I live in the home of a friend who is also the homeowner. We have a roommate who pays 500.00 a month rent which includes utilities and no household responsibilities are required. I have my own room as well, however, I pay for 1/2 the utilities, pay and care for the homeowners pets, purchace the household supplies and groceries, maintain the interior housekeeping and exteerior yardwork and landscaping, (min. 20 hrs. a wk) as well as the labor and costs for repairs, upgrades and home improvements. I do not pay rent as my responsibilities far out weigh 500.00 a mo. I live in California. Am I still considered a tenant? Can the homeowner ask me to leave whenever he feels like it? I have lived in the home for 5 years and never signed a lease agreement.

He can ask you to leave but if you want to stay he'd have to evict you under CA eviction laws since you are a resident. California Tenants - California Department of Consumer Affairs