SHARED RENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ROOMMATES

Written by dan the roommate man


SHARED RESIDENCE AGREEMENTS

A roommate agreement is made by two or more people who are sharing living expenses. All roommates should have a clear understanding about their individual responsibilities for rent and other living expenses. Without a written agreement problems are more likely to arise. Few things could be more uncomfortable than sharing a house with someone with whom you have an ongoing disagreement about financial matters. It is always best to have such understandings in a written agreement.

JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY

Roommates need to be aware of their legal obligations on a lease or mortgage. In nearly every case, a landlord will require each roommate to be ""jointly and severally liable"". This meansrepparttar landlord can look to either roommate forrepparttar 110549 full performance of all obligations. If one roommate fails to pay, having a written agreement is important forrepparttar 110550 paying roommate to be able to make a claim againstrepparttar 110551 non-paying roommate butrepparttar 110552 roommate agreement does not relieve either party fromrepparttar 110553 possibility of having to payrepparttar 110554 full amount of rent.

Below is a sample agreement but you should always consult an attorney before implementing such an agreement. This agreement may not be suitable to your needs.

This agreement is made between

__________________________________________ (landlord) and

___________________________________________ (tenant)

onrepparttar 110555 ____________ day of _______________ 200_.

A monthly rent of ________ will be due onrepparttar 110556 first of each month and payable torepparttar 110557 landlord

MOVING INTO A NEW APARTMENT? KNOW ALL THE COSTS

Written by dan the roommate man


When you move in to a new apartment,repparttar landlord may charge you more thanrepparttar 110548 first month's rent. Before you signrepparttar 110549 lease, make sure you understand exactly what you're going to be charged, and get it in writing.

Security Deposit: This is mini-landlord insurance. The deposit is equivalent to about one to two month's rent and can cover anything from a broken window to stained carpet. Atrepparttar 110550 end of your lease,repparttar 110551 landlord will conduct an inspection and see whether or not he or she needs to use any ofrepparttar 110552 money on anything damaged beyondrepparttar 110553 normal “wear and tear” during your stay. State law may only userepparttar 110554 security deposit for three purposes: unpaid rent, damages and for cleaning stains or any excessively dirty area. The landlord cannot use it to repaintrepparttar 110555 apartment to make it look more inviting forrepparttar 110556 next tenants. (That's illegal).

Cleaning Fee: Since landlords cannot legally use your security deposit for basic cleaning purposes, some of them choose to include a cleaning fee in your lease.

Last Month of Rent: Some landlords ask forrepparttar 110557 last month's rent in advance. This way, if you break your lease without first consulting your landlord, he or she has 30 days to find a new tenant before he or she needs another rent payment. If you're a good tenant, and don't break your lease, then you'll save yourselfrepparttar 110558 trouble of having to worry about getting together your last month of rent. (This can be really helpful when you have to deal with allrepparttar 110559 costs of moving out!) Unlikerepparttar 110560 security deposit, this charge is non-refundable.

Pet Deposit: This, too, is a form of mini-landlord insurance typically running somewhere around $300.00. The pet deposit is used to cover any wear and tear caused by your pets. Some landlords also ask for a 'pet fee' once a month ($20-$50) to coverrepparttar 110561 cost and inconvenience ofrepparttar 110562 lovely pooper-scooping duties. Renter's Insurance: You aren't required to get insurance, but it is HIGHLY recommended. It's incredibly easy for an unusual character to walk throughrepparttar 110563 complex unnoticed. New people are in and out of apartments allrepparttar 110564 time, so you don't haverepparttar 110565 same security that a homeowner does. With that in mind, you ought to invest in Renter's Insurance as protection against theft, water damage and fire.

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