The Michigan Room Rental (Roommate) Agreement Template provides the stage for a successful co-tenant situation. This is done by simply documenting the original terms and conditions each roommate has agreed to.  Having a written agreement has been known to enhance nearly every co-tenant living situation because as life events occur or in the event of unforeseeable circumstances, it is fairly easy to forget what everyone has agreed to some time beforehand. This may cause confusion or contention with is or potentially may be valuable personal relationships. Luckily there is a strong possibility of avoiding any such disagreements regarding the original deal entered by utilizing a lease contract between the roommates.

Notice the actual binding effect of this contract acts upon the roommates and not the landlord. The landlord may consent to allow the main tenant to get roommates but is not necessarily obligated to these parties. This holds the main or principal tenant in a similar situation as a sub-lessor though in this case, he/she will be living on the property and will likely not charge the full amount in rent, the property owner expects for the premises. Many people benefit from entering a roommate situation because it enables one to live in a high-quality residence or neighborhood they may not otherwise be able to afford.

How to Write

Step 1 – The first two paragraphs will require definitions for this agreement. In the first paragraph report the date of this lease, the full name of the Landlord, and the full name of the Tenant. Then in the second paragraph enter the county where the property is located and the street address of the property in the blank spaces provided.

Step 2 – The next item requiring attention will be labeled as “1. Term.” In this item’s section enter the appliances and furniture on the premises in the first blank space provided. Then on the second blank space, enter the calendar day of each month this lease will renew upon successful payment. Finally, in the last blank space available, enter the start date of this lease.

Step 3 – In the second item, “Rent,” there will be several blank spaces available to describe the money the Tenant is responsible to pay the Landlord. On the first two available spaces, enter the monthly rental amount. On the third blank space available, enter the calendar day of each month the rent is due. On the fourth and fifth blank line, enter the monthly rent amount (in words and numerically). Finally, on the last blank line of this section, report the manner in which this rent should be paid (this should include the name of the property manager and his/her address).

Step 4 – In the section labeled “Damage Deposit,” enter the security deposit the Tenant must submit to the Landlord in order to successfully enter this lease and move into the premises.

Step 5 – The next area requiring attention will be a sub-section in “Damage Deposit” labeled “Cleaning Fee.” Here, enter the amount of money a Landlord will expect as a cleaning fee. This will be non-refundable and due upon signing.

Step 6 – In Item 4, describe and report the names of the individuals that will occupy the property with the Tenant.

Step 7 – The next area to require information will be the “Utilities” section. This will define the maximum amount of money the rent will cover utilities for. Below this will be a table of utilities/services that will help define what will be and not be included in this figure. Place a checkmark next to the words “included’ or “not included” to indicate which utilities/services are covered by the rent.

Step 8 – In Item 17, enter the maximum number of animals a Tenant may keep as pets on the property on the first set of blank spaces on the first line. On the second set of blank spaces (beginning on the third line), enter the pet security deposit amount. Finally, on the last blank space of this paragraph enter the non-refundable cleaning fee to be utilized when this lease agreement terminates.

Step 9 – In Item 21, there will be two blank spaces. Each one is next to a dollar sign. Next to the first dollar sign, enter the penalty amount the Tenant must pay for nonpayment of rent. Then on the blank line next to the second dollar symbol, enter the daily fee a Tenant must pay for each day the rent is late.

Step 10 – In the “Notice” section, each party must report where they may be reached in case a notice must be sent or an emergency concerning the property occurs. The first line will be for the Landlord to enter his/her name, address, and phone number. The second line will be for the Tenant to fill out his/her name, address, and phone number.

Step 11 – Item 33 will give the participants of this agreement to include terms and conditions not mentioned in this document. These should be clearly outlined and described on the blank spaces provided.

Step 12 – In the last section, the Landlord must enter the date, sign his/her name, print his/her name, and date the signature in the blank spaces on the first two lines. Next, the Tenant must provide the date, sign his/her name, print his/her name, and report the date of the signature. There will be enough room for two Tenant’s to do this.