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Roommate agreement

Reviewed by Clausery editors · · 3 min read

A written agreement between roommates covering rent split, bills, chores, guests, quiet hours, food, security deposits and how to handle someone moving out early.

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A roommate agreement sets expectations between people sharing a rental so small disagreements do not turn into disputes. It covers how rent and bills are split, chores, guests, quiet hours, and what happens if one roommate leaves early.

It does not replace the lease with the landlord - all roommates on the lease are jointly and severally liable for full rent to the landlord. The roommate agreement governs how roommates split costs and rules between themselves.

What to include#

  • Rent and deposit. Each roommate's share of rent and the security deposit, due date, and who pays the landlord.
  • Bills and utilities. How rent, electricity, gas, water, internet and streaming services are split and whose name they are in.
  • Chores and common areas. Cleaning schedule, shared groceries, who takes out bins, dish/kitchen rules, smoking/vaping and pets.
  • Guests and quiet hours. How often guests can stay over, overnight guest rules, parties, noise/quiet hours aligned with the lease.
  • Moving out early. Notice period required if a roommate leaves, how a replacement is found, and whether the departing roommate still owes rent.

How to fill it in#

  1. Step 1: Talk it through first

    Sit down together and discuss rent, bills, cleaning, guests and food before drafting.

  2. Step 2: Split rent fairly

    Equal split is normal; unequal room size may justify different amounts. Be clear who pays the landlord each month.

  3. Step 3: Set guest and noise rules

    Decide on overnight guests, parties and quiet hours - make them compatible with the lease.

  4. Step 4: Decide food and chores

    Shared vs separate food, a cleaning rota or expectations, and who buys shared supplies.

  5. Step 5: Sign and each keep a copy

    All roommates sign; attach a copy to the lease if the landlord wants one.

Sublease agreement

When someone replaces a roommate via sublet.

Residential lease agreement

The master lease with the landlord.

Room rental agreement

For a landlord renting a room to a tenant.

Rental application

Screen potential roommates before signing.

What to include in a roommate agreement

Checklist and common pitfalls.

Questions

Is a roommate agreement legally binding?

Yes - as between roommates, a signed agreement is a contract a court can enforce for rent contributions and shared costs.

Does it bind the landlord?

No - the lease is between tenants and landlord. The landlord is not a party to the roommate agreement.

If my roommate leaves early, am I stuck with full rent?

To the landlord - yes, all lease signers are jointly liable. The roommate agreement lets you sue your ex-roommate for their share.

Can I evict a roommate?

If they are on the lease, generally no - the landlord must do it. If they are your subtenant, you can as their landlord (see sublease).

How do we split the security deposit?

Proportional to what each paid; document condition at move-in so damages can be fairly assigned.

Browse all templates →

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

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