
Having Roommate Issues? Here's What You Can Do

Get the legal advice you need without the hourly legal fees
Prevent roommate nightmares
Living with a roommate can be a great way to save some cash and split basic household responsibilities. Having a roommate can be fun and cost-effective, especially when you actually like the other person, but it comes with a totally different set of challenges than living with your family or significant other.
Cohabitating with a person you’re not 100% obligated to love or (even like!) means that you won’t always agree on every aspect of sharing a space. If you’re in college, you probably didn’t have a choice in picking who this built-in best friend would be, but you’re still stuck with that person for at least a year.
Different schedules, personalities, hygiene levels and overall lifestyle choices can throw a wrench into even the most perfect roommate pairings. However, putting your expectations for one another in writing can help set some ground rules and prevent roommate nightmares down the road.
Consider a roommate agreement
Your lease might cover what you are both monetarily responsible for, but everything else should be documented too. LegalShield members have access to a Roommate Agreement that will help set some boundaries and preserve your relationship with your roommate.Disagreements are unavoidable, but getting your house rules in writing from the very beginning can ease tension when problems arise. Among the areas the Roommate Agreement covers are:
- Rent obligations
- Splitting utilities
- Use of each other’s belongings
- Use of the apartment
- Visitor policies
- Care and maintenance of the apartment
- Miscellaneous requirements set out by all roommates
Like all of LegalShield's forms, our Roommate Agreement is free to our members.
Get the Answers You Need, When You Need Them
Related articles

Trustor vs. Trustee: The People Who Look After Your Assets
We’ll provide more information about the trustors vs. trustees comparison, what to consider when filling these roles, and how they work together in Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts.

How Does a Springing Power of Attorney Work?
A power of attorney with springing powers is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to act on your behalf only after a specific event occurs.
.jpg)
Can You Set up a Trust Without a Lawyer, and Should You?
There’s no rule that says a lawyer has to set up your Trust for it to be valid. However, Trusts are complex and doing it yourself without a lawyer's help comes with risks.

Certificate of Trust: How it Helps Your Trustees
A Certificate of Trust proves your Trust is real and names who can act for it, while your beneficiaries and assets stay private. It lets your Trustee handle Trust business, like opening accounts or transferring property.

What Is a Limited Power of Attorney?
A limited power of attorney often comes in handy when you need help for a short time or for a single purpose. This legal document can help in situations like when you’re traveling, serving in the military, caring for an aging parent, or sending a child to study abroad.

12 Online Marketplace Scams and How to Avoid Them
We’ll cover some of the most common scams, the red flags that give them away, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you’ve already been caught out.

What Is a Will Executor? Understanding Their Core Duties
An executor is responsible for ensuring your final wishes get carried out, so it’s important that you choose someone who is responsible and can bear the emotional burden.

How to Get an EIN for an Estate, and Why Executors Need One
An employer identification number is a nine-digit number the IRS uses to identify a taxpayer. The estate needs its own, and getting one is usually simpler than it sounds. Learn more about estate EINs.