Free Roommate Agreement / Flatmate Agreement in UK

Room Rental Agreements help prevent legal disputes when renting out a room within a property.

To ensure you're legally protected, use our free template and guidance to create a comprehensive agreement.

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Last Update 30 January 2025

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Table of Contents:

What is a Roommate Agreement?
Roommate Agreement template example
How to write a Roommate Agreement
Roommate Agreement related documents
FAQs about Roommate Agreement

What is a Roommate Agreement?

A Room Rental Agreement in the UK is a legal contract used when subletting a room within a rental property. This agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities between the main tenant (referred to as the "tenant") and the individual renting the room (the "subtenant").

Importantly, it requires the landlord's approval before it can be enforced.

Unlike a full sublease of the entire property, which would require a different legal document, such as a Sublease Agreement, a Room Rental Agreement is specifically designed for situations where only part of the rental unit is being sublet.

This type of agreement is crucial for establishing clear terms on key issues, such as:

Rent and other costs
Responsibility for damages
Maintenance duties
Any additional rules or conditions agreed upon by both parties

By setting out these terms in writing, a Room Rental Agreement helps protect both tenants and subtenants in the event of disputes or misunderstandings.

Roommate Agreement template example

For your reference, we have provided a sample Room Rental Agreement template. You can use this example alongside the Room Rental Agreement template to help you create your own document.

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How to write a Roommate Agreement

A well-structured Roommate Agreement Contract should cover all essential aspects of shared living arrangements.

Compete the following steps to create your own form:

Rent and bills: Specify how rent and utility bills will be divided among roommates, when payments are due, and the method of payment.
Household responsibilities: Outline each roommate's duties for cleaning, taking out rubbish, and maintaining shared spaces such as the kitchen and bathroom.
Shared expenses: List any shared costs, such as cleaning supplies or household items, and how these will be split or reimbursed.
Guests and visitors: Set rules regarding guests, including how long they can stay, whether overnight guests are allowed, and any limits on frequency.
Quiet hours and noise levels: Agree on designated quiet hours to ensure everyone has time for rest or study without disruption.
Conflict resolution: Include a process for resolving disagreements, whether through discussion or seeking mediation if necessary.
Signatures: Both tenant and subtenant must sign the document to be legally enforceable.

Each section should be clearly written and agreed upon by all roommates before signing the document.

FAQs about Roommate Agreement

Before drafting your own Room Rental Agreement, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of how these contracts work. To assist with any uncertainties, we have compiled a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Should I notarize my Roommate Agreement?

No, in the UK, you do not need to notarise a Roommate Agreement form for it to be legally binding.

As long as the agreement is properly drafted and signed by all parties involved, it can be upheld in court if necessary. However, if you want an extra layer of security, you may choose to have witnesses present when signing, although this is not required either.

Is a Roommate Agreement legally binding?

Yes, a Room Rental Agreement form can be legally binding in the UK, provided it meets the requirements of a valid contract. This includes clear terms, mutual agreement, and an intention to create legal relations.

While financial obligations, such as rent payments, are enforceable in court, non-financial clauses (e.g., cleaning duties or noise levels) may be harder to uphold. However, having a well-drafted agreement can help prevent disputes and provide legal recourse for financial breaches.

You are only a few steps away from your own Roommate Agreement!

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Preview of your Roommate Agreement

Flatmate Agreement

This Flatmate Agreement (referred to as the "Agreement") is entered into on the __________________ (referred to as the "Effective Date") by and between the undersigned individuals (referred to collectively as the "Flatmates" and individually as a "Flatmate") for the following property:

_________ (the "Premises").

Flatmate 1: _________

Flatmate 2: _________

EXISTING TENANCY AGREEMENT

1) The Flatmates hereby acknowledge that a separate tenancy agreement has been signed by at least one or more Flatmates with the Landlord, _________, which started on _________ and finishes on _________ (the "Tenancy Agreement").

2) This Agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities that the Flatmates have in relation to each other. It is important to note that these provisions do not supersede or negate the rights and responsibilities set forth in the existing Tenancy Agreement, if applicable.

3) Except for the provisions specified in this Agreement, the Flatmates hold joint and several liability for fulfilling all tenant duties and obligations as outlined in the existing Tenancy Agreement, if applicable.

TERM

4) The term of this Agreement shall align with the term specified in the existing Tenancy Agreement, if applicable.

RENT

5) The Flatmates shall pay the rent as specified in the existing Tenancy Agreement, if applicable, referred to as the "Rent."

6) In accordance with what has been agreed by the Flatmates, if any Flatmate's act or failure to act results in late fees or costs for failing to pay the Rent, including collection costs, the Flatmates who paid late or did not pay the Rent will be held jointly and severally responsible for reimbursing the other Flatmates who paid on time for all costs and fees.

DAMAGE DEPOSIT

7) The damage deposit will be paid as described in the existing Tenancy Agreement, if applicable.

HOUSE RULES

8) All Flatmates agree to treat each other reasonably and avoid any behavior, action, or inaction that they know or should reasonably know will disrupt the other Flatmates' peaceful enjoyment. The Flatmates agree to discuss concerns openly and in a timely manner, refraining from emotional outbursts or any unamicable response. If negotiations are necessary, the Flatmates agree to engage in good faith. They also agree to respect each other's property, privacy, and sleep schedules, and to comply with reasonable requests whenever possible.

9) The Flatmates agree to abide by any tenancy agreement terms, rules, and regulations set by the Landlord regarding guests.

10) Any amendment or alteration of the guest policy outlined in this Agreement must be in writing and signed by all Flatmates.

TERMINATION OF TENANCY

11) The termination of a Flatmate's occupancy or tenancy will follow the procedures outlined in the existing Tenancy Agreement, if applicable.

12) If a Flatmate decides to terminate their occupancy or tenancy, they are required to provide notice within the timeframe specified in the existing Tenancy Agreement, if applicable.

13) A Flatmate who intends to terminate their occupancy or tenancy will provide written notice as specified in the existing Tenancy Agreement, if applicable.

14) The Flatmate that is vacating the leased property shall provide a forwarding address in accordance with the existing Tenancy Agreement, if applicable.

We, the undersigned, hereby indicate by our signatures below that:

- we have read this full agreement.
- we understand all it contains.
- we agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.

__________________________
_________

______________
Date