Put Your Roommate Agreement in Writing Much of your agreement won't be legally binding—for example, a judge likely wouldn't order your roommate to clean the bathroom. Judges will, however, enforce promises regarding financial matters, such as splitting rent and paying utility bills.
It is smart to have a licensed attorney review the agreement to ensure it will hold up in court. Each roommate should sign the agreement and keep a copy for themselves. If an argument develops, each person can refer to the terms in the document to resolve it.
In terms of your legal rights, if you breach the agreement your roommates could sue you, but given the time, headache, expense and the amount involved there is a good chance they won't bother.
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.
If your roommate is on the lease, you both have equal rights to occupy the property under the lease agreement. In this situation, you do not have the authority to evict your roommate. Any disputes or issues would need to be handled through mutual agreement.
The roommate agreement is between roommates and doesn't involve the landlord, while a lease is between one or more roommates and the landlord. Roommate agreements are essential in situations where your roommate decides to move out while the lease is in effect.
By signing the agreement, all roommates ensure that they are legally bound to follow the agreed-upon terms, fostering a harmonious living environment. The Texas Roommate Agreement includes various fields to capture essential information about the living arrangement.
When a tenant has more than one roommate, typically all roommates are listed on a single lease as co-tenants. This means that all roommates are equally responsible for the terms of the lease, including paying rent and following the rules.
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.