A Texas roommate agreement enables all tenants sharing a residential rental property to establish the rights, duties, and obligations of each individual living on the property, even those who have not signed the original lease agreement with the landlord. Each roommate will be responsible for a portion of the rent and the security deposit, their share of the cost of utilities, and any other fees that the lease may require.

To create a harmonious living situation, the roommates will also negotiate other important terms such as pets, guest allowance, quiet times, cleaning duties, parking, common areas, and smoking rules. All the terms included in the agreement concern the roommates exclusively, and the landlord does not have to be involved. However, the provisions of a roommate agreement cannot contradict or interfere with the original lease agreement.