ROOMMATE LAWS
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In most states, there are no specific
"roommate laws".
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WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE ROOMMATES?
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You and another person need a place to live-
and you can't or don't want to do it (live or pay rent) alone.
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It may be your best friend. It may be your fiancé.
It may be someone you just met on craigslist. It may be your new dorm room at
college - or in your mother's basement.
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ROOMMATE AGREEMENTS
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Before you and your roommate(s) find a place or one moves in with the other, you
MUST AGREE to terms of the agreement.
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FOR EXAMPLE:
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1. If you are moving into a new rental, are you both going to sign the lease
with the landlord? If not, you must have an roommate agreement specifying who is
making the deposit - and if one of you should leave or not pay rent - you must
take that into consideration.
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2. You must agree to the "rules" of living together.
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3. Who gets what room
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4. Guests - how permanent, how many and should you then pay extra if the
boyfriend or girlfriend "moves in"and uses your food, water, heat etc.
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5. It's hard enough being married and being legally bound.
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6. When you move in with another person or a group
of people- everyday is different. Be prepared. I don't care if it's your
best friend, girlfriend, mother, brother, stranger - you are SHARING with
another person and their immediate circle. So consider a roommate agreement.
Maybe test the agreement out for 30, 60 or 90 days.
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7. Ask yourself- if they don't pay the rent,
then what? You can do a Tenant Screening Report at
http://rentlaw.mysmartmove.com
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8. Review your state landlord tenant law. In most cases, there are no specific
roommate laws.
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9. ALL ROOMMATE SHOULD BE ON
THE LEASE AGREEMENT. That way, everyone is "responsible" for
the lease and in most cases, the acts of the others as to the rules in the
lease. In many local communities, rental properties must be registered and
a fee paid. They may ask for a list of all tenants.
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10. RENTERS INSURANCE - you should each have renters
insurance. Details.
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