Download free, fully‑editable Roommate Agreement templates in Microsoft Word. Includes shared‑rent, utility, pet, sub‑let and moving‑out clauses plus a step‑by‑step guide. You can explore all of our Agreement Templates to find one suitable for your requirements.
Having a roommate is a nice way to reduce the cost of rent and living, plus you get to have a good company but it can also lead to misunderstandings if the expectations are not properly set. The issues of who pays for the electricity, who takes care of the kitchen, and what to do in case one person leaves before the term are all very important but difficult to discuss. A Roommate Agreement covers those issues in writing, lays down the rights and responsibilities of each individual, and offers a pathway for conflict resolution that does not involve the court system or friendship breakups.
What Is a Roommate Agreement?
A Roommate Agreement is a private, legally binding contract between two or more individuals who share a dwelling. It spells out each roommate’s financial obligations (rent, security deposit, utilities, internet, parking fees), use‑of‑space rules (shared versus private areas, storage rights), household responsibilities (cleaning schedule, trash removal, maintenance reporting), and behavioral expectations (guest limits, pet ownership, smoking, noise curfew).
The termination procedures are also stated in the agreement, which provides details on the notice that must be given before a roommate leaves, how the calculable share of the security deposit for the departing roommate is determined, and what occurs in the event that someone leaves the lease early. By expressing these conditions in writing, the roommates form an unambiguous structure that diminishes the chance of personal conflict and at the same time, they furnish proof that can be submitted to a landlord or small-claims court if a dispute escalates.
Download Free Sample Roommate Agreements
Here are previews and download links for these free Templates in MS Word format.
A Roommate Agreement is a legal paper that makes known conditions under which individuals can occupy the same rented living quarters. Such an arrangement makes expectations explicit and thus responsibility, hence promoting coexistence. For example, rent, bills, sharing of duties, and home guidelines may be included in this agreement between housemates.
Key Components of a Roommate Agreement
You can list down following key components of such an agreement in summary.
Rent and Utilities
Security Deposit
Lease Terms
Living Arrangements
Chores and Maintenance
Guests and Noise
Conflict Resolution
House Rules
Popular Types of Roommate Agreements
Below is a narrative‑style deep‑dive into the most common roommate‑agreement variations. Choose the sections you need, mix and match, or start from the template that most closely mirrors your living arrangement.
Standard Shared‑Rent Roommate Agreement
The outlined basic contract is for two or three person households that divide their rent and utilities equally among themselves. It presents the total monthly rent, the amount each roommate has to pay, the security deposit division (which is usually in proportion to the rent share), and a timetable for paying the different utilities (electricity, water, internet). The “Housekeeping” provision creates a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning schedule, while the “Guest Policy” regulates the number of nights a guest can stay overnight in a month. Ending the lease is simple: a 30-day written notice, a prorated rent calculation for the last month, and a method for splitting the remaining security deposit after damage deductions.
Pet‑Friendly Roommate Agreement
Pets are sources of joy, but at the same time, they may also cause messes and claims. The new version of the agreement stipulates the inclusion of a Pet-Damage Deposit (usually a separate refundable amount), the necessity for the pet owner to have renters’ insurance with the landlord as an additional insured and rules about the pet’s freedom (for example, “no pets on the balcony”). In addition, it specifies who will take care of the cleaning of the pet hair, waste removal, and the payment of any vet bills if the animal injures another roommate or damages property. In case of disagreements over the pet, the agreement can contain a Pet-Removal Clause which permits the roommate without the pet to ask for the removal of the pet after a written warning period.
Sub‑Let‑Ready Roommate Agreement
Sometimes a roommate needs to leave for a semester abroad or a temporary job assignment. The sub‑let clause outlines:
Landlord Approval – the primary lease may require written consent before a sub‑tenant moves in. Screening Process – the sub‑lettor must provide a credit check, background check, and references. Rent Collection – the original roommate remains ultimately liable for the full rent; the sub‑tenant’s payment is a contract between the two roommates. Liability – any damage caused by the sub‑tenant is the responsibility of the original roommate, who must indemnify the other housemates.
Utility‑Split Agreement (Percentage‑Based)
If one roommate is doing a home office and is basically the one using most of the electricity, then it would be quite unfair to just stick to a “split equally” method. The template aids you in determining each individual’s share by percentage of the total usage, which is calculated from meter readings, appliance inventory or a pre-agreed formula (for example, 60% for the work-from-home roommate, and 40% for the others). The agreement also establishes a billing deadline (usually the 5th of every month) and a late fee (for instance, 5% of the amount due) to ensure that payments are made on time.
College‑Term Roommate Agreement
Leases are usually signed by students on an academic calendar basis. The agreement also takes into account the timing of the payments in relation to the start and end of the semester, and if the lease continues, a provision for summer months rental adjustment is included, as well as the specification of quiet-study hours (e.g., 9 pm–7 am) to support studies. Furthermore, it might contain cooperative study area regulations and the manner of dealing with university-owned furniture (if the room is furnished).
Short‑Term (Month‑to‑Month) Lease Agreement
If the roommates are not certain about their stay duration, then a month-to-month contract grants them the flexibility they desire. The contract defines a term that rolls over every 30 days, creates a risk-free environment for the landlord through the larger security deposit (which is usually equivalent to one month’s rent), and imposes a clean-out fee if a roommate leaves during the month without bringing in a new one. The “Early-Termination Penalty” is generally the same as one month’s rent, which means that it will be to the roommates’ benefit if they inform the landlord in good time.
Alcohol‑Policy Roommate Agreement
If the household wants to limit drinking, this agreement can specify:
Maximum number of drinks per person per night.
Designated storage for alcoholic beverages (e.g., a locked cabinet).
Responsibility for damage caused by intoxicated guests (the drinking roommate reimburses any repair costs).
The clause can also state that any violation is considered a breach of the agreement, subject to the same early‑termination penalties as other violations.
Home‑Office / Shared‑Workspace Agreement
With remote work on the rise, roommates may need to delineate workspace assignments, internet‑bandwidth allocation, and confidentiality of work‑related materials. The template includes:
A dedicated desk or room for each person’s equipment.
Internet‑speed sharing guidelines, possibly a premium cost split based on usage.
Noise‑level standards during work hours (e.g., 9 am–5 pm).
Data‑security obligations (no sharing of passwords, no storing of client data on shared computers).
Conflict‑Resolution Clause
Even well‑written agreements can encounter disagreement. Adding a dispute‑resolution section can save headaches:
Informal discussion – parties must first attempt a face‑to‑face conversation within 48 hours of the dispute.
Mediation – if informal talks fail, a neutral third‑party mediator (often a local community mediation center) is engaged.
Arbitration – as a last resort, binding arbitration in the city where the rental property is located.
Including this ladder of steps encourages cooperation and provides a clear roadmap if tensions rise.
Inventory‑Based Agreement
When the rental comes furnished, it’s wise to list every piece of furniture, appliances and décor in an inventory schedule attached as an exhibit. The agreement then specifies:
Which items are jointly owned (split‑cost furnishings).
Which items remain solely the property of a roommate (personal laptop, art).
The replacement cost each roommate owes if a shared item is damaged beyond normal wear.
When you pick the template that best reflects your circumstance (or if you mix and match clauses from multiple templates), you will be able to create a Roommate Agreement that will not only safeguard the finances, belongings, and tranquility of all the roommates but also be in accordance with any lease-or-landlord requirements that might be in place.
