2022 Roommate Statistics^[1]

71.39% of all households are shared living arrangements.
7.24% of all households are non-family shared living arrangements.
60.34% of renters are in a shared living arrangement.
20.16% of renters in a shared living arrangement are non-family.

By State

What Should be Included (8 items)

Rental Application – Before a roommate is considered, it is recommended that a background check be run, employment verified, and an interview is conducted.

1. Monthly Rent

Two smartphones being held with PayPal and Zelle payments.

The roommates should decide who will pay what for rent. This is generally decided by which bedroom each individual will occupy. For example, if a roommate has a bedroom with a balcony, private bathroom, or other features, they may pay more in rent.

Roommate Savings

According to a 2024 study^[2], getting a roommate in New York City can save a tenant an average of 44.4% versus living alone.

2. Communal Expenditures

List of communal expenditures displayed.

Expenses related to the residence, such as utilities, internet, cable, and household supplies, should be agreed upon. If roommates work from home, they may request high-speed internet versus those who only use streaming services.

Importance of a Budget

83% of renters stated that remaining within their budget is a “very or extremely important characteristic” of a residence.^[3] Therefore, agreeing to communal expenses at the start of a roommate arrangement is recommended.

3. Cleaning Rules

Miscellaneous cleaning tools and products.

Rules for cleaning should be established. This can include a cleaning schedule (vacuuming, mopping, etc.) or general rules such as not leaving dishes in the sink, taking out the trash, etc.

Top Disagreement

37% of roommates surveyed mentioned that cleaning habits were the top pet peeve of living with someone else.^[4]

4. Guest Policy

Do not disturb sign placed on bedroom door lever.

If guests can stay overnight, how long they are permitted on the property should be mentioned. It is common for guests, such as partners, to stay in the same bedroom as a roommate for up to 24 to 72 hours without issue.

Guest Recognized as a Tenant

It is common to add a clause stating that if a guest stays on the property long enough, they will be considered a tenant. In such an event, they must pay their share of the rent and communal expenditures.

5. Pets

Image of a dog and cat.

If pets are allowed, the roommate agreement should outline the conditions for having them on the property. If permitted, it should mention the types allowed (cats, dogs, etc.) and any size limitations (e.g., below 20 pounds).

Pet Deposit

Due to the potential for property damage, a pet owner is commonly required to pay an additional deposit.

6. Quiet Times

Traditional wall clock displaying time.

A “quiet time” is commonly when roommates must refrain from activities where higher noise levels occur. This is to allow a peaceful living environment for all individuals residing on the property.

Typical Quiet Hours

It is common for quiet hours to be from 10 PM to 8 AM on nights before a weekday.

7. Conflict Resolution

Pair of arms shaking hands.

For future disagreements, instructions should be outlined to find a common resolution. This can be done by setting up weekly or monthly meetings to ensure the best communication possible to air one another’s grievances before they get out of control.

Clear and Open Communication

Poor communication was the 2nd most popular pet peeve among roommates (12.2%).^[5] Roommates prefer in-person communication (71.5%) as the best method to handle day-to-day conflicts.^[6]

8. Moving Out

Truck with the words "Rent-A-Truck" on side.

Providing sufficient notice for moving out allows the remaining roommates to find someone new to take their place. It is common to require at least 30 days’ notice before a roommate can vacate.

Security Deposit

A security deposit equal to one month’s rent is recommended to ensure a roommate fulfills their obligations under a roommate agreement. Generally, the deposit is refunded within 30 days of moving out.

Sample

Download: PDF, MS Word, ODT

Roommate (Room Rental) Agreement