{"id":14942,"date":"2021-12-01T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/content-manager\/?p=14942"},"modified":"2023-07-22T11:36:33","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T15:36:33","slug":"should-all-roommates-be-on-a-lease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/should-all-roommates-be-on-a-lease\/","title":{"rendered":"Should All Roommates Be on a Lease?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Renting an apartment is expensive, especially in larger cities like New York City<\/a> or Chicago<\/a>. Many prospective tenants decide to live with roommates so they can split the cost of rent and utilities. However, living with a roommate can pose many questions when it comes to signing the lease. First-time renters can continue reading to learn more about lease agreements with roommates and the benefits of signing a legal document with another person.<\/p>\n Renters can choose to live with roommates when they sign their lease<\/a>. The roommate lives in the apartment with the original tenant, and they will find an equitable rent split. Some roommates may split their rent evenly, or they may price each room and select which room they wish to live in and pay for. While \u201croommate\u201d is the colloquial term most people use to describe their living situation, a roommate is also called a co-signer<\/a>. Co-signers accept responsibility for paying the rent with the original tenant, and they will sign their name on the lease.<\/p>\n In most cases, those deciding to live with a roommate probably need to do so for financial reasons. However, it\u2019s important to consider the person you decide to live with. On the day-to-day, you\u2019ll want to select someone with a similar cleanliness style, and someone who you get along with. White, you and your roommate do not need to be friends, it\u2019s helpful to live with someone who you can exchange pleasantries with.<\/p>\n On the financial side, it\u2019s incredibly important to pick a roommate who you trust to pay their rent on time. This is where living with someone you know can be a benefit, as you\u2019ll have a better idea of their past renting experiences, their spending habits, and their overall reliability. However, some tenants may want to avoid living with people they know to avoid potential fallout from a roommate situation turned south.<\/p>\n When signing a lease, the landlord will present a document to all of the tenants, and ask for most of them to sign the paperwork. In most cases, all roommates will sign the lease together, and they will each have separate lines on a page. The roommate lease form looks the same for all roommates, and usually, each form will require the signatures of all the tenants in the apartment.<\/p>\n As the bedroom count and number of roommates increase, the odds of everyone signing the lease decreases. This is more common if multiple roommates will share a room. For example, in a three-bedroom apartment with four roommates, only three may sign the lease as a tenant. However, any additional roommates may sign the lease as an occupant. An occupant is a designated roommate who does not share the same rules and obligations as the tenants. If you\u2019re looking to build your credit score<\/a>, acquire a recommendation letter at the end of your lease, or build your rental history, signing the lease as a tenant is a good idea.<\/p>\n A property owner may limit the number of people on a lease to one or two more than the total number of bedrooms. A landlord would not sign five renters on a one-bedroom lease, but they may accept an additional one or two occupants. This situation can vary based on the number of people under the age of 18<\/a> who live in the unit.<\/p>\n While roommates may have already considered the pros and cons of living together, they should also remember the benefits and drawbacks of signing a document with others.<\/p>\n Upon signing the lease, every tenant accepts financial responsibility for paying the monthly rent. While you and your roommate might have each decided to pay $1,500 monthly on a $3,000 lease, you\u2019re ultimately responsible for ensuring the landlord receives $3,000 each month. Therefore, if your roommate is late on rent, this can affect your standing with the landlord and your financial well-being. You may need to cover your roommate or risk eviction<\/a>.<\/p>\n Signing the lease means that every roommate has the ability to live in the apartment. Therefore, your roommate cannot formally kick you out of the unit if you have a signed lease. This provides more protection than a verbal month-to-month agreement or sublet<\/a> scenario.<\/p>\n Additionally, each tenant who signs the lease will receive access to the landlord\u2019s services. If something in your room breaks or if your entire apartment loses heat when everyone else is gone, you will have access to the landlord and be able to receive services. In larger buildings with modern services, you will receive access to the digital communication platform that lets you submit tickets and directly message your super or property manager.<\/p>\nRoommates and Leases<\/h2>\n
Pros and Cons of a Roommate<\/h3>\n
Do All Roommates Have to Sign a Lease?<\/h2>\n
How Many People Can Be on a Lease?<\/h3>\n
\n
Pros and Cons of Co-signing a Lease<\/h2>\n
Responsible for Payment<\/h3>\n
Right to Live in the Unit<\/h3>\n
Sign a Roommate Agreement<\/h2>\n