Roommate Agreement PDF Template

You have probably had roommates before and found that something just didn’t work out the way you wanted. Many times, verbal agreements established don’t clearly communicate all of the aspects of being a roommate. You can easily leave yourself exposed to nasty disputes if you don’t sign something in writing beforehand. Try doing things the right way and use our easy-to-understand Roommate Agreement Template to establish the house ground rules, before things get too complicated!

You’ll need to do all of the proper research and homework first, but this template will give you a head-start and a good framework. You should always consult a lawyer though before finalizing any contracts.

Download the template today and edit it using any version of our PDF Reader apps.

What is a Roommate Agreement?

A roommate agreement is a written pact used for renting out a room in a shared rental property, expertly crafted to prevent disputes arising from unclear verbal arrangements. Designed by legal professionals, it establishes clear house rules for shared living, covering common terms, and tailored for rentals. In essence, it's a proactive measure, simplifying the complexities of shared living and providing a structured framework for a positive and drama-free roommate experience.

What is the Difference between a Roommate and a Housemate?

The distinction between a roommate and a housemate lies in the extent of their shared living arrangement. A roommate typically shares a bedroom or living space within the same dwelling, participating in the division of rent and utilities. Conversely, a housemate involves a more comprehensive living scenario, where individuals share an entire house, encompassing common areas like the kitchen and living room. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, the key difference lies in the scope of shared living space. Whether you're navigating a roommate or housemate situation, ensuring clear expectations through a precisely defined agreement is crucial for cultivating a harmonious living environment.

Why are Roommate Agreements important?

Having a contract such as a roommate agreement is essential for minimizing liabilities and ensuring compatibility in your shared living situation. The agreement, by listing and itemizing preferences, serves as a filter, deterring unwanted roommates from signing and ensuring a harmonious living environment. To avoid disputes, discussing relevant issues beforehand is vital.

For instance, conflicts can arise from disparate ideas about quiet hours or sharing preferences. If your roommate prefers partying outside normal quiet hours or insists on sharing all food for cost reasons, such differences can be potential sources of conflict. The agreement serves as a legally binding, ensuring alignment with schedules and preferences.

Moreover, the agreement acts as a safeguard in scenarios involving accidental damages, clarifying responsibilities and avoiding potential disagreements and overcharges. Consider a situation where your roommate is responsible for the living room upkeep, but a guest accidentally damages the wall, leading to a landlord-imposed security deposit fee. Clearly outlining such terms in advance prevents ambiguity, ensuring clarity on who is responsible for what and when. This proactive approach establishes a foundation for a smooth and trouble-free living arrangement.

How to Write a Roommate Agreement

Step 1: Transition from Verbal to Written Agreement

The initial step in forming a roommate agreement often begins with a verbal understanding. When engaging with any potential roommates, initial discussions may involve the establishment of guidelines and roommate rules, covering aspects like cleaning schedules, monthly rent, and household duties. While in an ideal scenario where everyone is friends and everything runs smoothly, verbal agreements might suffice, the reality for most is that putting things in writing is a more prudent approach. To create a roommate contract, transitioning from informal talks to a documented understanding becomes crucial, providing clarity and avoiding potential conflicts in shared living spaces.

Step 2: Elaborate Expectations and Craft the Agreement

In the second step of creating a roommate agreement, build on previous discussions and oral agreements. Focus on everyone's rights, financial responsibilities, and expectations, using the 5 W’s: who, what, where, when, and why. Our expert-crafted template provides a concise document, covering common terms and conditions for a clear agreement. Most of the time, a good roommate contract may include basic information, such as property address, provisions for rent payment, lease term, security deposits, and some additional rules, such as pets, maintenance duties, cleaning responsibilities, common spaces, overnight guests, etc. Moreover, additional issues can be found when splitting the supplies, such as dish detergent and cleaning supplies; these should also be clearly mentioned in the contract.

In addition, keep the agreement straightforward and robust, setting the stage for a positive roommate experience. In case of disagreements, collaborate to adjust terms for a fair balance. This detailed planning promotes clear communication and prevents misunderstandings in shared living spaces.

Step 3: Legal Check for a Strong Roommate Agreement

In the third step of crafting a roommate agreement, delve into legal intricacies by acknowledging its potential influence or subjection to another agreement, such as a rental or lease agreement, which might itself be subject to additional agreements, particularly in the case of subletting. Understanding this legal interdependence is crucial, as any roommate agreement is contingent on terms in another legal agreement, like a rental contract. For example, if the rental agreement specifies a security deposit return within 14 days after the lease expires, your roommate agreement cannot suggest 13 days, with the lease contract taking precedence in conflicts. This legal check guarantees consistency and clarity in your agreement.

To avoid complications, revisit your original lease, sublet, sublease agreement, or rental agreement to identify potential contradictions or overlaps. If considering living with another prospective roommate, requesting to read their rental agreement is a wise move. This ensures a clear understanding of legal expectations from the tenant, contributing to the creation of a well-informed and legally sound roommate agreement.

Additionally, unlike many contracts, a roommate agreement may not always involve material exchanges, especially when no money is involved. However, its validity is not contingent on monetary transactions alone. Promises made by both parties are legally recognized, akin to monetary exchanges. It's crucial to note that legal validity varies across jurisdictions, and local laws, homeowners associations, or municipal ordinances may dictate specific terms or nullify others. Therefore, while making agreements within the contract, it's essential to ensure their legality for enforceability in court. Remember, consulting a lawyer before finalizing any contracts is a prudent step, ensuring the robustness of your agreement when it truly matters.

Step 4: Practice and Present with Care

In the fourth step of creating a roommate agreement, double-check everything to ensure it makes sense. If you're about to share the agreement with a potential roommate, practice presenting it a couple of times. Think of it like a PowerPoint presentation – the way you explain things matters. Practicing helps you avoid overwhelming your prospective roommate before handing them a stack of paper and you can expect a balanced roommate relationship. Good luck!

How to Evict a Roommate?

Evicting a roommate depends on your situation and legal reasons. When both you and your roommate are listed on the lease, it's crucial to recognize that any violation impacts both of you equally. In such cases, the landlord has two options. First, they can issue a notice to quit and attempt to terminate the lease for both parties. Alternatively, the landlord may opt to send the notice to quit, aiming to terminate the lease while allowing you to remain and find a new roommate. However, achieving the latter scenario is challenging unless you have a strong relationship with the landlord.

On the other hand, if you are listed on the lease, and your roommate is not, seeking the landlord's assistance becomes necessary to remove the roommate from the premises. In this situation, you should contact the landlord to initiate eviction proceedings by issuing a notice to quit. If the roommate remains non-compliant, inform the landlord that further steps, such as filing an Unlawful Detainer or Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) with the local court, may be necessary. In extreme cases, the landlord may need to involve the Sheriff’s office to remove the non-compliant tenant from the property.