{"id":369190,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/adding-a-roommate-to-your-lease.html"},"modified":"2024-05-30T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T21:00:00","slug":"adding-a-roommate-to-your-lease","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/adding-a-roommate-to-your-lease.html","title":{"rendered":"Adding a Roommate to Your Lease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Adding a Roommate to Your Lease<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Adding a roommate to your lease is the best way to bring a potential roommate into your rental unit. Roommates can help cover monthly rent and utilities and offer companionship. Although having a roommate is beneficial, you will likely need your landlord’s approval before a new tenant can move in.<\/p>\r\n

This FindLaw article explores how to add a roommate to your lease agreement.<\/p>\r\n

Check Your Lease<\/h2>\r\n

The first step in adding a roommate to your lease is checking your current lease or rental agreement<\/a>. Rental agreements cover short-term rentals, such as month-to-month tenancies. Lease agreements cover rentals for one year or more. Your lease agreement should tell you whether you can have a roommate. Look for a clause about occupancy limits to ensure adding a roommate won’t violate those limits.<\/p>\r\n

If your lease explicitly does not allow roommates, you risk eviction<\/a> if you attempt to move in a new roommate.<\/p>\r\n

Get Your Landlord’s Approval<\/h2>\r\n

The next step in the process is getting the landlord’s approval. Landlords have a right to screen prospective tenants, including a new roommate. Your landlord may subject your potential roommate to an entire screening process before approving their addition to the lease.<\/p>\r\n

The tenant screening<\/a> process can include the following:<\/p>\r\n