Roommate Contract

ROOMMATE AGREEMENT
This agreement is designed to help roommates get to know each other and to start opening the lines of communication on
topics that we know are important for successful roommate relationships.
Guidelines
1. The contract should be discussed and completed with all roommates present. It is suggested that your RA be consulted
on any items that are unfamiliar or where no agreement can be reached.
2. Be honest about personal differences, and be respectful of each other. Many roommate problems arise because the
other person doesn’t do things the way you are used to. To understand another person, you must first respect each
other’s differences.
3. Try to agree on a way to resolve those differences now, before conflicts arise. Communicate your needs and listen to
the other person as they communicate theirs.
Complete this agreement together. Keep one copy in your room. Give a copy to your RA.
PRINTED Roommate Names: _______________________________
_______________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Hall/Suite/Room : ___________________________
Date: ____________________________
Your rights as a residence hall student include:
The right to a clean and healthy environment.
The right to read and study free from undue interference or noise.
The right to sleep without disturbance.
The right to privacy and freedom from interference with personal activities.
The right to free access to your room without pressure or intimidation from your roommate.
The right to expect reasonable and cooperative use of room-shared equipment and materials (electricity, TV, stereo, space,
etc.).
The right to be free of any unnecessary emotional distress, discrimination, or harassment (physical, sexual, verbal, etc.).
The right to host guests with the expectation that the guest will abide by hall policies and respect the rights of the roommate
and other residents.
The right to have conflicts resolved in a timely fashion.
STUDY/SLEEP TIME
1. We plan to (circle one):
go to sleep early (before 11pm go to sleep later (between 11pm-1:30am) be up all night
Follow up Question: How will we work
things out different sleeping patterns
2. Our ideal sleeping conditions are: no noise little noise
somewhat noisy
we can sleep through anything
3. If one person is sleeping, what activities
are acceptable in the room
AND
no light
room lights on
a little
we can sleep through anything
4. What type of environment helps you
concentrate on your studies most
effectively (music or no music, others in
the room, etc.)
5. If one of us wants to study in the room
and the other(s) want to use the room for
social reasons how will we determine
who has preference or priority in the
room

USE OF BELONGINGS
1. What belongings (e.g. food) are okay to
share What’s not okay to borrow
without asking
2. What shared belongings do we have (e.g.
refrigerator, window fan) How will we
share them
CLEANLINESS & CLIMATE OF ROOM
1. We prefer to have our room (circle one): neat & organized neat but not perfect
clean but cluttered
not concerned with neatness
2. We will plan to clean our part(s) of the
room (circle one):
3. Who will clean what and when
every day once per week once per month other
4. How often will we take out the trash
5. At what temperature will we keep the
room
6. Are there particular things that either of
us are allergic to (i.e. dust, latex, etc.)
GUESTS/VISITORS/ROOM USE
Things to consider about the guest policy:
• The rights of a roommate supersede those of a guest in the room. If the roommate(s) is inconvenienced by the presence of a
guest, even if it is a time when guests are permitted in the building, the roommate should ask the host to have the guest leave.
• If cooperation is not obtained, a staff member should be contacted for assistance. The importance of this statement is to
communicate to all residents that guests do not have rights that are equal to or greater than the residents of the hall, including
the roommate who may not wish to have a guest in the room. This should assist in establishing rights and responsibilities
with regard to the visitation policy.
• The hall resident assumes the role of host or hostess and is responsible for the conduct of the guests. Unescorted guests may
be asked to leave the hall.
1. We want our room to be (circle one): full of people very social moderately social
quiet and reserved
we need privacy
2. How will each of us get enough time for
our self in the room without others
3. If one of us wants to study in the room
and the other(s) want to use the room for
social reasons how will we determine
who has preference or priority in the
room
4. We are comfortable with guests in the
room between the hours of At what
times is it NOT ok to have visitors in the
room
5. If we need time alone in the room with a
guest we will communicate this need with
each other in the following ways:
6. Are we comfortable with guests of the
opposite sex in the room Are we
comfortable with guests spending the
night in the room

7. If you are away for the weekend, may I
have a guest use your bed
COMMUNICATION
1. Where and how will messages be left if
someone stops by
2. How late is it okay for friends/family to
call
3. How will we communicate when
something is bothering one of us What
are your pet peeves
4. Any cultural practices you should be
aware of
5. If our room becomes dirty, smelly or
unsatisfactorily clean to any roommates
we will communicate with each other in
the following way(s):
6. If we are not comfortable with a
guest/significant other in the room this is
how we will communicate with each
other…
7. What happens if something is touched
without my permission
8. If any roommate in the room or their
guest in the room is violating an institute
policy we will…
9. How would you like to be approached
when conflict arises between you and
your roommate
10. How will you use this roommate
agreement to mediate conflict
11. What role will your RA play in conflict
mediation
12. What's the most important thing you
each want respected
Signed by (all occupants of the room):
_________________________________________ ______________________________________________
signature date signature date
_______________________________________ _______________________________________________
signature date signature date
Ask your RA about THE GOOD ROOMMATE GUIDE as a resource for you.