The Basics of Homesharing Agreements
When it comes to housing, whether you’re buying, renting, or subleasing, you usually sign a document to make the arrangement official. Homesharing is no exception!
At Odd Couples Housing, each roommate match completes a Homesharing Agreement before moving in together. The Homesharing Agreement outlines cost-sharing expectations and the duration of the arrangement, but it also contains other valuable information for Seekers and Homeowners.
Why a Homesharing Agreement?
One goal of the Homesharing Agreement is to formally spell out the terms of the homesharing arrangement. However, it serves another purpose: to help roommates understand their compatibility and clearly define their expectations for their time together.
The Homesharing Agreement was developed to encourage potential roommates to discuss the specifics of living together. In completing the agreement, some roommate matches realize they are more like-minded than they thought, while others might realize their needs might be better met through another match.
What to Expect
Now that you know the Homesharing Agreement’s purpose, you might be wondering what the document actually contains. Here are a few things you can expect to define in your Odd Couples Housing Homesharing Agreement:
- How long the Seeker and Homeowner plan to homeshare.
- How much money the Seeker will pay the Homeowner each month for shared expenses.
- How to organize a move-out at the end of the agreement.
- Preferences around sharing food and/or food expenses.
- Preferences around smoking, alcohol, drugs and firearms.
- Expectations and preferences around guests, quiet hours, and shared spaces.
- Expectations around respect and privacy in the roommate relationship.
Needless to say, completing a Homesharing Agreement is a very important part of the Odd Couples Housing matching process! It can guide Homeowners and Seekers throughout their time together as roommates.
A Recap of Homesharing Agreements
- What it Is
- -A starting point for Homeowners and Seekers to consider the terms of their shared housing arrangement.
-A platform to clearly outline preferences and expectations.
-A partial list of things that roommates should discuss before moving in together.
-An orientation point that Seekers and Homeowners can refer to over the course of their roommate agreement.
- What it’s Not
- -A legally binding document.
-A security deposit.
