Co-living Agreement Template for England and Wales

A Co-living Agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities between people sharing a living space in England and Wales. It covers key aspects like rent payments, utility bills, shared spaces, cleaning duties, and house rules that all residents agree to follow. Think of it as a detailed roommate contract that helps prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.

Unlike a standard tenancy agreement, co-living contracts specifically address the unique dynamics of shared living arrangements. They can include everything from guest policies and quiet hours to kitchen schedules and internet costs. While not all co-living agreements need to be in writing under UK law, having one provides clear evidence of what everyone agreed to and makes resolving disputes much easier.

Use a Co-living Agreement when moving into any shared living arrangement in England and Wales, especially with people you don't know well. This agreement becomes essential before sharing rent and bills, moving in together, or joining an existing house share. It's particularly valuable in cities like London, Manchester, or Bristol, where house sharing is common.

The right time to create this agreement is before moving in together or when adding new housemates. Having clear terms from day one prevents common disputes about cleaning, guests, noise, and shared expenses. For houses with frequent turnover of residents, updating the agreement with each change helps maintain household harmony and protects everyone's interests.

• Basic residential agreements: Cover standard shared living essentials like rent splits, bills, and cleaning rotas - perfect for straightforward house shares
• Student co-living agreements: Include specific terms about academic year lengths, holiday periods, and study-friendly house rules
• Professional house share agreements: Focus on work-from-home policies, quiet hours, and meeting space usage
• All-inclusive co-living contracts: Detail services like cleaning, utilities, and amenities included in the monthly payment
• Short-term co-living arrangements: Tailored for temporary arrangements with flexible terms and clear exit procedures

• Tenants/Housemates: The primary users who live together and agree to follow the Co-living Agreement's terms for shared living
• Property Owners: Landlords who want to ensure their property is managed well by multiple occupants
• Property Management Companies: Organizations that oversee co-living spaces and enforce house rules
• Co-living Operators: Companies specializing in shared living spaces who use these agreements to manage multiple properties
• Legal Advisors: Solicitors who draft and review agreements to ensure they're fair and legally sound under UK housing law

• Property Details: Gather exact address, room allocations, and any shared spaces included in the agreement
• Financial Information: Confirm rent amounts, payment dates, utility bill splits, and deposit arrangements
• House Rules: List specific policies on guests, quiet hours, cleaning duties, and shared facilities usage
• Tenant Information: Collect full names, contact details, and move-in dates for all housemates
• Duration Terms: Decide on agreement length, notice periods, and replacement tenant procedures
• Special Requirements: Note any specific needs like work-from-home spaces or pet arrangements

• Identification Details: Full names and contact information of all co-living residents and the property address
• Financial Terms: Rent amounts, payment schedules, deposit details, and utility bill arrangements
• House Rules: Clear policies on shared spaces, noise levels, guests, cleaning duties, and communal facilities
• Duration and Notice: Agreement length, notice periods for moving out, and early termination conditions
• Dispute Resolution: Process for handling disagreements between housemates
• Signatures: Space for all parties to sign and date, making the agreement legally binding
• Governing Law: Statement confirming the agreement operates under England and Wales law

A Co-living Agreement differs significantly from a standard Tenancy Agreement in several key ways. While both deal with residential property, they serve distinct purposes in England and Wales' housing law.

• Primary Purpose: Co-living Agreements focus on relationships between housemates, covering shared living arrangements and house rules, while Tenancy Agreements establish the legal relationship between landlord and tenant
• Legal Standing: Tenancy Agreements are highly regulated under housing law and offer statutory protections, whereas Co-living Agreements are more flexible and primarily govern internal household matters
• Scope of Coverage: Co-living Agreements detail day-to-day living arrangements like cleaning rotas and guest policies, while Tenancy Agreements focus on property rights, rent, and maintenance obligations
• Enforcement: Tenancy Agreements are more readily enforceable in court, while Co-living Agreements often rely more on mutual cooperation and understanding between housemates