Roommate Cohabitation
Agreement
Avoid the awkward conversations later. Set clear expectations on rent, utilities, quiet hours, guests, and pets, in writing.
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What's covered
Rent & Utilities
Exact split for rent and utilities per roommate. Proportional sharing, fixed amounts, or custom arrangements.
House Rules
Quiet hours, guest policy, pet policy, and shared space expectations: all documented.
Move-Out Terms
Required notice period and financial responsibility for the departing roommate's share.
Why put it in writing?
Prevents disputes about who pays what and when
Creates a record if someone refuses to pay their share
Protects you if a roommate leaves early without notice
Sets enforceable expectations for shared spaces
What to do with your document
- 1All roommates print and review the agreement together before signing.
- 2Each roommate signs in ink, every party keeps a signed original copy.
- 3Photograph the signed agreement as a backup and share the photo with all parties.
- 4Store your signed copy alongside your primary lease from the landlord.
Frequently asked questions
Is a roommate agreement legally enforceable?▾
Yes, when signed by all parties, it is a binding contract enforceable in small claims court. It documents agreed terms for rent splits, utilities, house rules, and move-out notice, the most common sources of roommate disputes.
Does a roommate agreement replace the primary lease?▾
No. The primary lease with the landlord governs your tenancy. The roommate agreement governs relationships between co-tenants. If all roommates are on the primary lease, all remain jointly liable to the landlord regardless of individual split arrangements in the roommate agreement.
What if a roommate stops paying their share?▾
Your roommate agreement can specify that failure to pay within a set number of days gives remaining roommates the right to issue a formal vacate notice. This does not override the landlord's ability to hold all lease signatories responsible, but it documents the breach and gives you standing to act.
How do we handle one roommate moving out early?▾
Your agreement should specify the required notice period (30 or 60 days) and who is responsible for finding a replacement. The departing roommate remains liable for rent until a replacement is approved by the landlord and takes over the lease.
kweldoc documents are drafting tools, not legal advice. This agreement supplements but does not replace your master lease with your landlord. For binding legal agreements, consult an attorney. kweldoc is not a law firm.