Roommate agreement checklist

A roommate agreement sets out how you and your housemates will share the space and manage responsibilities. It isn't a legal tenancy document but it gives everyone a clear reference point and helps prevent disputes. Use this checklist to make sure yours covers everything it should.

Rent and payments

• Total monthly rent and each person's share clearly stated
• Who is responsible for paying the landlord (one person or each person separately)
• What day rent contributions are due from each roommate
• What happens if one person pays late or can't pay
• How any rent increases will be handled

Utilities and shared expenses

• Which utilities each person is responsible for or how they will be split
• Internet and streaming service costs and how they are divided
• Shared household supplies (cleaning products, toilet paper, etc.) and how these costs are managed
• Process for settling shared expenses (e.g., a shared app or monthly reconciliation)

Shared spaces

• Expectations for cleanliness in the kitchen, bathroom, and common areas
• Cleaning schedule or rotation if agreed
• Rules around dishes, food storage, and use of shared appliances
• Use of shared outdoor spaces if applicable

Guests and visitors

• Rules around overnight guests
• Any restrictions on long-term guests or subletting a room
• Notice expectations for parties or large gatherings

Noise and schedules

• Quiet hours agreed by all roommates
• Expectations around noise during study periods or exams

Moving out

• Notice each roommate must give the others before moving out
• Process for finding a replacement roommate if someone leaves early
• How the security deposit will be divided and returned at the end of the tenancy

Signatures

• All roommates sign and date the agreement
• Everyone keeps a copy