If you’re an incoming student at Texas A&M, you’ve likely already planned out who you’re going to live with. What you haven’t thought of, likely, is what the less glamorous side of having roommates in College Station will be like. For most freshmen, this is the first time they’ve shared a space with someone other than family. That’s where a Roommate Agreement comes into play.
How will you go about a conversation about a dish left in the sink for days? What about music blasting when you have a test the following morning?
At The Heights, we know that among the memorable, fun memories with your college roommate(s), conflict will ensue. That’s why we’ve developed this guide to how to write a roommate agreement before moving in to develop a shared understanding of how you both want to live together.
Read Next: Freshman Housing and Roommate Matching
What’s a Roommate Agreement?
A roommate agreement is a simple written document where you and your roommates spell out how your household runs, including chores, quiet hours, guests and bills. It’s separate from your actual lease. Your lease is between you and your property, while the roommate agreement is between you and each other.
It’s not legally binding the way your lease is and it’s not a contract you need a lawyer for. It’s a reference point. When something comes up, you can refer back to something you all agreed to back in August.
What To Put In Writing
The best agreements are specific. “Keep the place clean” means nothing because everyone’s version of clean is different. Here’s what’s actually worth specifying:
Chores and Shared Spaces
Who cleans what and how often? Rotate the bathroom and kitchen weekly, or assign zones? Decide who’s buying shared stuff like paper towels, trash bags and dish soap and how you’ll split the costs. A shared cleaning calendar in your group chat works great here.
Quiet Hours and Study Time
Aggies are busy. Between class, work and meetings, someone always has an early class or a group project due. Agree on general quiet hours, especially during finals when the whole apartment needs to study.
Guests
How many nights a week are friends allowed to come over before they’re basically acting like another roommate? Discuss these logistics so nobody has to have any awkward conversations later on.
Shared vs. Personal Items
Is the food communal or does everyone label their own shelf? Can someone borrow your car, your charger, your pan? Spell out what’s shared and what’s hands-off.
Temperature and the Thermostat
In College Station, summer is not a joke. Decide on a thermostat range so you’re not fighting over the AC in August.
Splitting Bills
Money is the number one thing roommates fight about, so handle it before moving in. Figure out which bills are shared (electricity, internet, streaming subscriptions, any utilities not covered in your rent) and how you’ll split them. Even splits are simplest, but if someone has a bigger room or their own bathroom, you might adjust.
Then pick one system and stick with it: a shared app like Splitwise, Venmo requests on a set day each month or one person paying the provider and everyone reimbursing. Any of these work as long as everyone’s clear on who pays what and when. Set a monthly due date to make this process easier.
Make It Official
You don’t need anything fancy. Create a shared doc, write out sections, have everyone add their input, read it and write their name at the bottom. Keep it somewhere you can all find it, like a pinned message in your group chat. Revisit it once a semester in case things change.
The right living situation makes all of this easier. At The Heights College Station, you’re set up close to campus with the kind of space and setup that makes shared living actually work. Once your roommate agreement is squared away, you can focus on enjoying your semester at Texas A&M.
Get matched, get it in writing and get ready for a genuinely good year. Interested in calling The Heights home? Contact our leasing team to check availability and find your spot for next year.
Bailey Harris
Bailey Harris is the Leasing & Marketing Manager at Rambler College Station. Born and raised in College Station, Bailey brings firsthand knowledge of the local community and Texas A&M area to help students find a place that feels like home. Outside of work, she enjoys watching a good show, soaking up the sun and trying fun new drinks around town.
Published On: July 10, 2026
Last Updated On: July 15, 2026