Roommate Agreement: What to Include in Your Contract

The Basics of Roommate Agreements

Moving in with a roommate can be a great way to save money and have someone to hang out with. But, just like any relationship, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what each person needs and expects. That’s why having a written roommate agreement is so important.

A roommate agreement is a contract between two or more people who are living together. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of each person, as well as expectations for the living situation. It can be a helpful tool for resolving any potential disagreements, and can help keep the peace in the home.

What to Include in Your Roommate Agreement

Your roommate agreement should include the basics, such as how rent and utilities will be paid, who is responsible for what chores, and how visitors will be handled. Here are some other items to consider:

• Quiet hours: When are loud activities, such as playing music or talking on the phone, allowed?
• Cleaning schedule: Who will clean the common areas, and how often?
• Shared items: Who will be responsible for buying and replacing shared items, such as dish soap, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies?
• Personal items: Will you share food, clothing, or other personal items?
• Visitors: How often can visitors stay over, and for how long?
• Lease: What happens if one roommate wants to move out before the lease is up?

Sample Roommate Agreements

Here are three sample roommate agreements that you can use as a starting point. Be sure to customize them to fit your own living situation.

Sample Agreement #1

We, [name 1] and [name 2], agree to the following terms and conditions as our roommate agreement:

• We will each pay half of the rent and utilities each month, and any other bills that come up.
• We will take turns cleaning the common areas once a week.
• We will share food, clothing, and other personal items.
• We will respect each other’s privacy and quiet hours from 10pm to 8am.
• We will not have visitors stay over more than twice a week.
• If one of us wants to move out before the lease is up, we will do our best to find a suitable replacement.

Sample Agreement #2

We, [name 1] and [name 2], agree to the following terms and conditions as our roommate agreement:

• We will each pay a third of the rent and utilities each month, and any other bills that come up.
• We will each be responsible for our own cleaning of the common areas.
• We will not share food, clothing, or other personal items.
• We will respect each other’s privacy and quiet hours from 11pm to 8am.
• We will not have visitors stay over more than once a week.
• If one of us wants to move out before the lease is up, we will do our best to find a suitable replacement.

Sample Agreement #3

We, [name 1] and [name 2], agree to the following terms and conditions as our roommate agreement:

• We will each pay an equal share of the rent and utilities each month, and any other bills that come up.
• We will take turns cleaning the common areas twice a week.
• We will share food, clothing, and other personal items.
• We will respect each other’s privacy and quiet hours from 9pm to 10am.
• We will not have visitors stay over more than three times a week.
• If one of us wants to move out before the lease is up, we will do our best to find a suitable replacement.

Wrapping Up

Having a clear and written roommate agreement can help ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to expectations and responsibilities. Be sure to customize your agreement to fit your own living situation, and revisit it periodically to make sure it’s still working for everyone.