All You Need to Know About Roommate Agreements

By: Abdullah Haroon

If history has taught us anything, it has taught us the importance of getting agreements documented in writing. Written contracts are way better than verbal ones as they have more weight, especially should a dispute arise about the terms of the agreement.

When you’re on the market to rent a property, signing a rental agreement is a given. But rental contracts differ based on whether they’re for a tenant, sublessor, or roommate. Let’s take a closer look at what a roommate agreement should include.

What is a Roommate Rental Agreement?

Also known as a ‘roommate agreement,’ this is an agreement between two or more people who share the same apartment. The lease differs from the roommate agreement in that a lease is a contract between a landlord and the tenant. A roommate agreement is a contract among tenants.

It includes basic information about agreed-upon terms of the living arrangement. It may also break down who has which household responsibilities. Though there may be a lot of information in the rental agreement, all documented terms are legally binding. Such arrangements are common among students who live together in private apartments.

Drafting a Rental Roommate Agreement

There could be an infinite number of issues that arise between roommates, and everything can’t be included in the agreement.

However, there are some key elements the agreement should always include:

• How the rent will be split;
• How utilities will be purchased and whether the money will be collected for it;
• The latest date in the monthly rent payments will be accepted and the penalty for late payments;
• How cleaning will be handled;
• A guest policy;
• Quiet time;
• Guidelines for parties/gatherings;
• Smoking and/or drinking policy; and
• The number of days notices a roommate must provide before vacating the apartment.

Roommate Agreement Template

A roommate agreement may look something like this:
On [month/day], [year], we are coming into contract for the residential property (address). Hereby, we [tenant name], [tenant name], and [tenant name], commit that we will be following the terms and conditions mentioned below in full letter and spirit for the period of lease agreement. The current lease for which this agreement is made is effective from [month/day] , [year], to [month/day] , [year].

Security Deposit:

As per the lease, a total deposit which is paid to the landlord is of $ [amount], on (date). Individually everyone paid the following amount:

[tenant name]       $   [amount] [tenant name]      $   [amount] [tenant name]       $   [amount]

Everyone among the roommates is liable to receive the deposited share once the landlords return it. In case, the landlord does any deduction that will be equally adjusted in the surety deposit of each roommate. However, if there is any damage inflicted by any individual to the property, that individual has to pay for the damage.

Rent:

As per the rules of the lease, the total rent for the property (address) is (amount) which is split among roommates as follows:
[tenant name]       $   [amount] [tenant name]        $   [amount] [tenant name]       $   [amount]

Rent must be paid by the (date of the month) in (cash/check) to the landlord.

Household Grocery:

A single ledger will keep the record of all household groceries purchased by any individual such as dish detergent, foil, plastic trash bags, etc. and the bill will be shared by all.

Clean Up:

Each roommate is supposed to clean up the kitchen after use. Everyone will take part in the common cleaning and maintenance of the residence such as dusting, vacuuming, emptying trash as well as cleaning the bathroom.

Personal Belongings:

As per the mutual understanding, no individual is supposed to take any roommate’s stuff without the permission of the owner. Anything which is borrowed will be used with the utmost care and respect.

ADDITIONAL TERMS: to avoid conflict, the following understandings have been reached:
Smoking: (state the mutually agreed terms)
Alcohol: (state the mutually agreed terms)
Drugs: (state the mutually agreed terms)
Shared Areas: (state the mutually agreed terms)
Quiet Hours: (state the mutually agreed terms)

NOTE: We have drafted this agreement with discussion and mutual agreement. Any change to them shall be in writing after consultation with everyone.
We, the undersigned, agree to the above terms and fully.

ROOMMATE SIGNATURES:
Dated:

Conclusion:

One intriguing question is whether or not to include your roommate on the original lease. Adding a roommate to your lease has its pros and cons, and you have to see what works best for you. If you include the name of your roommate in the lease, one advantage you would have is that you will not be responsible for the actions of your roommate. The landlord would deal with your roommate individually and separately.

Even still it’s important to outline how all individuals who will be sharing the apartment will govern themselves during the time the living space is shared. Doing so will help alleviate conflicts should they occur in the future.

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