Housemate / Flatmate Agreement

Given the suggestion by the Australian Reserve Bank Governor for Australians to get a housemate to combat the housing shortage and resulting rental crisis, you may wish to consider entering into a Housemate Agreement with your housemates / flatmates.

Whether or not such an agreement would be legally enforceable in the courts is a matter for you to seek independent legal advice on, but such an agreement may look something like this sample:

Housemate Agreement

This Housemate Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into on [date], by and between the following individuals residing at [address]:

1. [Housemate 1]
2. [Housemate 2]
3. [Housemate 3]
4. [Housemate 4]

Collectively referred to as “Housemates.”

1. Rent and Utilities
   a. The monthly rent for the property shall be divided equally among all Housemates and paid by the due date as specified in the rental agreement.
   b. All utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet) shall also be divided equally among Housemates and paid by the due date.
   c. In case of a new utility installation, all Housemates will contribute to the setup costs.
2. Cleaning and Maintenance
   a. All Housemates agree to maintain a clean and tidy living environment. A cleaning schedule will be created, and each Housemate will be responsible for specific tasks on a rotational basis.
   b. Any damage caused by a Housemate will be reported immediately, and the responsible Housemate will cover the repair costs.
   c. Common areas, including the kitchen, living room, and bathroom, should be kept clean and accessible to all Housemates at all times.
3. Personal Space and Belongings
   a. Each Housemate’s bedroom is considered their personal space and should be respected as such. Knocking on doors and seeking permission before entering is expected.
   b. Housemates will respect each other’s belongings and seek permission before borrowing or using any items that belong to another Housemate.
4. Noise and Consideration
   a. Housemates will be considerate of each other’s need for peace and quiet, especially during sleeping hours.
   b. Parties or large gatherings will be communicated in advance, and all Housemates’ consent will be obtained.
   c. Noise levels will be kept to a minimum, particularly during nighttime hours and study periods.
5. Groceries and Shared Items
   a. Housemates may choose to establish a communal grocery fund. The fund will be contributed to equally by all Housemates, and groceries will be purchased collectively.
   b. Individual food preferences and dietary restrictions will be respected when purchasing groceries.
6. Guests and Visitors
   a. Housemates are allowed to have guests and visitors but must inform the other Housemates in advance.
   b. Overnight guests are permitted for a maximum of [number of nights] nights per month, subject to the consent of all Housemates.
7. Security Fund
   a. Housemates will contribute [amount] per month to a security fund.
   b. The security fund will be used to compensate Housemates for any breach of this Agreement that results in financial loss or damages.
   c. The decision to award compensation from the security fund will be made by a majority vote among the remaining Housemates.
8. Dispute Resolution
   a. In the event of a dispute between Housemates, the following procedure shall be followed:
   i. The Housemates involved in the dispute will attempt to resolve the issue through open and respectful communication.
   ii. If a resolution cannot be reached, a neutral mediator, agreed upon by all Housemates, may be sought to help facilitate the resolution.
   iii. If mediation fails or is deemed unnecessary, the dispute may be escalated to the appropriate legal channels, if required.
9. Termination of Agreement
   a. If a Housemate wishes to terminate their tenancy, they must provide a written notice of [number of days] days to the other Housemates.
   b. The departing Housemate is responsible for finding a suitable replacement and notifying all Housemates of the new arrangement.
10. Amendments to the Agreement
    a. Any changes or amendments to this Agreement must be agreed upon by all Housemates and documented in writing.

By signing below, the Housemates acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to abide by the terms and conditions of this Housemate Agreement.

Housemate 1: _____________________ Housemate 2: _____________________ Housemate 3: _____________________ Housemate 4: _____________________

Date: _____________________