Roommate Agreement
This Roommate Agreement (the "Agreement") is made between [Roommate A (you)] ("Roommate A") and [Roommate B] ("Roommate B"), who will share the home at [Address of the home] (the "Home"), rented from [Landlord name] ("Landlord") under a lease on which the following is or are the tenant: [Who is on the lease] (the "Lease"). This Agreement runs from [Start date] to [End date (usually the lease end date)], and continues month to month after that if both roommates remain in the Home. Roommate A and Roommate B are each a "Roommate" and together the "Roommates".
1. Purpose
The Roommates share the Home and want to set out clearly how they will divide the money and the responsibilities. This Agreement is between the Roommates only. It does not change the Lease or any obligation either Roommate has to Landlord, and Landlord is not a party to it. Each Roommate has read the Lease and shall comply with it. A Roommate who is not on the Lease acknowledges that their right to occupy the Home depends on the Lease and on Landlord’s consent where the Lease requires it.
2. Rent
The total monthly rent under the Lease is [Total monthly rent]. Roommate A shall pay [Roommate A share of rent] and Roommate B shall pay [Roommate B share of rent] each month. Rent reaches Landlord as follows: [How rent reaches the landlord]. Where one Roommate collects and pays, the other shall deliver their share to that Roommate by the [Shares due to the payer by the], and the collecting Roommate shall pay Landlord on time and provide proof of payment on request. If a Roommate pays more than their share to avoid a default under the Lease, the other Roommate shall reimburse them within seven (7) days, together with any late fee or charge Landlord imposed because of the shortfall. If the rent under the Lease increases, each share increases in the same proportion unless the Roommates agree otherwise in writing.
3. Security Deposit
Of the security deposit held by Landlord, Roommate A contributed [Roommate A share of security deposit] and Roommate B contributed [Roommate B share of security deposit]. When Landlord returns the deposit, each Roommate receives their contribution, less any deduction attributable to damage that Roommate or that Roommate’s guests or pets caused, and less an equal share of any deduction that cannot be attributed to either. A Roommate who moves out early does not receive their share from Landlord until the Lease ends; instead the replacement roommate, or the remaining Roommate if there is no replacement, shall pay the departing Roommate their contribution, less attributable damage, within fourteen (14) days after the departing Roommate vacates, and shall then be entitled to that share when Landlord returns the deposit.
4. Utilities and Shared Expenses
Utilities and shared household expenses, including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cleaning and paper supplies bought for the Home, shall be split: [Utilities and shared expenses split]. Accounts and detail: [Accounts and who holds them]. The Roommate whose name is on an account shall pay it on time and show the bill to the other; the other shall pay their share within seven (7) days after being shown the bill. A Roommate who causes an unusual charge (for example, a large streaming purchase or a fine for late payment on an account in their name) pays it alone. Neither Roommate shall change or cancel a shared account without the other’s agreement. Each Roommate shall keep their own renter’s insurance and neither is liable for the loss of the other’s belongings.
5. Bedrooms, Shared Spaces and Chores
Roommate A has exclusive use of: [Roommate A bedroom]. Roommate B has exclusive use of: [Roommate B bedroom]. Neither Roommate shall enter the other’s bedroom without permission except in an emergency. The kitchen, bathroom, living areas, storage and any outdoor space are shared equally, and each Roommate shall clean up after themselves in shared spaces the same day. Chores and cleaning schedule: [Chores and cleaning schedule]. Each Roommate shall do their part on schedule; a Roommate who is away for more than a week shall arrange to swap.
6. Household Rules
Quiet hours are [Quiet hours], during which each Roommate shall keep noise, music and visitors to a level that does not disturb the other. Overnight guests are limited to [Maximum overnight guest nights per month] nights per month per Roommate without the other Roommate’s consent, and no guest may stay more than seven (7) consecutive nights or keep belongings in the Home. Each Roommate is responsible for their guests’ conduct and for any damage or expense they cause. Neither Roommate shall give a key or access code to anyone else.
Smoking: [Smoking]. Pets: [Pets]. A Roommate who keeps a pet is responsible for its care, any damage or cleaning it causes, and any pet deposit or fee Landlord charges. Neither Roommate shall keep anything illegal in the Home or do anything that would be a default under the Lease.
7. Shared Property and Damage
Furniture, appliances and other items each Roommate brought remain that Roommate’s property and leave with them. Items bought together for the Home belong to the Roommates in the proportion each paid; when one Roommate moves out, the other may buy their share at a fair value the Roommates agree, and if they cannot agree the item shall be sold and the proceeds divided. Each Roommate shall pay for damage to the Home or to the other’s property that they, their guests or their pets cause, and shall not withhold rent or utility shares to offset a claim against the other.
8. Moving Out Early
A Roommate who wants to leave before the end date shall give the other at least [Notice to move out early (days)] days’ written notice. The departing Roommate remains responsible for their share of rent and expenses until the notice period ends and, if later, until a replacement roommate approved in writing by the remaining Roommate and, where the Lease requires, by Landlord has moved in and started paying. The remaining Roommate shall not unreasonably refuse a replacement who meets Landlord’s screening standards. The departing Roommate shall leave their bedroom and their share of the common areas clean, remove all belongings, return keys, and settle any balance of shared expenses before leaving. Nothing in this Section limits a Roommate’s liability to Landlord under the Lease.
9. Breach; Disputes
If a Roommate fails to pay a share of rent or expenses when due on two occasions, repeatedly breaches the household rules after written notice, or does anything that causes a default notice under the Lease, the other Roommate may, in addition to recovering any amount owed, require the breaching Roommate to move out on [Notice to move out early (days)] days’ written notice, to the extent the Lease and the law of the State of [Governing law (state)] allow. The Roommates shall try in good faith to resolve any dispute by talking it through, and then by mediation through a community mediation service if one is available, before either files a claim in small claims court. The prevailing Roommate in any claim is entitled to court costs.
10. General
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [Governing law (state)]. It is the entire agreement between the Roommates about sharing the Home, replaces any earlier understanding, and may be amended only in a writing signed by both. If any provision is unenforceable, the rest remains in effect. A Roommate who tolerates a breach on one occasion does not waive the right to insist on performance later. This Agreement may be signed electronically and in counterparts, and the electronic execution record kept by the signing platform is conclusive evidence of execution.
Signatures
Roommate A · Roommate B