Free Individuals & Personal generator
Roommate Agreement
A house-rules-plus-money contract between roommates: who pays what share of rent and bills, how the deposit comes back, chores, guests, and how someone moves out.
What is a Roommate Agreement?
A Roommate Agreement is a house-rules-plus-money contract between roommates: who pays what share of rent and bills, how the deposit comes back, chores, guests, and how someone moves out.
Built for friends, partners, or strangers from an app sharing a rental who want the money and living rules clear so a shared apartment doesn't blow up a friendship.
Roommate Agreement template, current for 2026
Handles uneven rent splits by room and shared-app bill splitting (a Splitwise-style ledger). It sets a clear deposit-return waterfall, a current move-out and replacement-roommate process, and quiet-hours and remote-work rules, and it states explicitly that the contract is between the roommates and the landlord is not a party.
How HDAi does this differently
Unlike a static form, HDAi runs a guided interview and assembles your Roommate Agreement as you answer. When you want it finished, a licensed Hart David Carson attorney reviews it and tailors it to your facts before you sign. The interview and the first draft are automated. The judgment belongs to an attorney.
What you’ll be asked
A short interview in plain language that asks only what this document needs.
- What is the effective date of this Roommate Agreement? The date the roommates sign and this agreement takes effect. We date the contract so everyone knows when the rules and money obligations begin.
- Which U.S. state governs this agreement (usually where the home is located)? Roommate and landlord-tenant rules vary by state. We use the state where the residence sits to set governing law and align with local security-deposit and notice rules.
- What is the full street address of the shared residence? Identifies exactly which home this agreement covers, including unit number, so the shared and private spaces are unambiguous.
- What type of dwelling is it? The dwelling type frames how shared common areas and private rooms are described and any HOA/building rules that apply.
- List every roommate who is a party to this agreement (full legal name and contact info). Everyone bound by the money and house-rules terms. Naming each roommate makes the payment shares, deposit rights, and move-out duties enforceable against the right people.
- How do the roommates relate to the master lease or property? This drives who owes the landlord, who controls the master deposit, and how sublease-style protections are written. It is the single most important structural choice.
- Which roommate is the primary leaseholder or owner? When one person holds the lease or title, the others' rights to occupy flow through that person, so we name them for the occupancy and deposit terms.
- What is the landlord's or property manager's name? Identifies who the master lease is with so rent-forwarding and deposit obligations trace to the correct party.
- When does the underlying lease term begin? Anchors the occupancy period and helps align this agreement's term with the master lease so nobody is bound past their lease.
- When does the underlying lease term end? Sets the outer boundary of this agreement and the default move-out timing at lease end.
- What is the total monthly rent for the whole residence? The full rent is the base we split into shares. We need it to compute and cross-check each roommate's portion.
- How is rent divided among roommates? Fixing the split method prevents the most common roommate disputes. Unequal splits are enforceable when written down.
- Specify each roommate's rent share (name to amount or percentage, and room assigned). The exact per-person breakdown. Listing it line by line removes ambiguity if the split is unequal or room-based.
- By what day of each month must each roommate pay their share? A clear internal due date lets roommates assemble the full rent before the landlord's deadline and avoid late fees.
- How is each roommate's rent share collected and paid? Determines who bears the risk if someone underpays. Routing through one collector needs extra protection, which we add.
- Which roommate collects and remits the rent? When one person forwards everyone's rent, we name them and add duties to remit promptly and share proof of payment.
- What internal late fee or penalty applies if a roommate pays their share late? (optional) An agreed consequence discourages late payment and fairly allocates any landlord late fee to whoever caused it.
- Which utilities and recurring household bills are shared? Lists every recurring cost to divide so no bill is forgotten and each is assigned a payer and a split.
- How are the shared utilities and bills split? Utilities can follow the rent split or have their own. Choosing here keeps bill-splitting predictable each month.
- For each shared bill, who holds the account and how is it split and reimbursed? Names the account holder for each utility and the reimbursement timing so the person whose name is on the bill isn't left holding it.
- Is there assigned parking or storage, and how is it allocated among roommates? (optional) Parking spots and storage lockers are scarce and cause quiet resentment. Assigning them by roommate and stating any extra cost removes the fight.
- What is the total security deposit held by the landlord (or owner)? (enter 0 if none) The deposit is often the biggest end-of-tenancy dispute. We record the total to govern how it is contributed and returned.
- How much of the deposit did each roommate contribute? Return of the deposit tracks contributions. Recording each person's share prevents fights over who gets what back.
- How should the deposit be returned when the tenancy ends or a roommate leaves? Landlords usually return one deposit at lease end. This rule decides how a mid-lease departer recovers their money without breaking the master deposit.
- How is responsibility for damage and deductions allocated? Deposit deductions and repair costs are a top dispute. Assigning fault-based vs. shared damage upfront settles it in advance.
- Describe each roommate's private bedroom/space and any exclusive-use areas (parking, storage, bathroom). Defines private vs. shared space so entry into another's room and use of parking/storage are clearly bounded.
- How are household chores and cleaning handled? Cleanliness expectations are a leading source of friction. Picking a method makes the standard concrete and enforceable.
- Describe the chore assignments, rotation, or cleaning standard. Spelling out who does what and how often turns vague expectations into a schedule everyone agreed to.
- What quiet hours apply (for noise, music, calls)? (optional) Noise is a common complaint. Agreed quiet hours give a clear, neutral rule to point to.
- What is the overnight-guest policy? Guests and their impact on space, utilities, and safety cause disputes. A clear policy sets expectations before conflict.
