ROOMMATE AGREEMENT TEMPLATE (FREE)
A Roommate Agreement is a contract between a renter and someone with the right to reside in a residential unit (a lease holding tenant or unit owner). It serves as clear evidence of agreed-upon house rules and financial terms. This resource provides the immediate tools to create a comprehensive agreement.
COMMUNITY-INFORMED BY 149K RENTERS + HOUSING PROVIDERS
01 // Context: Why Use a Roommate Agreement?
In Ontario’s housing crisis, thousands of residents live in a "legal void": arrangements where the Residential Tenancies Act does not apply. Learn More: [ Tribunals Ontario - Guide to the RTA ↗]
We developed this framework to bridge that gap.
By formalizing your house rules, you aren't just "splitting rent"; you are actively contributing to rent stabilization and preventing the displacement that fuels housing instability in our region.
02 // Legal: Uses and Limits of Roommate Agreements
Most roommates living with a leaseholder are considered occupants.
Without security of tenure through the RTA, a written agreement is your only defense for establishing notice periods, financial obligations, and personal boundaries.
Note that it cannot replace someone’s rights under the RTA or the Ontario Human Rights Code.
This template is specifically designed for:
AKA Occupants/Paying Guest. A renter is moving into a room in a unit being offered by a Tenant who has a lease with the landlord. The renter will not be added to this lease.
A renter will share a kitchen or bathroom with the property owner or their immediate family.
Sublet or Roommate Agreement?: In Ontario, a Sublet is a specific legal process where a leaseholder moves out temporarily and a new person moves in. Unlike an off-lease roommate, a sublet requires landlord consent and has protections/responsibilities under the RTA. If the leaseholder still lives there, it is not a sublet. View our [ Sublet Guide + Template ↗]
03 // Build Accountability: Create Standards for Financial & Social Responsibilies
Leaseholding tenants bear 100% of the liability to the landlord for damages or unpaid rent, and off-lease roommates face the constant unease of displacement. A Roommate Agreement replaces "guesswork" with Mutual Respect:
Eliminate friction by establishing a shared understanding of how your home actually functions.
Clearly define rent, utility splitting, and deposit terms to ensure everyone’s budget is protected.
Without the LTB, a signed, detailed agreement is your primary evidence for Small Claims Court.
04 // Get the Template: Built and Reviewed Against Real Roommate Conflicts
This is not generic advice. We continue to revise this template to reflect the real-world experiences of our 149k+ community of renters and landlords. We’ve captured the "I wish I’d thought of that" moments so you can build a stable home from day one.
*Informational purposes only. Not legal advice.
IN THE TEMPLATEWe include as many considerations as we encounter to give you options based on your situation. Add or remove sections as needed. At a base level you should keep:
- Rent: Deposit handling, lease duration, payment dates, payment method
- Terms: Termination, notice periods, conflict resolution
- Boundaries: Guests, noise, kitchen rules, allergens, substance use
- Maintenance: Cleaning, utility & resource splitting
