Roommate shared-costs & deposit agreement

Rent and bills are the easy part. The deposit — who paid what, and how it comes back when someone moves out — is where roommates fall out.

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Good for

  • Roommates splitting rent, bills, and a shared deposit
  • Recording who paid what into the deposit
  • Agreeing move-out and deposit-return terms up front

Not for

  • Your actual lease with the landlord (that’s separate)
  • Disputes that have become legal — seek advice

This isn’t your lease — it’s the agreement between roommates about how you’ll handle money day to day, and especially the deposit. Leases cover you and the landlord; they rarely cover "I paid more of the deposit, so I should get more back."

What to put in writing

  • The split — each person’s share of rent and bills.
  • The deposit — who contributed how much.
  • Bills — which are shared, and who’s responsible for paying each provider.
  • Moving out — notice period, and how the deposit is divided when someone leaves (especially if their share doesn’t match their contribution).

The deposit is the classic flashpoint. Recording exactly who put in what — and how it’s returned — prevents the move-out month from turning sour.

Agree it together

Describe the arrangement, everyone reviews and e-signs, each keep a copy.

Common questions

Is this the same as a lease?

No — your lease is between the tenants and the landlord. This is the agreement between roommates about how you split costs and handle the deposit among yourselves.

Start this agreement free →

Free to draft, send, and sign — no account needed to start.

Last reviewed June 2026. itsadeal.ai is a drafting helper for everyday, low-risk agreements — not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice.