Roommate Agreement Template

A roommate agreement is a written contract between individuals sharing a rental unit that defines each person's responsibilities, financial obligations, and house rules. Unlike the primary lease between a landlord and tenant, a roommate agreement governs the relationship among co-tenants living in the same property. It typically covers how rent and utilities are divided, which bedrooms or spaces are assigned to each person, and how shared areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and living room will be used and maintained.

You need a roommate agreement any time two or more unrelated people share a rental home or apartment, whether you are college students splitting an off-campus house, young professionals sharing a city apartment, or anyone looking to reduce housing costs by co-habiting. Without a written agreement, disputes over late rent payments, cleaning duties, noise levels, overnight guests, and shared expenses can escalate quickly and damage relationships. A clear written document gives every roommate a reference point and helps resolve disagreements before they become serious conflicts.

A thorough roommate agreement should include each roommate's full legal name, the address of the shared property, the start and end date of the arrangement, the total rent amount and each person's share, a plan for splitting utilities and other recurring costs, rules about guests and quiet hours, cleaning schedules or expectations, procedures for handling a roommate who wants to move out early, and how security deposit refunds will be managed when the tenancy ends. Including a section on conflict resolution, such as agreeing to mediation before taking legal action, is also a practical addition. This document complements but does not replace the master lease with your landlord.