Roommate Agreement Format
Most roommate fallouts are about money and chores, not personalities. This agreement splits rent, bills, and responsibilities in writing before anyone moves in.
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Sign this before moving in, while everyone is still friendly. Agreements made mid-conflict feel like accusations; agreements made on day one feel like planning. Both roommates should also be named on the actual lease with the landlord if possible, because a roommate agreement governs the relationship between roommates, not the landlord's rights.
Be painfully specific about money. Write the exact split, the payment date, and who physically pays the landlord, since the most common fight is one roommate claiming they transferred their share while the other says it never arrived. Bank transfers with references beat cash for this reason.
A non-obvious tip: include an exit clause covering the departing roommate's share of the deposit. When one roommate leaves mid-lease, the landlord usually does not refund half a deposit, so agree now whether the replacement pays the leaver directly or the deposit is settled at lease end. Also agree what happens to shared purchases like a fridge or washing machine, because dividing a second-hand appliance at move-out is a classic friendship-ender.
Put the agreement somewhere both of you can find it, and revisit it after the first month. Small irritations that seemed trivial on day one, like dishes in the sink or different sleep schedules, become clear patterns within weeks. A calm ten-minute review early on lets you adjust the chore rotation or quiet hours before resentment builds, which is exactly what the agreement is for.
Frequently asked questions
Is a roommate agreement legally binding?
What if my roommate stops paying rent?
How do we handle a roommate moving out early?
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