I�ve heard that it is a good idea to have an agreement between tenants as well as an agreement with the landlord. Is this a good idea?

Having a separate written agreement between roommates can help in making issues clear. You can agree about things like responsibility for bills, how rent is to be shared, the possibility of reimbursing each other for a share of the security deposit if one tenant leaves before the end of the tenancy, and who is responsible for what chores in the house. You could also include general statements about respect for each other and privacy.

However, even though an agreement between roommates is a very good idea, the agreement is only as good as the people who agree to it. For that reason, you should make sure you are comfortable with the people you intend to live with before you enter into a legal relationship with them. Make sure they are able to pay rent, that their lifestyle is similar to your own, and that they are trustworthy.

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March 2006 More Renting a Place to Live FAQs:

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