Updated: June 2025
Reviewed by the LegalFormSign editorial team
🎉 You finally found the perfect roommate? Congrats! Before celebrating with pizza 🍕 and Netflix, set up a roommate agreement—your secret weapon for a smooth, drama-free shared life. It saves friendships, money, and your sanity (yes, even Sheldon Cooper would approve 🛋️).
Download your free roommate agreement template (PDF)
📝 What Is a Roommate Agreement?
A roommate agreement is a contract between tenants only, not the landlord. It outlines responsibilities, finances, chores, “dibs” rules, guest policies, and more. Courts generally enforce financial terms, making it a practical tool to avoid disputes.
Classic roommate moment:
“No, that’s where I sit… I’ve placed it in a state of eternal dibs. Cathedra mea, regulae meae.”
— Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory
🤝 Why Create One?
- Avoid drama: prevent fights over chores or rent.
- Clarity: everything’s spelled out—no “I thought…”
- Resolve conflicts: you have a written reference.
- Fairness: rent, chores, pets, parking all detailed.
⏰ When Should You Create It?
- Before signing the lease—great compatibility check.
- Or ASAP if you already live together.
- If your roommate resists, remind them it protects everyone’s deposit.
📋 What to Include
- Names & rooms: assign who sleeps where.
- Rent & deposit: define shares and payment timelines.
- Bills: utilities, internet, streaming—who pays what?
- Chores: set a schedule for cleaning tasks.
- Food: shared or separate, with zones or labels.
- Guests & parties: advance notice & overnight rules.
- Quiet hours: times to ensure rest and focus.
- Pets: include type, care rules, fees.
- Parking/storage: designate spaces.
- Move-out protocol: notice period & replacing protocols.
- Dispute resolution: define how disagreements will be handled.
🔎 Overview of a Roommate Agreement Template
| Section | Details to Include |
|---|---|
| Names & Bedrooms | Full names of all roommates and room assignment (who sleeps where) |
| Rent & Deposit | Share for each (amount, due date, payment method), deposit split, return terms |
| Utilities & Bills | Who pays what, schedule for each bill, how amounts are split |
| Chores & Cleaning | Detailed cleaning schedule (kitchen, bathroom, shared areas), rotation system |
| Food & Kitchen Use | Personal vs shared food, fridge/cabinet organization, rules for communal items |
| Guests & Parties | Notice required, overnight guest rules, frequency/limits for gatherings |
| Quiet Hours | Times when noise must be kept low, exceptions for special events |
| Pets | Allowed species/breeds, owner responsibilities, cleaning expectations |
| Parking & Storage | Allocation of parking spots and storage spaces |
| Move-Out Protocol | Notice period, process for finding a replacement, division of last bills |
| Dispute Resolution | Method for resolving disagreements (vote, mediation, etc.) |
| Signatures | All roommates sign and date for agreement validity |
“Roommates agree that Friday nights shall be reserved for watching Joss Whedon’s brilliant new series Firefly… Initial here.”
— Sheldon, The Big Bang Theory
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a roommate agreement legally binding?
Yes for financial terms—courts enforce rent, utilities and deposit clauses. Behavioral rules (chores, noise) typically aren’t enforceable.
2. Involve the landlord?
No—this is a peer-to-peer agreement. The landlord isn’t bound.
3. Can I use it in student housing?
Absolutely—especially helpful in dorms or shared student rentals.
4. What if a roommate refuses?
Explain it protects everyone’s interests; refusal may signal future issues.
5. What about subletting or Airbnb?
Include permissions, but always check lease and landlord rules first.
📚 External Resources
- LegalZoom – Writing a Roommate Agreement
- RentCafe – The Roommate Agreement: Why You Need One & How to Write It
✅ Conclusion: Get Your Free Template & Live Drama-Free!
With a clear, signed roommate agreement, you’ll avoid conflicts, protect your finances—and maybe enjoy coliving! 🥳
Get your roommate agreement (free PDF)
Reviewed by the LegalFormSign editorial team — Last updated June 2025
