SignSolú

Room rental agreement template: free in Word, or sign it online

Reviewed in October 2026

A room rental agreement is a contract to rent one bedroom in a shared home. It sets the room, the shared spaces, the rent, the utilities split and the house rules. Homeowners renting a spare room and housemates adding a new person both use one.

Use this templateDownload in Word

Ten documents free, no card. Signed by the owner or main tenant and the room renter.

Room rental agreement example, filled in with sample data
Example filled in with sample data

The full room rental agreement

ROOM RENTAL AGREEMENT

This Room Rental Agreement (the "Agreement") is made on [date] between [Owner or main tenant name] (the "Owner") and [Renter name] (the "Renter") for a room at [full address] (the "Home").

1. Room and shared areas

The Renter rents [describe the room, for example the back bedroom on the second floor], furnished with [list]. The Renter may use the kitchen, living room, laundry and [bathroom] shared with other residents.

2. Term

The Agreement starts on [start date] and [ends on end date / continues month to month]. Either party may end a month-to-month rental with [30] days’ written notice, or more if the law requires.

3. Rent

Rent is [amount] USD per month, due on the [1st] by [method]. A late fee of [amount] applies after the [5th], within the limits of law.

4. Deposit

The Renter pays a deposit of [amount], returned less lawful deductions with a written list within the time the law requires after move-out.

5. Utilities and internet

[Utilities and internet are included in the rent.] [Option: The Renter pays percentage% of electricity, gas, water and internet, within days of receiving each bill.]

6. House rules

Quiet hours are [10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.]. Overnight guests may stay up to [3] nights per week with notice to other residents. Smoking: [not allowed inside]. Pets: [not allowed / allowed as described]. Each resident cleans up after using shared areas, and common areas are cleaned on a [weekly] rotation.

7. Food and storage

The Renter has [one shelf in the refrigerator and one cabinet] for personal food. Shared items are [described].

8. Privacy and entry

The Owner will not enter the Renter’s room without [24] hours’ notice, except in an emergency or with the Renter’s permission.

9. Keys

The Renter receives [number] keys. Lost keys and lock changes caused by the Renter are paid by the Renter.

10. Damage

The Renter pays for damage caused by the Renter or guests, beyond normal wear and tear.

11. Subletting

The Renter may not sublet the room or let anyone else live in it.

12. General terms

This Agreement is governed by the laws of [state]. [If the Owner is a tenant, the Owner confirms that the main lease allows renting the room.] The parties agree to sign electronically.

OWNER OR MAIN TENANT

Signature: ______________________

Name: [full name]

Date: [date]

RENTER

Signature: ______________________

Name: [full name]

Date: [date]

What the template includes

  • The room, furniture and shared areas
  • Fixed term or month to month with notice
  • Rent, due date and late fee
  • Deposit and its return
  • Utilities included or split by percentage
  • House rules: quiet hours, guests, smoking, pets and cleaning
  • Food and storage space
  • Privacy of the room and entry notice
  • Keys, damage and no subletting

What you fill in

FieldExample
DateOctober 21, 2026
OwnerDiane Foster
RenterKenji Watanabe
RoomFront bedroom, furnished with bed, desk and dresser
Rent850 USD on the 1st, utilities included
TermMonth to month from November 1, 2026
Quiet hours10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Deposit850 USD

How it gets signed

  1. 1Choose “Use this template”, fill in the fields and read the full room rental agreement once more.
  2. 2Send it by WhatsApp or email. The other party opens the link on their phone without an account.
  3. 3They tap the brown bar at the bottom that says “Sign as …” and draw their signature with a finger.
  4. 4Everyone gets the signed PDF with its signature certificate. Anyone can check it at signsolu.com/verificar.

Before signing, each signer agrees to sign electronically. The screen links to the electronic signature disclosure the ESIGN Act asks for.

Your first ten documents are free and need no card.

For a one-off letter or form, you can also sign it online for free from a PDF or a photo of the paper.

What the law says

In many states a person renting a room in someone else’s home is a tenant with notice and deposit rights. Some states treat a renter who shares the owner’s kitchen or bathroom differently, with shorter notice rules. Check your state before you fill in clause 2.

If you rent from a landlord yourself, your lease may forbid renting rooms. Clause 12 asks you to confirm that you are allowed.

The ESIGN Act gives electronic signatures the same effect as ink, so owner and renter can sign from their phones.

Room rental or sublease

Use this agreement when the renter gets one room and shares the rest of the home. Use a sublease agreement when a tenant hands over the whole unit to someone else.

House rules prevent most fights

Most problems between housemates are about noise, guests, cleaning and food. Clause 6 and 7 settle them before anyone moves in.

  • Agree quiet hours that match everyone’s work schedule.
  • Set a guest limit so a partner does not move in by accident.
  • Write a cleaning rotation and post it in the kitchen.
  • Split shelves in the fridge and cabinets.

Utilities: included or split

Including utilities in the rent is easier to manage. Splitting them is fairer when use varies a lot. If you split, share each bill with the renter and give them a few days to pay their part.

A worked example

Diane rents her front bedroom to Kenji for 850 USD a month, utilities included. Quiet hours start at 10 p.m. and guests can stay three nights a week.

After six months Kenji gets a job in another city. He gives 30 days’ written notice, cleans the room and gets his deposit back within the state deadline.

Before the renter moves in

  1. 1Meet in person or by video and show the room and the shared areas.
  2. 2Check references from a past landlord or employer.
  3. 3Sign the agreement and collect the deposit.
  4. 4Take dated photos of the room.
  5. 5Hand over keys and introduce the other residents.

Common mistakes with room rentals

  • No written house rules. Each resident remembers the rules differently.
  • Utilities split by feel. Write the percentage or include them in the rent.
  • No deposit. Even a small deposit covers a lost key or a stained carpet.
  • Renting without the landlord’s consent. If you are a tenant, ask first.

When a housemate leaves

The renter gives notice in writing, cleans the room and returns the keys. Inspect the room with the move-in photos and return the deposit within the legal deadline.

Then fill in the template again for the next renter. Every room has its own signed agreement in your account.

Checklist before you send it

  1. 1The room is described so nobody confuses it with another.
  2. 2The shared areas and bathroom are listed.
  3. 3Utilities are included or split by a clear percentage.
  4. 4House rules match what the other residents agreed.
  5. 5You have your landlord’s consent if you rent the home yourself.

Send the agreement once these points are set. The renter signs from a phone, and the signed PDF goes to both of you with its certificate. Keep it with the move-in photos.

Before you sign

Other templates

Frequently asked questions

Is a room rental agreement signed online legally binding?

Yes. The ESIGN Act gives an electronic signature the same legal effect as a handwritten one. The signed PDF and its certificate show who signed the room rental agreement, when and from which device.

Does the renter need a SignSolú account to sign?

No. They open the link on their phone and sign with the brown bar at the bottom of the screen.

Can I download the room rental agreement in Word?

Yes. “Download in Word” gives you the full room rental agreement with no email and no account. You can print it or edit it and sign it here later.

Is a room renter a tenant?

Often yes, but some states treat renters who share the owner’s home differently. Check your state’s rules on notice.

Can I rent a room if I am a tenant myself?

Only if your lease allows it. Ask your landlord for written consent first.

Can several room renters sign one agreement?

Each renter should have their own agreement for their own room. It keeps rent and deposits separate.

Should the renter get a lock on their door?

It is common and fair. Note in clause 9 who holds a spare key and when it can be used.

Create a free account and send 10 documents