Community Housing >> Renter's Guide >> Roommates

Living with Roommates

Roommates & Leases
Finding a Roommate
Choosing a Roommate

Roommates & Leases
Roommates who sign a lease together are jointly and severally responsible, which means that you and your roommates are held responsible for complying with all the terms of the lease individually and collectively.

So, if one roommate decides to move out or is unable to pay the rent, the other roommates are responsible for the total rent, not just their share. Remember, only the people who sign the lease are responsible for complying with the terms of the lease.

Questions to Ask Your Landlord

1. How should you pay the rent?
   Ask the landlord what their policy is (will they accept separate checks or one check for rent payments) and plan accordingly with your roommates.
2. How will the security deposit be returned?
   Ask the landlord how they will return the security deposit to each roommate on the lease.

Finding a Roommate
The Duke Community Housing database contains roommate ads submitted by students and individuals living in the area. To retrieve these listings -

1. Access the Find Housing section of this web site.
2. Select "Room/Roommate Search" option.
3. Select criteria and retrieve ads from the database.

Choosing a Roommate
You may want to discuss the following before agreeing to share a place to live with friends or prospective roommates:

1. Study Time
   Will you study at home? What time of day do you prefer to study? How much noise do you tolerate when studying?
2. Smoking, Drinking
   What level of smoking, drinking do you tolerate in your home?
3. Pets
   Are pets allowed by your lease? Are you allergic to cats, dogs?
4. Sharing space & personal items
   How will space be shared? What personal items can be shared, borrowed, or are off limits?
5. Guests
   How do you feel about overnight guests, boyfriends, girlfriends, long-term visits?
6. Parties/Entertaining
   How do you feel about parties?
7. Privacy
   What are your needs for privacy?
8. Quiet time
   What time do you go to bed? How many hours of sleep do you need?
9. Cleanliness/Cleaning Responsibilities
   Who is responsible for cleaning shared areas?
10. Payment of bills
    How are utility accounts set up? Who will pay the utility company? How will you divide the expenses?
11. Moving out
    Who will clean your home at move-out time? Will all the roommates be there at the end of the lease?
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