Free Roommate Agreement Template

A roommate agreement template makes it easy to agree on the practical side of sharing a home before small irritations turn into big arguments. Who pays what share of the rent? How are utility bills split? What happens if someone wants to move out early, or a partner starts staying over most nights? Writing the answers down now saves a lot of awkward conversations later.

Below you can download two free roommate agreement templates in Word and PDF. The first is a simple one-page agreement for roommates who want the essentials in writing. The second is a detailed, checklist-style version with a rent and bills table, a chore rota and house-rule checkboxes. Both are fully editable.

What Is a Roommate Agreement?

A roommate agreement is a written contract between people who share a rented home. It sets out how rent, deposits and household bills are divided, how common areas are used and cleaned, and what rules everyone agrees to follow on guests, noise, pets, smoking and moving out.

It is different from the lease you sign with the landlord. The lease contract or tenancy contract governs the relationship between the tenants and the landlord. The roommate agreement governs the relationship between the roommates themselves. It cannot override the lease, so the landlord’s rules always come first.

Download Free Roommate Agreement Templates (Word & PDF)

Choose the simple one-page version or the detailed checklist version. Both are editable in Word and Google Docs, with [BRACKETED] fields to replace.

When Do You Need a Roommate Agreement?

A roommate agreement is useful any time two or more adults share a rented home, but it is especially valuable when:

• You are moving in with someone you do not know well, such as a roommate found online.
• Only one person’s name is on the lease and they are subletting rooms to others.
• Roommates have different incomes or room sizes and will pay unequal shares of rent.
• One roommate is moving out and a replacement is moving in partway through the lease.
• Friends or couples are living together and want to protect the relationship by setting expectations early.
• Students are sharing a house for an academic year.

Key Clauses in a Roommate Agreement

Rent and Security Deposit

State the total monthly rent, each roommate’s share and how it is paid. Will each person pay the landlord directly, or will one roommate collect payments and send one transfer? Record how much each person contributed to the security deposit and how deductions for damage will be shared when the deposit is returned.

Utilities and Household Bills

List each bill, such as electricity, gas, water, internet and streaming services, who holds the account and how the cost is split. Agree a due date for reimbursing the account holder. A simple table, like the one in our detailed template, avoids confusion.

Room Assignments and Common Areas

Record who has which bedroom and any extras, such as a private bathroom or parking space, that justify a higher share of rent. Explain how shared spaces like the kitchen, living room and laundry are used.

Chores and Cleaning

Decide whether chores rotate weekly or are assigned permanently, and what “clean” means for the kitchen and bathroom. A written rota is one of the most effective ways to prevent resentment.

Guests, Partners and Overnight Stays

Agree how often overnight guests are allowed, how much notice is needed and at what point a frequent guest should start contributing to bills. Check your lease, as many landlords limit long-term guests.

Noise, Pets, Smoking and Shared Food

Set quiet hours, rules on smoking or vaping, whether pets are allowed (subject to the lease) and whether groceries and household supplies are shared or kept separate.

Moving Out and Replacing a Roommate

Explain how much notice a departing roommate must give, whether they must find an approved replacement, and that they remain responsible for their share of rent until the lease ends or a replacement signs on.

Dispute Resolution

Agree a simple process: talk first, hold a house meeting second, and consider mediation if you still cannot agree.

How to Split Rent Fairly Between Roommates

Rent is usually the largest shared cost, so it deserves the most attention. There is no single correct method; the right one is the one every roommate understands and accepts before signing. The most common approaches are:

• Equal split: total rent divided by the number of roommates. Simple and transparent, and it works best when bedrooms are similar in size and features.
• Room-based split: larger bedrooms, rooms with a private bathroom, a balcony or a parking space pay a higher share. Some households measure each room’s square footage and divide the private-space portion of the rent proportionally, then split the remainder equally for shared areas.
• Income-based split: each person pays a percentage that reflects their income. This is more common between couples or close friends.

Whichever approach you choose, write the exact figure for each person in the agreement and say what happens if the rent goes up at renewal, for example that increases are shared in the same proportions. Do the same for the security deposit so everyone knows what they will get back.

How to Fill In the Roommate Agreement Template

1. Add the property and lease details. Enter the address, landlord name and lease start and end dates.
2. List every roommate. Include full names, contact details and which room each person occupies.
3. Split the rent. Enter each person’s share in amount or percentage and the date it is due.
4. Record deposits. Enter how much each roommate paid toward the security deposit.
5. Complete the bills table. For each utility, enter the account holder and how the cost is divided.
6. Set house rules. Tick the rules that apply and add any of your own.
7. Fill in the chore rota. Assign tasks to each roommate or set a rotation.
8. Agree moving-out terms. Enter the notice period and replacement process.
9. Sign and share copies. Every roommate signs and keeps a copy, digital or printed.

Tips and Common Mistakes

• Leaving it until there is a problem. Sign the agreement when everyone moves in, while relationships are still good.
• Contradicting the lease. Read the lease first. A roommate agreement cannot allow pets, subletting or extra occupants the landlord prohibits.
• Vague bill splitting. Specify exact percentages and deadlines rather than “we’ll split it fairly.”
• No plan for early departures. Most disputes arise when someone leaves early. Agree the rules in advance.
• Not updating it. When a roommate changes, review and re-sign the agreement with the new person.
• Keeping it verbal. Spoken agreements are easily forgotten or remembered differently. A written document creates a clear record.

If you are thinking about buying rather than renting, our rent-to-own contract template explains another path. Browse more housing documents in the Rental Contracts category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a roommate agreement legally binding?

A roommate agreement can be a binding contract between the roommates if it is clear, voluntary and signed. Courts in some places will enforce financial terms such as unpaid rent or bills, although they are less likely to enforce household rules like chores. It does not bind the landlord.

Do all roommates need to be on the lease?

Not necessarily, but it depends on your landlord and local law. If a roommate is not on the lease, the roommate agreement becomes even more important for recording their payment obligations. Check whether your lease permits subletting before taking in a roommate.

How should rent be split between roommates?

Common methods are an equal split, a split based on bedroom size or private bathrooms, or a split based on income. Whatever you choose, write the exact amounts or percentages in the agreement.

What happens if a roommate stops paying rent?

If everyone is on a joint lease, the landlord can usually hold all tenants responsible for the full rent. A roommate agreement gives the paying roommates written evidence to recover the unpaid share from the person who did not pay.

Can we change the roommate agreement later?

Yes. Any change should be made in writing and signed by all current roommates. It is a good idea to review the agreement whenever someone moves in or out.

Legal Disclaimer

This roommate agreement template is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws differ by country, state and city. Consult a local attorney or tenant advice service if you have questions about your rights.