Adding a Roommate to the Rental Agreement

Roommate selection can be difficult enough, but adding a roommate to your rental agreement puts you in an even more awkward position for finding your roommate, and then persuading the front office to allow him onto the lease. Typically, your lease agreement will only provide for those signing the lease at the beginning of the lease term with no provision for change. And, anytime you’re about to create more work for the leasing office you’d better have plan in place that will get the results you want.

Resolve Issue by Speaking to Landlord

Perhaps your roommate did not work out, took off on you, or some unforeseen circumstance has put you in a position that could prove costly, or even threaten your lease. If you have the luxury of time, or you already have a compatible roommate ready to go, then you’re in very good shape.

How to Add New Roommate to Rental Agreement

1. Immediately speak with your landlord to let him know of the circumstances. Avoid sob stories or long notes explaining your victimhood and get to the point. Landlords have heard it all and will more likely respect an honest, short account of your situation. If your new roommate is respectable, that will speak for itself. Get him into the office, dressed to impress, and make a case that there will be no interruption of rental payment, deposit, fees, etc.

2. Have the new roommate ready to fill out the application and pay any necessary fees immediately.

3. Have the roommate provide as much information possible to show that the addition to the lease is a minimal risk for your landlord. Credit reports, criminal background reports, bank statement, and pay stub information will be useful and if you have it on hand, it will allow your process to go that much more quickly.

4. Clear up any unpaid debt if it exists. Your new roommate may incur additional costs, or your rental rate may be increased through fees just for the convenience of changing your lease. Make sure to find out exactly what costs are necessary.

5. Be willing to sign an appropriate lease addendum guaranteeing that your new roommate will adhere to the new lease. A financial guarantee from you may be necessary for your landlord to accept the change.

Make Sure the New Roommate Is Right for Apartment

Hopefully you already have someone in mind who is a good match for you and the apartment environment. In the end, your landlord may be more concerned that your roommate swapping does not become a habit. Financial security, a good application, and the fact that you put forth a well planned effort will all assist in changing your rental agreement.