Do I need a roommate agreement if we already have a lease?

The lease only covers landlord-tenant matters. A roommate agreement covers roommate-to-roommate issues like chores, guests, quiet hours, and expense splits that aren't in the lease.

What if a roommate breaks the agreement?

Financial violations (unpaid rent share) can be pursued in small claims court. Non-financial violations usually trigger the exit clause, allowing the other roommate to end the arrangement with notice.

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Roommate Agreement

Q: Is a roommate agreement legally binding?

Yes between the roommates. It's enforceable in small claims court. However, it does not bind the landlord — the lease always takes precedence.

Set clear expectations between roommates on rent, chores, quiet hours, guests, and shared expenses. Prevents small issues from becoming big problems. Not a lease replacement — it's a written agreement between roommates.

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1Property

Shared property address *

Agreement start date *

Total monthly rent ($) *

2Roommate 1 (You)

Full name *

Rent share ($/mo) *

Room/area assigned

3Roommate 2

Full name *

Rent share ($/mo) *

Room/area assigned

4Shared Expenses

How utilities and shared costs are divided.

Split method

Utilities covered

Groceries & household supplies

5House Rules

Quiet hours start

Quiet hours end

Overnight guests allowed (with courtesy notice)

Smoking allowed inside

Pets allowed

Chore arrangement

6Ending the Arrangement

Notice period to end roommate agreement

Finding a replacement roommate

Not a lease. This Roommate Agreement is between the roommates only — it does not replace or override the lease with the landlord. The landlord's rules always take precedence. This agreement is enforceable between roommates in civil court but not by the landlord.

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About Roommate Agreements

A roommate agreement is a written contract between roommates that clarifies household responsibilities, shared expenses, and house rules. Unlike a lease (which is between the landlord and tenants), a roommate agreement governs how roommates interact with each other.

Why bother writing one?

Prevents arguments — unclear expectations cause 90% of roommate fights
Creates accountability — written rules are harder to ignore than verbal ones
Protects financially — clarifies who pays what, and what happens if someone leaves early
Handles the awkward stuff — guest policies, quiet hours, pet rules written down means no uncomfortable conversations

What to include

Rent split — who pays how much, and when
Utility split — electricity, gas, internet, water
Room assignments — which bedroom belongs to whom
Shared spaces — kitchen, bathroom, living room expectations
House rules — guests, quiet hours, cleanliness
Exit clause — notice period and finding a replacement

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a roommate agreement legally binding?

Yes — between the roommates. It's a contract enforceable in small claims court. However, it does not bind the landlord; the lease always takes precedence over the roommate agreement.

Do we need to give the landlord a copy?

Not required, but recommended. It helps if the landlord ever needs to resolve roommate disputes (e.g., one roommate not paying their share).

What if one roommate breaks the agreement?

The other roommate can sue in small claims court for financial damages (unpaid rent, utility shares). Non-financial violations (noise, guests) typically result in the aggrieved roommate invoking the exit clause.

What if we have 3+ roommates?

Modify this template to add Roommate 3 and 4 sections. All roommates sign the same document. Download the PDF, add the extra sections, and all sign.