In reality, even the most compatible of roommates run into bumps in their living arrangements from time to time. Roommate agreements, signed before you move in together, can help keep your relationship with your roommate relatively harmonious, if not civil.
When you enter into a shared housing relationship, having a set of ground rules can clarify expectations and responsibilities. Each person is aware what is expected of them and what they can expect of their roommate while they live together. As a result, creating and signing a set of housemate rules or a roommate lease agreement together can insure your living arrangement weathers common pitfalls.
Depending upon the content, roommate rental agreements or housemate rules can outline anything from financial responsibilities, division of labor, conflict resolution or conditions for terminating the relationship.
These agreements protect both parties by clearly indicating expectations of your arrangement and consequences for failing to meet your responsibilities to each other. A roommate lease agreement or signed set of housemate rules is a binding document and could be used to help avoid or pursue legal action. In this way, it offers both roommates some form of protection as well as a guideline for living together.
Keep in mind that roommate rental agreements, a roommate lease agreement or even an informal set of housemate rules is entirely separate from any agreement with your landlord or a bank that holds your mortgage. Roommate agreements are contracts between the roommates alone and do not change the conditions of your lease or mortgage. Should one roommate fail to meet the terms set out in the agreement, the other may still be held liable for their financial obligations.
While the roommate lease agreement may provide a means for recouping funds in these situations, choosing a responsible, compatible roommate is the best way to minimize getting into such a situation in the first place.
There are a number of online sources for free roommate agreements or you can draw up one of your own. In either case, there are a few things you’ll need to do to make sure an agreement works for you and your roommate