Q: Should I sign an agreement before sharing an apartment with strangers in NYC?
Posted by u/LeaseLogicNY • 22 minutes ago
I found two potential roommates on SpareRoom to split a three‑bed in Bushwick.
Is a handshake enough, or do I need a written roommate contract to protect myself if bills, damages, or move‑out dates go sideways?
Top Answer by Estay
Estay Housing Consultant | Resolved 600+ NYC roommate disputes through documented agreements
Short answer: always sign a roommate agreement. New York State treats co‑tenants as “jointly and severally liable,” meaning one person’s mistake can hit everyone’s wallet. A written pact spells out duties and gives small‑claims judges something concrete to enforce.
Step 1 – Determine Your Lease Role
Are all roommates on the master lease, or are you subletting a room? If you’re a named tenant, you’re on the hook for full rent if others bail. Subletters need the landlord’s written consent plus a clear sub‑lease term.
Step 2 – Draft Key Clauses
Your roommate contract should list: rent share, utility split, security‑deposit allocation, cleaning chores, guest policies, quiet hours, pet rules, and notice period for moving out. Include a clause that unpaid rent triggers Venmo repayment within 48 h.
Step 3 – Attach Inventory & Condition Photos
Insert a Google Drive link of timestamped apartment photos to show pre‑existing scratches or appliance wear. This prevents finger‑pointing when the landlord subtracts from the deposit.
Step 4 – Add Payment & Dispute Mechanics
Use a shared Splitwise or Estay Budget Board. Late fees kick in after three days to mirror the master lease. For disputes under $1 ,000, require mediation before court—cheap and fast.
Step 5 – Sign & Store Digitally
DocuSign or Estay’s free e‑sign keeps a tamper‑proof PDF. Email a copy to the landlord; many management firms now request roommate contracts for compliance files.
Step 6 – Review Every Six Months
Life changes—remote‑work schedules, new partners, or pet adoptions. Build an automatic six‑month check‑in to tweak clauses without drama.
✨ Quick Summary
• NYC law allows any roommate, but liability is shared.
• A signed roommate agreement protects rent, deposit, and peace.
• Include payment splits, guests, chores, and exit rules.
• Use e‑sign + photo inventory for evidence.
• Estay templates cut prep time to ten minutes.
Put it in writing now, and you’ll thank yourself when the Wi‑Fi bill arrives or someone’s cat claws the couch.
Bonus Tip: Require each roommate to carry renter’s insurance naming everyone as additional insured—cheap layer of liability coverage.
Pro Tip: If any roommate refuses to sign, treat it as a red flag and keep searching—commitment to paperwork equals commitment to bills.
Updated weekly • Reflects 2025 roommate‑contract best practices