There is a separate contract with each tenant (i.e., multiple contracts), and each tenant is only responsible for paying for their private area.
This differs from a roommate situation in that there is generally one contract with the entire group.
Similarly with subletting: there is one contract with the landlord and the 'main' tenant, and then that tenant then turns around creates separate contract between them and another tenant.
My impression is that boarding house usually includes some services (cleaning, maintenance, food) from the owner or an employee who lives on the premises.
Yes, the situation with shared common areas and private bedrooms individually leased is more typically called "single room occupancy" (SRO) and is often prohibited by local rental codes.
Where I live there is discussion about allowing it in some neighborhoods, with the requirement that the property owner is also resident in the house.
A private bedroom but shared living/cooking space is generally called a rooming/boarding house:
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boarding_house
* https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/mult...
There is a separate contract with each tenant (i.e., multiple contracts), and each tenant is only responsible for paying for their private area.
This differs from a roommate situation in that there is generally one contract with the entire group.
Similarly with subletting: there is one contract with the landlord and the 'main' tenant, and then that tenant then turns around creates separate contract between them and another tenant.