- What is the overnight-guest limit before it counts as a long stay? Defines when a frequent guest becomes a de facto occupant, which can trigger consent, cost-sharing, or lease concerns.
- Any specific rule for a romantic partner who stays frequently? (optional) A frequently-staying partner is the classic gray area. Addressing it directly avoids resentment over cost and space.
- What is the smoking/vaping policy in the residence? Smoking affects health, deposit, and lease compliance. A clear rule protects everyone and the deposit.
- What is the policy on cannabis or other substances, consistent with state law and the lease? (optional) Legality and lease terms vary. Stating the house rule keeps everyone aligned and lease-compliant.
- What is the pet policy? Pets touch allergies, damage, deposit, and lease rules. A clear policy assigns responsibility to the pet's owner.
- Describe the current pets and any pet-related cost or damage responsibility. (optional) Naming existing pets and assigning their costs to the owner prevents shared liability for one person's animal.
- How is food and groceries handled? Food-sharing expectations cause daily friction. Setting the model avoids the classic 'who ate my food' dispute.
- Any rules for shared spaces, shared property, or dishes/common items? (optional) Clarifies ownership of shared-looking furniture and use of common items so nothing walks out or gets fought over at move-out.
- How many keys, fobs, or access codes has each roommate been issued? (optional) Recording what access each roommate holds makes the no-copying rule and the return-at-move-out obligation concrete and auditable.
- How much advance written notice must a roommate give before moving out? Advance notice lets the others find a replacement and cover rent. A fixed period is the backbone of an orderly exit.
- When a roommate moves out mid-term, who is responsible for their rent share until a replacement is found? An empty room still owes rent to the landlord. This rule decides who absorbs that cost and is the top mid-lease dispute.
- If the departing roommate keeps paying until a replacement moves in, is there a cap on how long that obligation lasts? (optional) An open-ended 'pay until replaced' duty can run for months. A cap (e.g., two months, or through lease end) bounds the exposure and is fairer.
- How must a replacement roommate be approved? New roommates affect everyone. Setting the approval bar prevents an unwanted person being forced in.
- Can the roommates remove someone who seriously breaches this agreement, and how? This agreement can't override a lease or eviction law, but it can set an internal process and a paper trail. We flag legal limits.
- May a roommate sublet their space or list it on a short-term rental platform (Airbnb, etc.)? One roommate turning their room into a hotel is a serious risk to safety, the lease, and the deposit. An operative rule beats leaving it to free text.
- How should disputes under this agreement be resolved first? A step-up process (talk, then mediate) usually resolves roommate issues cheaply and preserves the living situation.
- If a dispute goes to mediation or court, should the losing side pay the winner's reasonable attorneys' fees? A prevailing-party fees clause discourages bad-faith fights and lets the person who was clearly right recover costs. Some roommates prefer each side bears its own.
- If the roommates use a shared bank account or payment app, how is it funded and closed out when someone leaves or the household ends? (optional) A shared Venmo/Splitwise/bank balance becomes a fight at move-out. Stating the funding rule and the close-out (true-up and refund by contribution) settles it in advance.
- How are jointly bought household items handled if a roommate leaves? (optional) Couch, vacuum, cookware bought together become disputed property at move-out. A rule assigns them cleanly.
- Is each roommate required to carry renter's insurance? Renter's insurance covers each person's belongings and liability. Requiring it protects roommates from bearing another's loss.
- List an emergency contact for each roommate (name, relationship, phone). (optional) If a roommate is hurt, unreachable, or in crisis, the others need someone to call. Collecting this upfront is practical and shows good faith.
- Any additional house rules or special terms? (optional) Captures anything specific to this household that the standard sections don't cover.
- How can this agreement be amended? A clear amendment process keeps the rules stable and prevents 'we changed it verbally' arguments.
Frequently asked
About the Roommate Agreement and how HDAi works.
What is a Roommate Agreement? +
A Roommate Agreement is a house-rules-plus-money contract between roommates: who pays what share of rent and bills, how the deposit comes back, chores, guests, and how someone moves out. Anyone sharing a rental with friends, partners, or strangers from an app uses it to keep the money and living rules clear so a shared apartment doesn't blow up a friendship.
Is HDAi's Roommate Agreement legally binding? +
The Roommate Agreement HDAi generates is a professionally drafted document that becomes binding once it is completed, reviewed, and properly signed. If you want a licensed Hart David Carson attorney to finish it, book a planning call. The firm's flat-fee packages, the Illinois Family Plan and Company Launch, cover the most common needs; for any other draft, an Illinois attorney will tell you on the call what finishing it would involve.
Do I need a lawyer to use this Roommate Agreement? +
You can generate and download the Roommate Agreement in minutes, free of charge. A licensed Hart David Carson attorney can then review it and tailor it to your facts before you sign, which is the part no template can do.
What makes this Roommate Agreement current for 2026? +
Handles uneven rent splits by room and shared-app bill splitting (a Splitwise-style ledger). It sets a clear deposit-return waterfall, a current move-out and replacement-roommate process, and quiet-hours and remote-work rules, and it states explicitly that the contract is between the roommates and the landlord is not a party.
How long does the Roommate Agreement take? +
Estimated time about 27 min (53 questions), depending on how much you already know. The document assembles as you answer. Export it as PDF or Word, or send it to a Hart David Carson attorney for review.
Does this Roommate Agreement work in my state? +
HDAi's interview is state-aware. If you ask an attorney to finish the draft, a licensed Hart David Carson attorney confirms it against your state's requirements before you rely on it. Validity and required formalities vary by state.
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