Roommate Agreement Checklist

Roommate Agreement Checklist

Paying the Rent

• Whose name will be on the lease (or will all tenants)?
• What bills are not covered by the rent payment (the gas bill, electricity bill, water bill, garbage bill, telephone, recycling, cable, and internet accounts)?
• Whose name will be on the gas bill, electricity bill, water bill, garbage bill, telephone, recycling, cable, and internet accounts? How do other roommates pay costs?
• How financially stable are you? What are your income sources or other debts?
• How will bill payments be arranged for the deposit, rent utilities and other expenses?
• How will food and other disposable items (such as cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.) be shared/paid for?
• If you rent a 3br./2bth. apartment, who gets the big bedroom?  Who shares the bathroom?  Do all roommates have the same costs?
• Who will occupy which areas of the apartment?
• How long will each individual remain a resident of the unit? Going on an internship? Study abroad? Does your roommate graduate next year? What are your plans?
• Does anyone plan to sublet? When?
• What furniture do you have?
• How will disputes be resolved?
• What methods of communication do you prefer?

Apartment Living

• Do you and your roommates have the same idea of your relationship – are you looking for a best friend, someone with whom to do things on weekends, or just a roommate?
• What kinds of leisure activities might you want to do in the apartment?
• Is it ok to leave your books/projects laid out in the shared areas?
• What are your feelings about the use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs?
• What kinds of guidelines should we have for guests and/or significant others?
• Which bathroom do guests use?
• How will we arrange/organize cleaning responsibilities? How often? How about cooking?
• What items, electronic equipment and appliances can be shared? What cannot?
• Have you discussed whether roommates may/may not keep firearms, bows, hunting or combat knives, machetes or other weapons in the residence? If so, how will the weapons be stored?
• How many computers will we have? How do we determine internet usage?
• What kind of limits are there regarding downloading academic programs, music, movies, etc.? What is your typical daily schedule (work, study, sleep, eat)?
• What kind of music and television do you enjoy?
• Does everybody take their shoes/boots off at the door during snow season?
• Will we have any pets? Who will take care of it?
• Will there be special rules regarding mid-term or final exam periods?

Abandonded Property

• If a roommate vacates the premises, is no longer a tenant and fails to remove his property; is the property considered abandoned for the remaining roommates? Can the remaining tenants sell or use the abandoned property any way they wish?