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A Lodger Agreement is a legal contract between a homeowner and someone who rents a room in their home while the owner continues living there. Unlike a standard lease, this agreement gives the lodger fewer rights and typically allows the homeowner to maintain more control over shared spaces and house rules.

These agreements spell out key details like rent payments, access to common areas, and house policies. In most U.S. states, lodgers have fewer tenant protections than traditional renters, making these agreements popular with homeowners who want flexibility in sharing their primary residence. They're especially common in high-cost cities and near universities.

Use a Lodger Agreement when renting out a room in your primary residence while continuing to live there yourself. This arrangement works perfectly for homeowners looking to earn extra income by sharing their space with a lodger, especially in high-cost housing markets or near college campuses.

The agreement becomes essential when you need to set clear boundaries with your lodger about shared spaces, utilities, overnight guests, and house rules. It's particularly valuable for short-term arrangements or when renting to students, young professionals, or someone transitioning between homes. Having this written agreement helps prevent misunderstandings and protects both parties' interests.

• Month-to-Month Lodger Agreements: Offer maximum flexibility and easy termination with 30 days' notice - popular in urban areas with transient residents
• Fixed-Term Lodger Agreements: Set specific start and end dates, typically 6-12 months, providing more stability for both parties
• Student Lodger Agreements: Include specific terms about academic year timing, vacation periods, and study-friendly house rules
• All-Inclusive Agreements: Bundle rent with utilities, internet, and other services for simpler accounting
• Basic Room-Only Agreements: Focus solely on room rental with separate arrangements for utilities and amenities

• Homeowners: Individuals who own and live in their property while renting out one or more rooms to generate extra income
• Lodgers: People seeking temporary or flexible accommodation, often students, young professionals, or those new to an area
• Property Managers: Help homeowners draft and enforce agreements, especially in larger properties with multiple lodgers
• Real Estate Attorneys: Review or create agreements to ensure compliance with local housing laws and protect homeowner interests
• University Housing Officers: Often refer students to approved lodging situations and review agreement terms

• Property Details: Document room size, included furnishings, and access to shared spaces like kitchen or bathroom
• Financial Terms: Set monthly rent amount, security deposit, and payment due dates
• House Rules: List policies on guests, quiet hours, cleaning responsibilities, and shared utility usage
• Duration Terms: Decide on length of stay and notice period for ending the agreement
• Contact Information: Gather full legal names, current addresses, and emergency contacts for all parties
• Local Requirements: Check city-specific lodging regulations and required disclosures for your area

• Identification: Full legal names and addresses of both homeowner and lodger
• Property Description: Specific room details, shared spaces access, and included amenities
• Financial Terms: Rent amount, payment schedule, security deposit, and utility arrangements
• Duration Clause: Agreement start date, end date, and notice requirements for termination
• House Rules: Clear policies on guests, noise, cleaning, and shared facility usage
• Rights and Obligations: Maintenance responsibilities, entry notice requirements, and privacy expectations
• Signatures: Dated signatures of all parties, making the agreement legally binding

A Lodger Agreement differs significantly from a Lease Agreement, though they're often confused. The key distinction lies in the living arrangement and legal rights granted to the occupant.

• Occupancy Rights: Lodgers have fewer legal protections than tenants and can be evicted more easily, as they're sharing the owner's primary residence
• Property Access: Lodgers typically share common areas with the homeowner, while lease tenants have exclusive possession of the entire rental unit
• Legal Framework: Lodger agreements fall under different regulations than standard residential leases, with fewer formal requirements and more flexibility for the homeowner
• Duration and Terms: Lodger agreements are usually shorter-term and more flexible, while lease agreements tend to be longer-term with more rigid terms
• Privacy Expectations: Homeowners retain greater access rights with lodgers compared to formal tenants under a lease