Does a house rules agreement replace our lease?

No. It sits alongside the lease. It does not change anyone's obligations to the landlord, and if it conflicts with the lease or the law, the lease and the law control.

What is the difference from a roommate agreement?

House rules cover daily living: noise, guests, chores and shared spaces. A roommate agreement also covers money, such as how rent, utilities and the deposit are split.

Who signs the house rules agreement?

Every occupant named in it. Each one has a signature line, so everyone has agreed to the same rules.

Can we change the rules later?

Yes. The agreement says amendments must be in writing and signed by each occupant, so a change applies once everyone has agreed to it.

What if someone keeps breaking the rules?

After written notice from the household, the others may ask that occupant to fix the problem within a reasonable time. Persistent violations may be treated as a breach among the occupants; the landlord's rights under the lease are not affected.

Are house rules legally binding?

When signed as an addendum or agreement, they create a written record of household expectations.

Can I change it after I unlock it?

Yes. You can correct key details on the preview page up to 3 times in the first 24 hours after unlocking, and you can edit the Word (DOCX) file yourself at any time.

House Rules Agreement Generator

Written household rules for people sharing a home, signed by every occupant.

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General-purpose template. Not reviewed for your state's specific requirements.

How it works

Three steps from blank form to a document you can sign.

Fill the guided form

Answer plain-language questions about the property, the people and the terms.
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What a House Rules Agreement is

A house rules agreement sets the day-to-day rules for people who share a home. It covers quiet hours, overnight guests, chores and shared spaces, reporting repairs and damage, safety and respect, and what happens when someone keeps breaking the rules.

The agreement LeaseCraft builds names the household and the address, and says plainly that the rules supplement any lease with the landlord: they do not change landlord-tenant obligations, and if they conflict with the lease or the law, the lease and the law control. It sets how occupants give each other notice - in person, by text or email, or by a note in a usual place - and asks them to raise disputes in a household discussion first.

Every occupant signs, so everyone has agreed to the same rules. For rent shares, deposits and moving out between roommates, a roommate agreement is the fuller document.

When to use it

Roommates are moving in together and want rules agreed up front.
A shared house keeps arguing about noise, guests or chores.
A landlord renting rooms wants written household rules for occupants.
A new occupant joins and should sign the existing rules.

What to have ready

You will need answers to these 5 required questions, spread over 2 steps. The questionnaire also has optional questions, and some answers lead to follow-ups. Your answers are kept in this browser for 24 hours, so you can come back and finish (how saving works).

Household
- Household address?
- Names of everyone living there?
Rules
- Do you want set quiet hours?
- Overnight guest policy?
- Which state is this document for?

What your House Rules Agreement includes

Household, address and relationship to the lease
Quiet hours, guests, chores and shared spaces
Maintenance, damage, safety and respect
Enforcement among occupants
Notices among occupants and disputes
Governing law, general provisions and occupant signatures

Why build it from your answers?

A blank form leaves you to work out what belongs on each line. The wizard asks for the facts your House Rules Agreement needs, builds the document from your answers, and lets you check the preview before you unlock the editable Word and PDF files. The preview is free, and the files come with a LeaseCraft membership ($2.99/month or $19.99/year).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about this document type.

No. It sits alongside the lease. It does not change anyone's obligations to the landlord, and if it conflicts with the lease or the law, the lease and the law control.
House rules cover daily living: noise, guests, chores and shared spaces. A roommate agreement also covers money, such as how rent, utilities and the deposit are split.
Every occupant named in it. Each one has a signature line, so everyone has agreed to the same rules.
Yes. The agreement says amendments must be in writing and signed by each occupant, so a change applies once everyone has agreed to it.
After written notice from the household, the others may ask that occupant to fix the problem within a reasonable time. Persistent violations may be treated as a breach among the occupants; the landlord's rights under the lease are not affected.
When signed as an addendum or agreement, they create a written record of household expectations.
Yes. You can correct key details on the preview page up to 3 times in the first 24 hours after unlocking, and you can edit the Word (DOCX) file yourself at any time.

Ready to create your House Rules Agreement?

Start free. Downloads are included with a LeaseCraft membership ($2.99/month or $19.99/year).

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