Do We Have to Be On a Lease All 12 Months? Please Help!

[yankeedoodle301]

I was granted a working holiday visa for a year. I was wondering if I need to be on a lease with my boyfriend for all twelve months, or if I could live with his family for a while before we move out and sign a lease for an apartment together? So, if we had a lease for ten months or something like that, but I was still living with him for two of those other months, but just in his family's home, would it still count? Or do we need to have a signed lease and apartment ready to go immediately upon my arrival?

Thanks in advance to anyone who helps!

 

[scylla]

It sounds like you're asking about common law. If so, you don't have to be on a lease for a full year, but you do have to provide hard evidence that you shared and address for a minimum of one full year.