HomeRocketRent Logo

Rhode Island Roommate Agreement

A Rhode Island roommate agreement is a contract that allows tenants to share a rental dwelling with one or more co-tenants. This agreement establishes rules and outlines the financial responsibilities associated with living together. Roommates are considered co-tenants when they are on the same lease, sharing equal responsibilities to the landlord.

Rhode Island Roommate Agreement

Rhode Island Roommate Agreement

Quick Guide To Writing a Rhode Island Room Rental Agreement

  1. Parties Involved: Specify who is making the agreement, the property address, and the landlord’s information, including current contact details for all signatories.
  2. Lease Term: Note the duration of the existing lease and how long the roommate agreement will last.
  3. Security Deposit: Discuss the security deposit, including how it will be split among roommates and the rules for returning or deducting any portion.
  4. Rent Payment: State the total rent amount and how it will be divided among roommates.
  5. Utility Payments: Determine how utility payments will be split and who is responsible for sending payments to utility companies.
  6. Lease Violations: Set rules for violations of the lease or roommate agreement and outline procedures for when someone needs to move out early.
  7. House Rules: List any house rules regarding food, cleaning, guests, etc.
  8. Bedroom Assignments: Assign bedrooms and decide which areas will or will not be shared.
  9. Signatures: Ensure all parties sign and date the agreement, and attach the completed landlord consent form.

Types of Roommate Arrangements

There are three basic ways the law views roommate situations:

  1. Co-tenancy: All roommates are on the same lease and share equal responsibility for the lease terms. They pay rent to the same landlord and do not have the power to evict one another without involving the landlord.

  2. Subtenancy: The original tenant acts as the landlord for the roommate, receiving rent and being responsible for rental issues. The original tenant can typically evict the subtenant for misconduct. Subleasing usually requires the landlord’s permission.

  3. At-Will Tenancy / Guest Tenancy: This is an informal arrangement where either party can end the agreement at any time. The landlord may or may not have consented to this arrangement, and the roommate is considered a guest.

Lease Violations in Roommate Situations

Roommates, as co-tenants, are “jointly and severally liable” for the lease terms. This means that if one roommate fails to pay rent, the landlord can seek full payment from any of the co-tenants. If a roommate has not signed the original lease and the landlord has not consented to the roommate agreement, the original tenant is liable for any violations committed by the roommate.

Resolving Roommate Disputes in Rhode Island

In the event of a dispute, the lease takes precedence over the roommate agreement. House rules regarding shared responsibilities are generally not enforceable in court. Roommates may consider using a mediator or arbitrator for disputes not related to the lease.

Additional Information

A rental application is used to obtain a potential tenant’s employment information and consent for the landlord to conduct a credit check and verify character through personal and work references.

Statutes

FAQs

A Rhode Island roommate agreement is a contract among co-tenants that outlines the rules and financial responsibilities associated with sharing a rental property. It establishes terms for rent, utilities, security deposits, and house rules, ensuring all roommates understand their obligations.

Key components of a Rhode Island roommate agreement include the identification of all parties involved, the lease term, security deposit arrangements, rent distribution, utility payment responsibilities, rules for lease violations, house rules, and the division of shared spaces.

Co-tenancy means all roommates are on the same lease and share equal responsibility for the rental terms, while subtenancy involves one original tenant acting as a landlord to a subtenant, who pays rent to them. Co-tenants cannot evict each other, whereas the original tenant can evict a subtenant for misconduct.

In Rhode Island, roommates as co-tenants are jointly and severally liable for lease violations, meaning the landlord can pursue any co-tenant for unpaid rent or other lease breaches. If a roommate who is not on the lease violates terms, the original tenant is fully responsible.

If disputes arise among roommates, the lease takes priority over the roommate agreement. For disagreements not related to the lease, roommates may consider mediation or arbitration as a neutral way to resolve conflicts.

An at-will tenant or guest arrangement is informal and can be terminated by either party at any time. The landlord may not have agreed to this arrangement, and the original tenant can often demand the guest leave, but they must check the lease and local laws for specific rules.

Roommates should agree on how to split utility payments in the roommate agreement, specifying who is responsible for sending payments to utility companies. Clear communication and documentation can help prevent disputes over shared costs.

The roommate agreement should outline the process for a roommate moving out early, including any financial responsibilities and how to handle the security deposit. It’s important to discuss this in advance to avoid misunderstandings.