College roommate agreement

What is a roommate agreement?

A roommate agreement is a page or two of answers you and your roommate agree on, usually in the first week. It turns the conversation you had before moving in into something you can both look back on when a question comes up, like how late friends can stay or whose turn it is to take out the trash.

Is a roommate agreement legally binding?

A dorm roommate agreement is generally a guideline between roommates, not a legal contract. The University of Iowa describes its roommate agreement as “a guideline for a respectful and fun living environment.” Your housing contract with your school, or your lease if you live off campus, is what sets the legal terms. This template is not legal advice.

Does my college require a roommate agreement?

Some do. The University of North Florida, for example, requires all residential students to have a roommate agreement on file, completed together with their Resident Assistant (RA). At the University of Iowa, roommates fill it out together and review it with their RA. Check your school’s housing site. If it has its own form, use that one, and use this template to prepare.

What should a roommate agreement include?

• Sleep and quiet hours on weeknights and weekends.
• Guests, including overnight guests and how much notice to give.
• Cleaning: who does what, and how often.
• Sharing: food, belongings and shared purchases.
• Studying and noise: when the room is for focus.
• Living environment: temperature, lights and keeping the room locked.
• Communication and conflict: how you will raise problems, and when you will check in.

These follow the topics schools like the University of North Florida include in their own agreements.

How do you write one that actually works?

• Do it in the first week, before small annoyances turn into big ones.
• Be specific. “Quiet after 11 p.m. on weeknights” works. “Be respectful” does not.
• Frame it around what works for both of you, not only your own preferences. The University of Iowa suggests using “I” statements and brainstorming solutions together.
• Check in after a week or two and adjust anything that is not working, as the University of Iowa recommends.

Not sure what to cover? Start with our questions to ask a potential roommate.

Free college roommate agreement template

To print it or save it as a PDF, use your browser’s Print option. Only the template prints.

What if you live off campus?

Add a section on money and the lease: how you split rent if rooms differ, who pays which utilities, who holds the deposit, and what happens if someone moves out early. Unlike a dorm agreement, much of this connects to your lease, so read it and settle these in writing before anyone signs.