Document an agreement between roommates: Roommate Agreement
What is a Roommate Agreement?
A Roommate Agreement is a document intended to help maintain the peace between co-inhabitants by clearly outlining everyone's obligations regarding the arrangement. Roommate Agreements help you start off your new living arrangement with everyone clearly aware of their responsibilities.
Whether you are moving in with someone you've known for a short or long period of time, it is better to put together a list of house rules and clearly defined expectations before any potential issues arise. This is where a Roommate Agreement—sometimes also referred to as a Roommate Contract, Co-Housing Agreement, or even Co-Tenant Agreement—can be useful to all parties involved.
Moving in with someone? Make your own Roommate Agreement easily with Rocket Lawyer – just answer a few questions, and we will build the document for you.
When to use a Roommate Agreement:
- You're moving in with a roommate.
- A new roommate is moving in with you.
- Your university requires you to have one for on-campus or off-campus housing.
Have questions about your Roommate Agreement?
Whether you're preparing your Roommate Agreement, reviewing one someone sent you, or just want to understand it better, here's how to get help.
- Understand what it says or review it. Use our AI legal assistant to ask questions about your Roommate Agreement, understand what it says, and spot anything that may need a closer look.
- Ask an attorney a question. Connect with an attorney for legal information, with a written answer within one business day or a live consultation.
- Get advice on what to do. For privileged, confidential advice about your specific circumstances and next steps, book a Legal Advice Session with an attorney.
Sample Roommate Agreement
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ROOMMATE AGREEMENT
This Roommate Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into on (the "Effective Date"), by and between the following roommates:
The roommates may be referred to individually as a "Roommate" or collectively as the "Roommates."
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Roommates are co-tenants at the premises located at , , (the "Premises").
WHEREAS, there is a written lease or rental agreement with the landlord, (the "Landlord"), for the Premises, dated (the "Rental Agreement").
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and mutual promises and benefits contained herein, the Roommates agree to the following terms:
. RENTAL AGREEMENT. All of the Roommates agree to be bound by all of the terms of the Rental Agreement.
. TERM.
The Landlord should be notified of any change in Roommates, so that proper arrangements can be made.
. RENT. The total monthly rent for the Premises is . Each Roommate will pay the following amount(s):
Rent shall be payable by each Roommate on the day of each month. The rent shall be paid in full to The Roommates understand that they are jointly and severally liable for the full amount of the rent, which means that each Roommate is responsible to the Landlord for the full amount of rent for the Premises if the other Roommates fail to pay their share.
. DEPOSIT. The total security deposit for the Premises is . Each Roommate will pay the following amount(s):
Each Roommate will receive their share of the deposit when the Landlord returns it at the end of the tenancy. Any deductions from the deposit will be shared by all Roommates in proportion to the amount of deposit paid. However, any damage caused by one of the Roommates will be paid only by that Roommate.
. PETS. If pets are permitted under the Rental Agreement, each pet owner shall be responsible for all damages caused by their pet. This includes, but is not limited to, damage to the furniture, carpeting, doors, yard, garden, and any other household fixture.
. UTILITIES. The utilities will be assigned as follows:
. PERSONAL PROPERTY. All Roommates agree to refrain from borrowing another Roommate's personal property without prior approval. Exceptions to this provision should be clearly stated in writing, with the Roommates reserving the right to change their minds about sharing of their items. Property that is borrowed will be used respectfully and returned in the same condition. If any damage is done to any personal property, the Roommate responsible for the damage will be held liable.
. HOUSEHOLD DUTIES. All Roommates agree to share the responsibilities of cleaning and maintaining the common areas of the Premises ("common areas" means the entirety of the Premises other than the Roommate's private bedrooms). This includes dusting, vacuuming, emptying the trash, cleaning the bathrooms, yard work, doing the dishes, and any other household maintenance.
. NEW ROOMMATES: New additional roommates may move in only with the written permission of all other Roommates and the Landlord.
not Each Roommate shall have an equal share of the parking space(s).
. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the State of .
. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Roommates, and there are no other promises or conditions in any other agreement whether oral or written concerning the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any written or oral agreements between the Roommates but has no effect on the Rental Agreement.
. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions will continue to be valid and enforceable. If a court finds that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision will be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited.
. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be modified or amended in writing if the writing is signed by each Roommate.
. WAIVER OF CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS. The failure of any Roommate to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that party's right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with every provision of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Roommates have executed this Agreement in the manner prescribed by law as of the Effective Date.
| By: | Date: |
Roommate Agreement FAQs
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What should be in a Roommate Agreement?
All Roommate Agreements should include at least the following:
- Address of the property to be shared.
- Contact information for all parties, including landlord and/or property manager.
- Dates the contract begins and ends.
- Rent amounts and due dates.
Additional issues that can be covered include:
- Cleaning and maintenance responsibilities.
- Utilities.
- Insurance.
- Groceries and other household expenses.
- Parking.
- Alcohol consumption policy/limitations.
- Quiet hours.
Because this Roommate Agreement is personal to your unique living situation, you can include any major items that you want to commit to upholding. You are not limited to the listed items above.
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Why is it important to have a Roommate Agreement in place?
A Roommate Agreement helps prevent misunderstandings and conflicts by clearly defining rules regarding rent, utilities, chores, guests, noise levels, and other aspects of shared living.
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How do I write a Roommate Contract?
It's simple to make a Roommate Contract with Rocket Lawyer's free template. Simply answer each of the questions in the step-by-step interview process to automatically populate your information. When you're done, you can save, download, print, and sign your agreement.
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How is a Roommate Agreement different from a Lease Agreement?
A Lease Agreement is between tenants and the landlord or property manager. A Roommate Agreement is between the people who choose to live together. While the Roommate Agreement may discuss rent and utilities, it often includes additional information that is not included in the Lease Agreement.
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What is considered a roommate?
A roommate is any person sharing a living space, regardless of classification. Co-living with other individuals or families, doubled-up households, and living with roommates is becoming increasingly common, particularly in areas with high costs of living.
A Roommate Agreement is a good way to keep relationships running smoothly and to keep the property adequately maintained. These contracts can cover more than just financial agreements. You can also use them to define cleaning expectations, noise restrictions, guest visitation rules, and more.
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What happens if a roommate violates the Roommate Agreement?
If a roommate violates the terms of the Roommate Agreement, the other roommates may address the issue directly with the individual, seek mediation, or consider legal action if necessary.
