Skip to content
Welcome back Continue →

Free room rental agreement template (Word)

Reviewed by Clausery editors · · 3 min read

An agreement between a homeowner/tenant and a roommate renting a room in an occupied home, covering rent, bills, shared spaces and house rules.

Build your room rental agreement → Download Word

No sign-up. Editable Word (.docx) or print to PDF. Your answers stay in your browser. Updated .

A room rental agreement (or room lease) is used when someone rents a bedroom in a home the owner or primary tenant also lives in — common for housemates, students and live-in landlords. It covers rent, deposit, shared bills, house rules and notice.

Unlike a standard residential lease where the tenant has exclusive possession, a room rental typically means shared kitchen/bathroom and rules set by the primary occupant. Local landlord-tenant law still applies to eviction and deposit handling.

What to include#

  • Parties and room. Homeowner/primary tenant name, roomer name, property address and which room is rented.
  • Term and rent. Move-in date, fixed term or month-to-month, monthly rent amount, due date, accepted payment and late fee.
  • Security deposit. Deposit amount (capped by state law where applicable), deductions allowed, and return timeline.
  • Shared costs. How utilities, internet, groceries and household supplies are split; who pays what and when.
  • House rules. Guests/overnight policy, quiet hours, smoking, pets, cleaning chores, shared-space use and notice to enter the room.

How to fill it in#

  1. Step 1: Agree on terms first

    Discuss rent, bills, chores, guests, quiet hours and move-in date before drafting.

  2. Step 2: Run it past existing flatmates

    If other people live there, make sure everyone agrees to the new arrangement.

  3. Step 3: Sign the agreement

    Both primary occupant and roomer sign; each gets a copy.

  4. Step 4: Collect deposit and first rent

    Take deposit + first month rent up front; document condition with photos at move-in.

  5. Step 5: Set up standing payments

    Use a recurring transfer for rent and shared bills to avoid late-payment disputes.

Roommate agreement

For housemates on an equal lease (no master tenant).

Sublease agreement

When a tenant sublets their whole unit/room under a master lease.

Residential lease agreement

Full-lease template for the whole property.

Rent receipt

Provide receipts for rent paid in cash.

Free landlord forms

Full landlord/tenant template set.

Questions

Does a room renter have tenant rights?

Yes — even a verbal arrangement usually creates a tenancy with eviction and deposit protections under local law.

Can I kick out a bad roommate without notice?

No — you must follow local eviction procedures, even for someone renting just a room.

Can I ban guests entirely?

That is hard to enforce; a reasonable guest policy (number of nights, advance notice) is more typical.

How much deposit?

Typically one month rent; many states cap residential deposits at 1-2 months.

Do I need to tell my landlord?

Yes — most leases prohibit subletting/roomers without written landlord consent.

Browse all templates →

These are general templates, not legal or tax advice. Have anything unusual reviewed for your jurisdiction.

Continue drafting Top