A simple, customizable, roommate agreement
Customize your own or download a template contract
When should I use this document?
I'm moving into an apartment with roommates
A roommate I met online is moving into my apartment
A roommate is moving in with me and I don't have a legal agreement with them
Someone I know is moving in with roommates and doesn't have a legal agreement
I'm moving into someone's apartment as their roommate
What does this roommate contract include?
This agreement covers all of the details including rent, lease terms, utilities, and more.
Rent and Utilities
Your roommate agreement should clearly lay out who pays for what, and when. That means laying out details like how the rent is split, how the rent is paid to the landord, who pays the utilities, and how those are split.
1. Rent
The total monthly rent will be divided among each roommate. Each roommate sends their share of the rent directly to the landlord on the 1st of the month.
2. Utilities
Everyone will pay an equal share of the electricity, gas and internet bills. A delegated roommate (Primary Roommate) will arrange for the service and pay the bill. Within three days of receiving the bill, Primary Roommate will pay their share.
Common Courtesy and Behavior
It's important to put common courtesy rules down on paper. Your roommates might not agree with your opinions on behavioral rules, but if you lay out all of the terms in your contract ahead of time you don't need to argue when there's an issue.
3. Cleaning
Each roommate is responsible for cleaning his or her own room. Common areas will be cleaned weekly on Sunday, and everyone agrees to take part in this cleaning, including: vacuuming, dusting, mopping, and bathroom maintenance.
4. Quiet Hours
No one will make unnecessary or disturbing amounts of noise between 10PM and 8AM.
5. Overnight Guests
Overnight guests are allowed within reason: guests may not stay more than 5 nights per month.
6. Use of Space
If a roommate is planning to use the common areas an extended period of time that will prevent others from using it they will give advance notice and get everyone’s consent beforehand.
7. Food and Shared Items
Everyone is responsible for buying their own food, but all roommates share the dishes and other kitchen items.
Smoking and Drug Use
Smoking can be an issue for a variety of reasons, from preference all the way to severe allergies. Laying out your agreed positions on drug use is vital.
8. Drug Use
Smoking is: ⬜ allowed ⬜ not allowed.
Alcohol is: ⬜ allowed ⬜ not allowed
Marijuana is: ⬜ allowed ⬜ not allowed
Other drugs are: ⬜ allowed ⬜ not allowed
Pets
Furry friends need to be agreed on. Naturally, having a dog or cat around changes things, from cleaning to leaving food out to the occasional accident.
9. Pets
Any new pets will require everyone’s permission before bringing him or her into the house.
Legal Conflicts and Disputes
As with any agreement, the penalties for violation need to be agreed upon as well. It's important to decide how you and your roommates deal with someone needing to move out, someone continually breaking the laid out terms, or just a disagreement of what the agreement states.
10. Leaving Before the Lease Ends
If a roommate wants to leave early agree to give at least 30 days notice and find a replacement who is acceptable to the remaining roommates and to the landlord.
11. Dispute Resolution
If a dispute arises concerning this agreement or any aspect of the shared living situation, the roommates will ask an unbiased mediator to sit down with them and try to resolve the problems in good faith.
12. Violations of the Agreement
The roommates agree that repeated and serious violations of one or more of these understandings will be grounds for any two cotenants to ask the other to leave. If a roommate is asked to leave, he or she will do so within two weeks and will forfeit any outstanding pre-paid rent.
Create a custom agreement just for you
Fill out rent, lease terms, utilities, and more. Easily prepare the perfect roommate agreement for whatever situation.
Accountability comes first
Specify who needs to do what and when. No more mind games to figure out who pays utilities.