Co-Living Agreement & House Rules Presentation

What a good one includes

• A warm opening slide with a lighthearted icebreaker to lower defenses and set a collaborative, non-confrontational tone for the meeting.
• A dedicated slide breaking down utility splits, rent payment deadlines, and the exact process for managing shared household expenses like toilet paper or cleaning supplies.
• A clear chore matrix slide that defines not just who does what, but also the agreed-upon standard of cleanliness for shared spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.
• A visual timeline outlining agreed quiet hours and a simple protocol for overnight guests, parties, and advance notifications.
• A slide outlining a gentle, step-by-step process for addressing grievances directly before they escalate into passive-aggressive behavior.
• A closing slide with QR codes or links to shared digital calendars, expense-tracking apps, and the final signed digital agreement.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Adopting a dictatorial tone rather than presenting the rules as a collaborative, open discussion where everyone has input.
• Leaving chore expectations vague, such as saying 'keep it clean' instead of defining exactly what cleaning the kitchen entails.
• Skipping the guest and partner policy, which is the leading cause of unaddressed roommate resentment over time.
• Neglecting to establish a clear, non-punitive path for amending the rules as the household dynamic evolves throughout the lease.

Frequently asked questions