Can a joint tenant of the matrimonial home claim occupational rent?

Saskatchewan, Canada


The following excerpt is from Casey v Casey, 2013 SKCA 58 (CanLII):

In both of those decisions, McIntyre J. states the court has jurisdiction to grant occupational rent in a matrimonial dispute where it would be equitable and reasonable to do so but that awarding occupational rent should be limited to “exceptional cases”. The reason for such limitation was articulated by Steinberg J. in Foffano at para. 22: 22 The point to be made is that the routine application of the law on occupation rent to joint tenants or tenants in common who are married and are disputing over the matrimonial home will often run into conflict with the more flexible provisions of the Family Law Act designed to protect children and dependent spouses. If, as the present law seems to be, no ouster need be proved for a joint tenant not in possession of the matrimonial home to claim occupational rent, that opens the door to such claims solely to counter legitimate claims for spousal and child support, and equalization of net family properties. That was alluded to by Hill J. in McColl v. McColl (supra) at p. 456. It makes little sense, in the vast majority of cases, that a non-dependent spouse or parent should be entitled to occupation rent simply because he or she left the matrimonial home and allowed his or her dependent spouse and children to occupy it. The right to occupation rent arose from the equitable remedy granted to a co-tenant not in possession to obtain an accounting from the tenant in possession, and at least one court considered that the use of the property in the affairs of "the whole family" did not give rise to the payment of occupation rent. [emphasis added]

Other Questions


When a joint tenant dies, can the surviving joint tenant continue to have undivided interest in the property? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
In what circumstances will a landlord who claims to be a tenant be able to claim as landlord of a property where the landlord is not the landlord of the tenant? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
Is a joint tenant of a house that was purchased jointly by a husband and wife? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
Does a chattel mortgage need to be rescinded if the mortgagor is a tenant of a property where the mortgage was made prior to the tenant becoming a tenant? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
What is the test for determining whether a tenant can claim damages for non-payment of rent? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
Is a tenant entitled to lawyer fees and client costs if the assignee of a tenant defends the tenant in an action brought by the landlord? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
What is the test for obtaining an order of possession against a tenant who has been paying rent for more than 15 days? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
What is the test for claiming unjust enrichment in the context of a claim made by Alice against her former partner in her name? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
Is a mortgagee entitled to the rental of a tenant that is also a mortgagor's tenant? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
In what circumstances will a joint tenant get possession of the premises? (Saskatchewan, Canada)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.