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The Ultimate Moving-In-With-a-Roommate Checklist

A practical checklist for moving in with a new roommate — from the apartment tour to signing your roommate agreement.

pen.sh Team ·
Moving boxes stacked in an empty apartment

Moving in with a new roommate is exciting — and a little stressful. This checklist covers everything from your first apartment tour to getting your roommate agreement signed so you can start your new living situation on the right foot.

Before You Sign the Lease

  • Tour the apartment together — both roommates should see the space in person
  • Discuss budgets honestly — share your actual budget, not just the rent (include utilities, internet, parking)
  • Check the lease terms — understand who is on the lease, subletting rules, and early termination penalties
  • Document the apartment’s condition — take timestamped photos of every room before move-in
  • Agree on room assignments — decide who gets which room (and whether unequal rooms mean unequal rent)

The Roommate Agreement

This is the most important document you’ll create. Do it before you move in, not after the first fight.

Your agreement should cover:

  • Rent split and payment dates
  • Utility responsibilities
  • Cleaning schedules
  • Guest and overnight policies
  • Quiet hours
  • Shared vs. personal items
  • Move-out notice period

The easiest way to create one? Use pen.sh. Describe your situation to the AI, and it generates a comprehensive agreement that you both can e-sign from your phones in minutes.

Move-In Day

  • Set up utilities in the correct name(s)
  • Exchange emergency contacts
  • Share Wi-Fi passwords and building codes
  • Do a joint walkthrough and note any existing damage
  • Discuss parking arrangements
  • Agree on a shared grocery system (split everything, buy your own, or hybrid)

First Week

  • Set up shared expenses tracking (Splitwise, Venmo, or a simple spreadsheet)
  • Create a cleaning rotation (or at minimum, agree on standards)
  • Discuss morning and evening routines to avoid bathroom conflicts
  • Exchange schedules so you know when to expect quiet time

Ongoing

  • Monthly check-in — a 5-minute conversation about how things are going
  • Review the agreement annually or when circumstances change
  • Create addendums for any new agreements using pen.sh

Don’t Skip the Agreement

25% of roommates report serious conflicts. A clear, signed roommate agreement prevents most of them. Get started for free on pen.sh — your first 10 documents cost nothing.

pen.sh is not a law firm. For complex legal situations, consult a licensed attorney in your state.