How to Write a Free Printable Lease Agreement for Roommates

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Begin the free printable lease agreement by stating the date and who the agreement is between. Also state that you are to be roommates, so that there is no confusion to a third party thinking it is a landlord - tenant situation. Example:

This lease, between _____, from hereon known as Tenant 1, and _____, from hereon known as Tenant 2, is dated _____.
Step 2

Label section 1. Put the rental property location here. Be very detailed with this section; include the address, what type of home it is and if there is a garage or any other attachment you are being given use of. Also state who has use of what rooms. Example:

1. Property Location
The rental property being shared between Tenant 1 and Tenant 2 is a house located at _____. Tenant 1 is to have use of a single bedroom upstairs and to have access to all common areas of the home. Tenant 2 is to have use of a single bedroom downstairs and to have access to all common areas of the home.
Step 3

Section 2 should deal with how long you plan to be roommates. This has nothing to do with the entire length of the lease you signed, unless the landlord has specified both people must live there for the entirety. If you only plan to have a roommate for a short time, this is where you should say so. Example:

2. Length of Lease Agreement
Tenant 1 and Tenant 2 have agreed to lease the home from (date of moving in) and will continue on a 6 month basis until proper notice is given.
Step 4

Section 3 will handle any rules the roommates have for visitors. You will use subsections to note these rules if you have more than one. Example:

3. Use and Occupancy
A. The only people living in the premises will be Tenant 1 and Tenant 2.
B. Guests will be allowed only so long as both tenants agree to the time and length of stay.
Step 5

Make section 4 deal with rent. Example:

4. Rent
A. The total rent for the property is _____.
B. Tenant 1 will be responsible for half of the total rent, equaling ____.
C. Tenant 2 will be responsible for half of the total rent, equaling ____.
D. Tenant 1 will be entrusted to collect half the rent from Tenant 2 and will write a check for the total of the rent to the landlord of the premises.
E. A receipt will be given for each month when Tenant 1 collects rent from Tenant 2.
Step 6

Label section 5. Utilities and other monthly bills that are made by the home will be given here. Be sure to say who is paying what or if everything is 50/50. Example:

5. Utilities and Services
A. Tenant 1 will be solely responsible for the following services: Sewer bill
B. Tenant 2 will be solely responsible for the following services: Landline phone bill
C. Tenant 1 and Tenant 2 will be jointly, 50/50 responsible for the following utilities and services:
1) electricity
2) gas
3) cable/internet
4) garbage
D. If by the negligence of Tenant 1 the utilities or service fees dramatically increase, Tenant 1 will be responsible for any overages.
E. If by the negligence of Tenant 2 the utilities of service fees dramatically increase, Tenant 2 will be responsible for any overages.
F. Tenant 1 will collect all payments from Tenant 2 and write checks to the proper companies of each bill.
G. A receipt will be given to Tenant 2 each time Tenant 1 collects money for bills and services.
Step 7

Section 6 will handle any appliances shared between the roommates. This is especially important if one roommate has provided a significant portion of kitchen or laundry room equipment. Example:

6. Appliances
A. The premises has come equipped with the following appliances: refrigerator, stove, cabinet mounted microwave.
1) Tenant 1 and Tenant 2 will keep all appliances provided by the landlord in good, working order and shall report any malfunctions or damages to the landlord.
2) Tenant 1 and Tenant 2 agree that the above listed items are the property of the landlord and will remain on the premises when the lease agreement term ends.
3) If any of the above listed items disappear Tenant 1 and Tenant 2 will be jointly, 50/50, responsible for paying the landlord the cost of the item.
B. Tenant 1 agrees to provide the following appliances: Washing machine and dryer.
1) Tenant 2 is allowed use of these items.
2) Tenant 2 will keep the appliances in good, working order and shall report any malfunctions to Tenant 1.
3) If it is by Tenant 2’s neglect the item is damaged, Tenant 2 will be responsible for costs to repair the appliance.
4) Tenant 1 is, in no way, required to keep these appliances working as long as no hazard is caused by the appliances being non-functioning.
Step 8

Mark section 7. This will deal with privacy and cleanliness. This section may seem unnecessary but if you and your roommate ever have a falling out it can be one of the most important parts. Example:

7. Upkeep and Privacy
A. Common rooms will include: bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, living room, dining area, hallways and stairways.
1) Tenant 1 and Tenant 2 will each be responsible for cleaning after themselves in these areas.
2) Cleaning of common areas may be split jointly, 50/50, by a chore wheel if necessary.
B. Tenant 1’s personal bedroom will be off-limits to Tenant 2 and any guests of Tenant 2 unless permission is expressly granted.
C. Tenant 2’s personal bedroom will be off-limits to Tenant 1 and any guests of Tenant 1 unless permission is expressly granted.
Step 9

Section 8 should detail the condition of the property. This is an optional section and only necessary if one roommate is moving in after the first roommate has been in the rental property for a time beforehand. Use blank lines and fill in any damages you find.
Step 10

Section 9 should state whether pets are allowed or not. If specific pets are allowed and others are not be detailed. This should not be at odds with the landlord’s original lease agreement.
Step 11

Label section 10. This should talk about how to end the roommate agreement. This is only if the landlord has not specified that both tenants must live on the property together for the entirety of the lease. Example:

10. Ending the Leasing Contract
A. Either Tenant 1 or Tenant 2 may end the terms of this agreement by giving 30 day’s prior written notice of intent to move from the home.
B. Upon giving written notice the Tenant will be expected to move by the date given or pay for an extra month’s rent for overstaying.
C. The Landlord may, at his own discretion, keep a Tenant from moving out, unless living conditions have become truly and legally impossible to live with.
Step 12

To finish writing a free lease agreement, make a broad statement about how both tenants read and understood and agree to abide by the terms. Example:

Tenant 1 and Tenant 2, by signing this agreement, agree that they have read and fully understand all of the above conditions. Tenant 1 and Tenant 2 also agree to abide by the above conditions as well as any original conditions set forth in the Landlord’s rental lease. It is recognized that no rules set forth in this agreement will counteract or interfere with the Landlord’s lease; any that do will be disregarded and the Landlord’s lease will be taken as the final word.
Step 13

Sign and date your free printable lease agreement and it becomes a binding contract. All roommates should keep a signed copy of this in a safe place.

Comments

MissAudrey said

on 8/24/2009 As a Landlord, I must say Bravo! If more roommates set ground rules in the beginning (and in writing) it would make everyone's lives easier!5+*

on 7/28/2009 VERY VERY nice.. although if possible try to make tenants pay directly to landlord bypassing collection process. Learned the hard way :) This article is VERY important and you covered it very well 10 star!