Create a list of house rules with your roommates and agree on how you'll handle monthly rent payments. Decide how you'll be sharing food, utility, and furniture costs, and try to balance out how much each roommate spends. Use digital payment apps for splitting expenses or set up a shared bank account.
When you sign a joint lease, you and your roommates' names are on the same lease. Usually, your rent payments are combined, but you should ask your landlord how they prefer to receive payments. To decide if co-signing a lease is right for you, consider the benefits and drawbacks that may apply.
What do I include in a Roommate Agreement? Information about the property, roommates, and original lease. Term or length of the agreement. Rent responsibilities. Security deposit details. Responsibilities for utilities and household costs. House rules, roommate duties, and restrictions. Rules for termination of tenancy.
How to write a roommate agreement Names of both tenants. The property address. The dates the lease begins and ends. The amount of rent each person pays. Who pays for utilities. Who pays the security deposit. Which bedroom each person occupies. Who buys food, or if you're each buying your own food.