A roommate agreement is a private contract among people sharing a rental. It does not replace the lease with the landlord, but it makes expectations clear and gives you something to point to when disagreements start.
What to cover
- Who pays what: rent share, utilities, internet and shared supplies.
- Due dates and how payments are made.
- Guests, overnight stays, noise and quiet hours.
- Cleaning duties and shared spaces.
- Pets, smoking and use of common property.
- What happens if someone moves out early or needs to be replaced.
How it relates to the lease
If everyone signed the same lease, each tenant is usually responsible to the landlord for the full rent, not only their share. The roommate agreement governs the relationship among roommates, but the landlord is not bound by it. Check whether subletting or replacing a roommate requires landlord consent.
Handling the deposit
Decide in advance how the security deposit is divided and who gets back what when someone leaves. Keep move-in photos so deductions can be assigned fairly.
Tips
- Talk through every item together before anyone signs.
- Keep it short and specific.
- Everyone signs and keeps a copy.
- Revisit it when something changes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a roommate agreement legally enforceable?
Generally yes as a contract, though practical enforcement of small disputes may go through small claims court.
Do roommates need to be on the lease?
Anyone living there should typically be listed. Unlisted occupants may be in violation of the lease.