Before you start a rental agreement, download and print our checklist before the deal is agreed. This checklist ensures that you have discussed and agreed on important rental terms. Q: What is discussed in a housemate contract? A: Housemate agreements generally apply to the following: if everyone who lives in the apartment signs the lease, you have all the rental rights – and obligations. If a tenant causes damage to the property or is lagging behind when paying the rent, all other tenants may be held responsible. You may have to pay the debts if the defaulting tenant does not. Tenants and landlords who enter a roommate should also sign a rental agreement. Most states have provided a standard lease form by the State Government and we provide links to download these agreements for free on our state and territory guide below. The common law can only apply to an agreement to lease a room with common access to the facilities. It cannot apply to an agreement to lease an entire building (i.e. a house or an entire apartment). Q: Do I have to have the agreement signed in front of a witness? A: Most documents and contracts do not require a witness to be valid. However, it is preferable that the document be certified. A testimony document provides evidence that the parties were physically present when they signed the agreement, and all signatures are original.

Q: Are all “domestic regulations” and “domestic obligations” legally applicable? A: Parts of a roommate agreement are probably not legally applicable – for example, it`s unlikely a judge will order your roommate to clean the bathroom. However, judges will enforce financial agreements such as how the rent will be distributed. If one of the roommates did not pay his share of the rent on time, the other roommates could take legal action against the roommate and avoid a bad grade on his own credit balance sheet. Q: Should you have your owner`s forgotten pet to have a pet? A: Your rental agreement may specify whether pets are allowed on the ground. If the rental agreement is silent with pets, it is best to get your owner`s permission first before having a pet. If pets are allowed, you must give written consent to the owner for damage caused, including cleaning, insect/chips and/or odour removal in the first place. If you are a principal tenant, a separate written agreement means that the rules are clear and that all disputes with other tenants can be formally resolved. Q: Why do I need a written roommate contract? A: Members can enter into many informal agreements on rent sharing, shared use of tasks and payment of bills.

However, oral chords are too easily forgotten or misinterpreted. It is best to put your understanding in writing. The greatest value of writing a housemate agreement is that it forces you and your roommates to take your responsibility as a roommate seriously.