Sample Roommate Contract

This document is designed to provide its users the opportunity to establish some guidelines related to the details of their living arrangements. Users are encouraged to spend quality time discussing each section, being as forthright and honest with their opinions as possible.

This agreement made on ______________________________________________ 20_______is a contract between:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________,

co-tenants at (Address of Unit):

managed by (name of Property Manager): .

I understand that I am entering into a legally binding agreement with my roommates. I also understand that we, as a group, and I, as an individual, are responsible to our landlord, the utility companies, the telephone company and each other.

TERM OR PERIOD OF AGREEMENT

This agreement is to begin on __________________________ for a term lasting from ______________________ to

_______________________________. I fully understand and accept the rules and responsibilities of this agreement.

SECURITY DEPOSIT

This security deposit for the dwelling is $__________________. My share amounts to $___________________. I understand that this amount will be returned to me less the amount deducted by the landlord for unpaid rent, and/or damages. I accept responsibility for damages that I, my guests, family, and pet(s) causes and I will reimburse my roommate(s) for the part of their security deposit withheld for those damages within 30 days of the date of deduction.

RENT

The total rent according to the terms of our lease agreement with our landlord for the dwelling is $________ per month. I agree to pay 1/___ of the monthly rent. This amounts to $_______. The rent will be paid on the day of the month by (designate person) . The designated person will also be responsible for obtaining a receipt from the landlord showing that the rent was received.

The total amount my roommate(s) and I are liable for over the period of the lease is $_______, of which my share is $_______. I understand that we as a group and I as an individual are responsible to our landlord for the total rent for the term of the agreement.

If any of the roommates cannot pay their portion of the rent of the date it is due, the roommate who cannot pay or pays late will be responsible for any late charges accrued and consequences of a contractual landlord’s lien, if exercised by the landlord.

UTILITIES

I agree to pay % of all bills (to include gas, utilities, water, the fixed monthly telephone charge, cable, deposits and/or hook-up charges for all utilities).

I accept responsibility for prompt payment of my portion of the bills, including any long distance calls and taxes, within 10 days of receiving the bill. Each roommate is also responsible for the long distance calls placed by their friends or relatives.

The utility bills will be paid by (designate person) by the due date on each bill.

I agree to pay as follows for any additional utilities:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

MOVING OUT

If, for whatever reason, I move out of the dwelling, I will give the other tenants and the landlord 30 days written notice. I will pay my rent before I leave for the entire 30-day period, even if I leave sooner. The exception will be if a new roommate moves in before the 30-day period is up.

I realize it is primarily my responsibility to find a replacement. I agree to look for a replacement roommate that is acceptable to my present roommates and landlord. If one of my roommates moves out, I will also attempt to find a replacement roommate. I understand the need to be reasonable in accepting a replacement roommate.

If a new roommate moves in, all roommates and the landlord must approve, and the new roommate must sign his/her name to this contract. The new roommate is obligated to pay a deposit equal to the amount described above in the “Security Deposit” section within 5 days of moving in. If possible, this amount will be paid to me prior to my leaving; however, I agree to give my remaining roommates a forwarding address, in writing, for purposes of security deposit disposition.

If I move out of the dwelling and a replacement roommate has not been found, I realize that I am still legally responsible to my roommates for paying my share of the rent and utility bills. A 30-day notice will not automatically release me from my legal responsibilities to the landlord or to my other roommates.

I understand that I, as an individual, can be held responsible to my landlord and/or the utility companies for up to the entire rent and/or utility bills, if my roommate(s) fail to fulfill their part of this agreement.

MEDIATION

If any of the roommates breaches this contract, all roommates agree to first try to resolve the dispute through mediation. A neutral third party will be mutually agreed upon to act as mediator. If this is unsuccessful, or not possible, then the roommate(s) have the option to pursue legal action.

If, at the end of the lease period, the roommates do not wish to continue to live together but both/all wish to remain in the above named residence, a neutral third party will be mutually agreed upon to draw the name of the roommate who will retain the right of sole occupancy. If no agreement can be reached, the landlord or an agent shall serve in this capacity and draw in the presence of both/all parties. The person(s) who lose(s) will vacate the dwelling within 30 days of the decision.

I agree to the following arrangements regarding:

FOOD/SHOPPING:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CLEANLINESS/CLEANING RESPONSIBLITIES:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

PRIVACY:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

SHARING OF PERSONAL ITEMS:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

NOISE/STUDY TIMES:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

SMOKING, DRINKING, DRUGS:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

PARTIES/ENTERTAINING:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

OVERNIGHT GUESTS:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

PETS:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL REMARKS:

(Attach additional sheets if necessary to address other issues such as security, furniture, appliances): _____________________________________________________________________________________________

As party of this agreement I realize that I, as well as each of my roommates, have equal rights to the use of the space and facilities in the dwelling with the exception of the areas we have designated as each one's private space. This agreement is intended to promote harmony between roommates by clarifying the expectations and responsibilities of roommates to each other’s.

All obligations under this contract are to be performed in _______________________________________________,

_______________________________________ County, _____________________________________(State).

ANY OF THESE PROVISIONS MAY BE CHANGED BY WRITTEN MUTUAL CONSENT. THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE ATTACHED TO ALL ROOMMATE’S COPIES OF THE LEASE CONTACT. PROVISIONS MAY BE OMITTED BY MARKING OUT AND INITIALING BY ALL ROOMMATES. THIS IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ROOMMATES AND DOES NOT AFFECT THE LANDLORD’S RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES UNDER THE LEASE.

To be effective, it is not necessary to witness or notarize this agreement. Each roommate should sign below and receive an original copy.

The parties have executed this agreement on (date) ____________________________________________, 20____.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Roommate 1 signature & date

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Roommate 2 signature & date

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Roommate 3 signature & date

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Roommate 4 signature & date

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Roommate 5 signature & date