Room Rental Agreement Template

You are an experienced residential property manager and legal document specialist who has drafted thousands of room rental agreements for homeowners, primary tenants, and property managers across all fifty states. You understand that room rental situations differ significantly from standard apartment leases because they involve shared living spaces, common area usage, and interpersonal considerations that require clear boundaries and expectations. You know how to create agreements that protect both parties while fostering harmonious cohabitation, and you balance legal precision with accessible language that everyday people can understand and confidently sign.

I need you to create a comprehensive room rental agreement for the following situation.

The person renting out the room is [LANDLORD_TYPE:select:Homeowner who lives on the property,Primary tenant with landlord approval to sublet,Property manager on behalf of owner,Homeowner who does not live on the property] and their full legal name is [LANDLORD_NAME] with an address of [LANDLORD_ADDRESS] and contact information including phone [LANDLORD_PHONE?] and email [LANDLORD_EMAIL].

The person renting the room (the tenant) has a full legal name of [TENANT_NAME] with a current address of [TENANT_CURRENT_ADDRESS] and contact information including phone [TENANT_PHONE?] and email [TENANT_EMAIL?]. Emergency contact for the tenant is [EMERGENCY_CONTACT?].

The property address where the room is located is [PROPERTY_ADDRESS] in the state of [STATE]. The specific room being rented is described as [ROOM_DESCRIPTION] and includes the following furnishings if any: [FURNISHINGS?].

The rental term is [TERM_TYPE:select:Month-to-month,Fixed term of 6 months,Fixed term of 12 months,Fixed term with custom duration] beginning on [START_DATE] and ending on [END_DATE?] if a fixed term applies.

The monthly rent is [MONTHLY_RENT] due on the [DUE_DATE:select:1st of each month,15th of each month,Same day of month as move-in,Other specified date] with acceptable payment methods of [PAYMENT_METHODS:select:Cash or check only,Electronic transfer only,Any method acceptable,Specific methods listed]. The late fee structure is [LATE_FEE:select:No late fee,Flat fee after grace period,$25 after 5 day grace period,$50 after 3 day grace period,Percentage of rent after grace period] and any additional late fee details are [LATE_FEE_DETAILS?].

The security deposit amount is [SECURITY_DEPOSIT] with terms for deductions including [DEPOSIT_DEDUCTIONS:select:Standard wear and tear excluded from deductions,Any damage beyond normal wear,Unpaid rent and cleaning costs,Detailed deduction schedule to be included]. The deposit will be returned within [DEPOSIT_RETURN:select:14 days of move-out,30 days of move-out,Per state law requirements,Within 21 days as required by state] with an itemized statement of any deductions.

Utilities are handled as follows: [UTILITIES:select:All utilities included in rent,Tenant pays equal share of all utilities,Tenant pays specific utilities only,Utilities billed separately based on usage,Fixed monthly utility fee in addition to rent]. Specific utility arrangements are [UTILITY_DETAILS?] and the utilities included in rent if any are [INCLUDED_UTILITIES?].

The tenant will have access to the following shared common areas: [COMMON_AREAS:select:Full access to all common areas,Kitchen and one bathroom only,Kitchen and bathroom and living room,Limited common area access as specified]. Kitchen usage terms are [KITCHEN_TERMS?] and bathroom sharing arrangements are [BATHROOM_TERMS?]. The tenant is assigned the following storage and refrigerator space: [STORAGE_SPACE?].

Parking arrangements are [PARKING:select:No parking included,Street parking only,One designated parking space,Garage or driveway space included,Parking available for additional fee] with details of [PARKING_DETAILS?].

House rules for this rental include the following: Quiet hours are [QUIET_HOURS:select:10pm to 8am,11pm to 7am,No formal quiet hours,Custom quiet hours]. The guest policy is [GUEST_POLICY:select:Daytime guests allowed with notice,Overnight guests allowed up to 2 nights per week,No overnight guests without prior approval,Guests must be approved in advance,Reasonable guest privileges]. Smoking policy is [SMOKING:select:No smoking anywhere on property,Smoking permitted in designated outdoor areas only,No smoking inside and 25 feet from building]. Pet policy is [PET_POLICY:select:No pets allowed,Small pets allowed with deposit,Pets negotiable with prior approval,Existing household pets disclosed]. Additional house rules specific to this living situation are [ADDITIONAL_RULES?].

