how you’d like to contribute.

The HomeShare Alliance service connects householders who have spare space with people who are seeking a place to stay for one year or more. HomeShare Alliance helps to make shared living safe, transparent, and easy by working with a consultant who: Searches and finds ideal matches for you Conducts a multi-tiered screening process Creates customized homesharing agreements Acts as your service team to support you during your homeshare by providing monthly home visits to ensure your homeshare arrangement is running smoothly.

Once you complete our online housemate form you are part of our community. Housemates who join our database have access to special events, member discounts, and unadvertised homesharing opportunities

Once housemates complete an application, undergo our vetting process and complete our compatibility process, your consultant will select matches based on a compatibility match. You will be introduced to qualified housemates until you accept a match that you are both satisfied with.

Our homeshare matches typically happen in 6-8 weeks. If we currently have someone in our database who would be a good fit the match can happen in a matter of just a few days.

Whether you’re the homeshare householder or housemate, we understand that finding the right person to share a home with is critical to a successful homeshare. You’ll have an opportunity to meet a potential match and then decide if you want to move forward with that person. We provide the match, but the decision is yours. Your local consultant will monitor, support and provide guidance for the duration of the homeshare match though monthly home visits to ensure that you are satisfied with your homeshare match. If the arrangement is not working, your consultant will help facilitate a new match for you.

HomeShare Alliance encourages all homeshare hosts and housemate to spend time and ask questions during the introduction process before confirming a homeshare. Homeshare hosts and housemates can also take the extra measure of a weekend trial stay. HomeShare Alliance facilitates the creation of a detailed Homesharing Agreement to help ensure upfront communication and expectation setting. If housemates need to alter or shorten the original Homesharing Agreement, HomeShare Alliance can facilitate. HomeShare Alliance is available to help housemates work through issues or concerns throughout the duration of the homeshare.

Please email us at Solutions@homesharealliance.com