Roommate Agreements For College Students
Moving into college is exciting…until you realize your roommate has a completely different sleep schedule, blasts music at 2 a.m., and thinks “cleaning” means shoving laundry under the bed.
That’s where a roommate agreement comes in. Think of it as a “mini peace treaty” that sets expectations before things get messy (literally).
What Is a Roommate Agreement?
It’s basically a set of guidelines you and your roommate make together about living in the same space. Not a legal contract, not something to stress about… just a way to say:
“Hey, here’s how we can not drive each other nuts this semester.”
What to Cover in a Roommate Agreement
Here are the basics most students include:
- Sleep & Quiet Hours
- Night owl? Early riser? Decide on quiet times so no one is pulling their hair out.
- Example: “Headphones after 11 p.m.”
- Guests
- Are overnight guests okay? How much notice should be given?
- Example: “Text me first if you want friends to stay over.”
- Cleaning & Chores
- Who takes out the trash, when laundry piles become a fire hazard, etc.
- Example: “We each clean our half weekly, alternate trash runs.”
- Shared Stuff
- Food, clothes, chargers… what’s fair game, what’s off-limits.
- Example: “Snacks = ask first. Chargers = okay in emergencies.”
- Study Time
- Agree on when the room is for focusing vs. socializing.
- Example: “Quiet study time from 7–9 p.m.”
Pro Tips for Roommate Agreements
- Write it down – printout our free roommate agreement
- Be honest but chill – don’t agree to something you’ll secretly resent later.
- Check in – revisit the agreement after a month. College life changes fast.
Download Your Free Printable Roommate Agreement
Why Bother?
Because small annoyances can turn into huge fights if you don’t talk about them. A roommate agreement keeps things clear so you can focus on classes, friends, and late-night pizza runs instead of passive-aggressive talks that gets an RA involved.
Final Thought:
You don’t need to be best friends with your roommate, but you do need to be respectful co-habitants. A roommate agreement makes that way easier.
