Roommate Agreement Guide
Most roommate disasters are not personality clashes; they are unwritten expectations colliding. Write it down while you still like each other.
Money, precisely
Who pays what share of rent (equal splits are not mandatory; price the bigger room higher), how utilities and internet are divided, due dates, payment method, and what happens if someone pays late. Include the security deposit split and the conditions for getting it back.
The shared space rules
Cleaning schedule with names attached, not vibes. Quiet hours. Overnight guest policy with actual numbers (how many nights a week). Food sharing or labeling. Thermostat authority. These sound petty until they are not written down.
The exit plan
How much notice before moving out, who finds the replacement, whether the departing roommate keeps paying until replaced, and how the deposit transfers. Most roommate fights are really exit fights; decide the exit at the entrance.
Put it in writing
A roommate agreement is separate from the lease and does not need a lawyer: names, dates, every term above, signatures. If only one person is on the lease, that person is the landlord's only legal counterparty, so the agreement between roommates is what protects everyone else.
More renter guides
- First Apartment ChecklistEverything to do, buy, and check before and after move-in day.
- Renting With Bad CreditHow to get approved with a low score: co-signers, larger deposits, proof of income.
- How Much Rent Can I Afford?The 30% rule, the 50/30/20 budget, and what landlords actually require.
- Security Deposit GuideHow deposits work, what landlords can deduct, and how to get yours back.
- How to Read a LeaseEvery clause that matters, translated from legalese, before you sign.
- Renter's Insurance ExplainedWhat it covers, what it costs ($15-30/month), and why landlords require it.
- Moving Checklist8-week timeline: what to do when, from decluttering to address changes.
Run your budget with the rent affordability calculator, check your state's deposit limit, or browse the full renting hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is a roommate agreement legally binding?
A signed roommate agreement is generally enforceable as a contract between the roommates for money owed, though it does not override the lease with the landlord.
How should roommates split rent unevenly?
Price by private space: the person with the bigger bedroom or private bath pays more. A common method: split shared space equally, then assign bedroom premiums by square footage.
What if my roommate stops paying?
The landlord can pursue whoever is on the lease, usually all of you jointly. Your roommate agreement lets you recover their share from them, but it does not stop the landlord from expecting full rent.