Free Roommate Agreement Template

A roommate agreement is a written understanding between people who share a rental home. It spells out how rent and bills are divided, sets expectations for cleaning and guests, and lays the groundwork for respectful co-living.

Unlike a lease with a landlord, this agreement is made between roommates. It helps prevent conflicts by ensuring everyone agrees on key terms from the start.

Roommate agreements protect everyone’s peace of mind. Whether you’re moving in with strangers or close friends, it’s important to set expectations early. Many colleges require on-campus students to fill out roommate agreements, and off-campus renters benefit just as much, especially when living with people with different routines or lifestyles.

Document Genius makes it easy to create your agreement. Our guided form helps you cover all the essential details and download a shareable, printable contract in minutes.

Writing a roommate agreement helps avoid confusion down the line. Document Genius walks you through each step with a guided form, so you can easily define everyone’s responsibilities and agree on key house rules.

1. Start with Key Information

Begin by listing the full names of all roommates and the effective date of the agreement. Add the complete property address and include landlord details if the lease is shared.

2. Outline Rent and Utilities

Write down each roommate’s share of the rent and when it’s due. Specify how you’ll divide utility costs and whether any one person is responsible for paying specific bills. Add details on the security deposit, such as how much each roommate pays and how it will be returned.

3. Define Shared Responsibilities

Agree on how to keep common areas clean and who handles what. You can rotate weekly tasks or assign them by area.

Also, outline any household rules for noise, pets, smoking, or alcohol so everyone is on the same page.

4. Set House Rules and Expectations

Address borrowing items, guest policies, parties, and anything else important to your household, like parking or thermostat settings. This section helps prevent future misunderstandings.

5. Plan for Conflicts or Early Move-Outs

How will disputes be handled (e.g., mediation), and what happens if someone moves out early? If a roommate wants to leave, can they sublet or must they find a replacement?

6. Finalize and Sign

Once everything is agreed on, have all roommates sign the document. Save a copy for each person so the terms are easy to reference.