Free Roommate Agreement Template

Making a roommate agreement may seem unnecessary, but setting expectations often proves useful. The most common reasons to use a roommate agreement include:

• Protection in legal disputes: If anyone fails to pay rent, the agreement proves their obligations in legal claims. While courts don’t usually handle disputes over chores or personal issues, the agreement may help with internal conflict resolution.
• Preventing personal tension: Roommates often have unspoken expectations and rules for living together. Talking about and recording your agreement reduces stress caused by different lifestyles.
• Dividing space and bills: A written agreement defines the division of spaces, utility bills, and property. You can refer to the agreement to understand their expectations and solve disputes.

Writing a roommate agreement requires everyone to negotiate, compromise, and record their terms. Create an effective agreement and a peaceful living arrangement with the following steps:

1. Name all roommates: Put the full legal name and contact information of every roommate living on the property. Add additional roommates if others move in later.
2. Provide the lease details: Outline the relevant lease agreement information, such as the start date, end date, and property address. Also, list which areas are considered common spaces.
3. Divide rent payments: List the amount of rent that each roommate owes and the due date. Also, provide whether everyone has contributed to a security deposit and the amounts.
4. Split utility bills: Select which utilities each roommate pays and how the bills are divided. Note whether any utilities are the sole responsibility of a specific tenant.
5. Delegate responsibilities: Decide who will handle certain chores or if they will rotate. If desired, include a set chore schedule.
6. Set guidelines for personal property: Communicate expectations for handling personal property. Determine whether items can be shared or if you would prefer others not borrow your items.
7. Add dispute resolution: Include a section noting how roommates will handle disputes. Consider agreeing to use mediation first before pursuing further claims or intervention.
8. Decide on permissions: Add permissions for pets, smoking, alcohol, firearms use of common areas such as the kitchen and living room, and guests. You can also customize the terms and add specific guidelines for each section.
9. Outline quiet hours: Discuss whether you want to set quiet hours and determine which hours they will apply to.
10. Customize additional terms: Mention other conditions, such as designating parking spaces, food expenses, storage, and shared appliances.

View our free roommate agreement sample documents, available in PDF & Word format. This customizable template makes it easy to set the terms that work for everyone in your household.

Use this roommate agreement when housemates will be signing the original lease

PDF Word

Roommate Agreement with Lease

Use this roommate agreement when housemates will not be signing the original lease

PDF Word

Roommate Agreement without Lease

Roommates often have personal preferences about the rules they want included in the agreement. Consider discussing and adding terms for the following situations:

• Early move-out: Come up with a plan if one or more roommates want to move out before the end of the lease term. Determine whether roommates can sublet or reassign their space. State whether there is any financial penalty for leaving early.
• Rules for common spaces: Discuss guidelines for cleaning, decorating, and using common areas or shared appliances.
• House temperature: You can also add terms for each season’s temperature regulations. This ensures everyone remains comfortable and reduces electricity consumption.
• Adding new amendments: Set up a process for changing, adding, or removing terms from your agreement. Making early provisions to allow amendments ensures you can adjust the rules as needed.