Roommate agreements are important. Here are some things to consider when making yours.
Finding the perfect place for you and your pals can be exciting! What isn’t exciting is when they eat your food and don’t pay rent on time. Having a roommate agreement can both set boundaries between roommates as well as hold each other accountable. A roommate agreement is a written contract between you and your roommates defining the rules of your apartment, bill breakdowns, and more. Whether or not the agreement is legally binding, it can help make sure that you avoid conflict with your roommates. Each roommate agreement can be tailored to fit your needs but here are some of the essentials for creating yours!
Free Roommate Agreement Template
A Detailed Plan of Bill Breakdowns
This is the most important part of your roommate agreement. This section will outline who pays what, when and how. This can be applied to rent, groceries, bills, security deposits and other expenses you may experience as a household. Are you going to split bills 50/50? Is one person going to pay one month and then swap the next? Are you going to use a money sending system or pay individually? It’s important to detail this as much as you can to avoid confusion and conflict between roommates later.
Rules for Pets
It’s important to find out right away if your roommates either have pets or are going to get one in the future. Some questions to put in the roommate agreement include: What kind of pet is it? Does the apartment allow pets and if so what type and size requirements? Is anyone in the household allergic to certain animals? Are there any breed restrictions? What are the pet fees and who is responsible for paying them? If a roommate plans to get a pet, how much of a notice needs to be provided to the household? These are just a few of the questions and if you have more, make sure to include them in your contract.
Guests and Significant Others
Some guests have a habit of overstaying their welcome. Setting up some rules for who is allowed in the apartment and when, can help save you from some awkward encounters later and may even prevent a stranger from eating your food. Think of what boundaries you want to set up when it comes to guests and tailor your roommate agreement accordingly.
Private Time/Quiet Hours
We all need some quiet time where we can collect our thoughts and relax. Having a roommate playing drums at 3AM may not be ideal for your sleep schedule. Setting up quiet hours can help create respectful boundaries between you and your roommate(s). Figure out when your quiet hours are and stick to them! You can also add your own “do not disturb” hours to take a nap, read a book, or just have some alone time.
Cleaning Schedule
Cleaning up after your roommates 3-day old dishes is neither fun nor fair. To avoid such a scenario, a cleaning schedule is crucial. It’s important to note which roommate is responsible for cleaning what and how often. Do they need to provide the cleaning supplies? What happens if they don’t do it? One method is by hanging a magnetic calendar on your fridge and write down on which day the cleaning needs to be done, by who, and what the cleaning task is. The cleaning situation is completely different for everyone, so figure out what works for you and make sure to do your part and hold each other accountable based on the agreement.
Conflict Resolution
Arguments do come up, but it’s important to find a safe and effective way to settle disputes. In your Roommate Agreement, mark down how everyone prefers to communicate, whether it be via text or through a roommate meeting. Make sure to detail how you will handle situations and communicate anything that wasn’t listed in your agreement.
It is important to note that a Roommate Agreement does not supersede the lease or any other agreement that tenants may have with the landlord. The landlord is not bound by the Agreement and is not obligated to enforce its terms.
Coming up with a roommate agreement can be tricky but it will help set boundaries and rules for everyone. Work through it together so everyone is on the same page! Need help getting started? Download and use our free fillable Roommate Agreement Template below!
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