Custom Roommate Agreement and Shared House Manual

What a good one includes

• A detailed breakdown of rent, utilities, and internet allocation, including exact payment due dates and preferred transfer methods.
• A clear guest policy that defines what constitutes an overnight visitor, how many consecutive nights they can stay, and where they can hang out.
• A rotating chore schedule that explicitly defines what "clean" means for shared spaces like the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.
• Established quiet hours for weekdays and weekends to respect varying work schedules, sleep needs, and work-from-home boundaries.
• A system for purchasing and tracking shared household consumables like toilet paper, dish soap, and trash bags to prevent resentment.
• A straightforward dispute resolution and exit strategy process, detailing how roommates should communicate grievances and the notice required before moving out.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Relying on verbal agreements or vague promises like "we will just split everything equally" instead of writing down specific terms.
• Failing to define what is considered shared property versus personal property, leading to accidental use of expensive ingredients or personal items.
• Neglecting to establish a clear policy for what happens if someone wants to break the lease early or find a subletter.
• Waiting until a conflict occurs to draft the rules instead of setting the ground rules on day one of the tenancy.

Frequently asked questions