Common area responsibilities are [CLEANING:select:Shared cleaning schedule rotates weekly,Tenant responsible for own messes only,Professional cleaning included,Cleaning responsibilities as detailed below] with specific cleaning expectations of [CLEANING_DETAILS?].

The notice period required for termination is [NOTICE_PERIOD:select:30 days written notice,60 days written notice,One full rental period,Notice period per state law] for both parties unless otherwise required by law. Early termination conditions are [EARLY_TERMINATION?].

Additional terms, rules, or agreements specific to this arrangement are [ADDITIONAL_TERMS?].

Create a professional room rental agreement document that opens with a clear header identifying it as a Room Rental Agreement along with the effective date and state jurisdiction. Include a brief statement establishing that this agreement is entered into voluntarily by both parties and governs the rental of a room within a shared living situation.

Present the parties section with complete information for both the person renting out the room and the tenant, using appropriate terminology based on whether the person renting out is a homeowner, primary tenant with subletting rights, or property manager. Include contact information and emergency contacts where provided.

Describe the premises clearly, including the full property address, a specific description of the room being rented, any furnishings included, and a clear statement about which areas of the property the tenant has access to and which areas are restricted if any.

Detail the lease term section including the start date, whether the agreement is month-to-month or a fixed term, and the conditions for renewal. Explain how the agreement converts to month-to-month after a fixed term expires if applicable.

Present the rent section with the monthly amount, due date, acceptable payment methods, and the grace period and late fee structure if applicable. Include information about where rent should be paid or how electronic payments should be made.

Include a comprehensive security deposit section stating the amount, the conditions under which deductions may be made, the timeline for return after move-out as required by state law, and the requirement for an itemized statement accompanying any deductions from the deposit.

Address utilities thoroughly, specifying which utilities are included in rent, how shared utilities are split among occupants, the expected process for utility payments if the tenant contributes, and who holds utility accounts in their name.

Create a detailed shared living arrangements section that covers common area access and usage expectations, kitchen privileges including assigned refrigerator and cabinet space if applicable, bathroom sharing arrangements, laundry access and schedules, and any limitations on common area use during certain hours.

Include a house rules section covering quiet hours, guest policies including overnight guest limitations, smoking restrictions, alcohol policies if applicable, and pet policies. Address modern considerations such as expectations around work-from-home arrangements in common areas and video call etiquette in shared spaces.

Detail cleaning and maintenance responsibilities, including whether a cleaning schedule rotation exists, expectations for keeping personal and common areas clean, how cleaning supplies are handled, and the process for reporting maintenance issues.

Include a parking and storage section addressing any assigned parking, street parking rules, and storage space allocation within the property.

Add a termination section stating the notice period required from both parties, the process for giving notice, move-out expectations including cleaning and key return, and any early termination provisions or penalties.

Include standard legal provisions addressing the governing law of the state, severability of provisions, modification requirements, and a statement that this agreement represents the entire understanding between the parties.

Create a signature block with lines for both parties to sign, print their names, and date their signatures. If the person renting out is a primary tenant subletting with landlord permission, include a line for the property owner or manager to acknowledge and approve the sublease.

Close with an important notice reminding both parties that this document is provided as a template and general guide, that laws regarding room rentals and landlord-tenant relationships vary significantly by state and locality, and that both parties should consult with a licensed attorney in their jurisdiction to ensure the agreement complies with all applicable laws and adequately protects their interests before signing. Note that the person providing the room should verify any local requirements for rental agreements, security deposit limits, required disclosures, and habitability standards.

Format the document in a professional legal style with clear section breaks, consistent formatting, and adequate space for signatures. The document should be comprehensive enough to address the complexities of shared living arrangements while remaining clear and accessible to both parties.