Room Rental Agreement Template

What is a room rental agreement?

Renting out a spare room is one of the simplest ways to share housing costs, but living under one roof makes clear terms even more important. A room rental agreement records which room is let, which shared spaces the tenant may use, how much rent is due and when, whether there is a deposit, how bills are split, the house rules, and how much notice either of you must give to end it.

This template is for a home owner, or a main tenant, renting a single room in a home they live in or control. It can be rolling month to month or for a fixed term, with rent paid monthly, every four weeks or weekly. It covers the deposit (or none), bills — included, shared or paid separately — standard tenant responsibilities plus your own house rules, the landlord's repair and privacy duties, notice to end, and moving out. It also says plainly that local tenancy and lodging laws apply alongside it. Both of you sign and initial every page.

When to Use a room rental agreement

• A home owner taking in a lodger in a spare bedroom
• A main tenant renting a room to a housemate (where their own lease allows it)
• A student house where one person holds the lease and rents rooms to others
• A short fixed-term let to someone on a work placement or contract
• Putting an informal arrangement with an existing housemate in writing

What You Fill In

22 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: landlord, tenant.

What the room rental agreement Covers

1. The room and shared areas
2. Term
3. Rent
4. Deposit
5. Deposit
6. Bills
7. House rules
8. The Landlord's responsibilities
9. Ending the agreement
10. General

Using the room rental agreement, step by step

1 Describe the home and the room

Enter the address, which room is let — "the front double bedroom on the first floor" — and whether it is furnished. List the shared areas the tenant may use, and any parking or storage.

2 Set the term and notice

Choose rolling month to month or a fixed term with an end date, and the notice either side must give. During a fixed term, notice cannot end the agreement early unless you both agree or the law allows it; if the tenant stays on afterwards with your agreement, it becomes month to month. Local law may require a longer notice period than you choose, and the agreement defers to it.

3 Enter rent, deposit and bills

Set the rent, how often it is paid, the due date and how it is paid. Add a deposit or leave it empty for none. Say whether bills are included, shared or paid separately, and give the details — for example which bills are included or a fixed monthly contribution.

4 Add house rules and send

List your house rules one per line — smoking, quiet hours, guests, pets. Enter the governing law, send it to the tenant, and both of you sign and initial. The signed copy is filed in Files.

Tips Before You Send It

• If you rent the home yourself, check that your lease allows you to take in a lodger or sublet before you sign — and tell your landlord if it requires consent.
• Tell your mortgage lender and home insurer about the lodger if your terms require it.
• Some places require deposits to be protected in a scheme or held in a particular way, and set rules on notice, rent increases and eviction. Check the rules where the home is.
• Do a move-in check with photos of the room's condition, and keep a copy with the agreement — it makes deposit deductions much easier to agree.
• Income from renting a room may need to be declared for tax. Check what applies to you.

Room rental agreement: frequently asked questions

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This template is a general starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ between countries and states — have a lawyer review the agreement for your situation before you rely on it. Page last reviewed 2026-09-29.