Bringing a new roommate into your apartment can help with rent and household expenses, but it requires following the proper process. In Pennsylvania, you usually need your landlord’s written consent and a formal lease amendment to add a roommate. Skipping these steps can put your housing at risk. This guide outlines the key steps, from reviewing your lease to getting official approval.
Step 1: Review Your Current Lease
Before you do anything, read your lease carefully. Look for clauses about:
- Occupancy: Rules about who can live in the unit and limits on the number of residents.
- Subletting or Assignment: If the lease prohibits subletting or requires landlord consent for any new occupant, it is a binding requirement.
If the lease does not mention roommates, standard landlord-tenant law typically gives the landlord broad discretion to approve new tenants.
Step 2: Understand Local Occupancy Rules
Pittsburgh has its own city code that limits the number of unrelated individuals who can share a rental unit. The city allows no more than three unrelated people to live together in one housing unit, regardless of the number of bedrooms.
Check your current lease and your landlord’s rules before adding someone. If you exceed this limit, the landlord has grounds to deny your request, and bringing in an additional person without approval is a lease violation that can lead to eviction.
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Step 3: Request Permission from Your Landlord
Approach your landlord early and in writing. A verbal agreement is not legally sufficient. Your written request should include:
- The full name and contact information of your proposed roommate.
- Their proposed move-in date.
- A brief explanation of why you want to add them.
Offer to have the prospective roommate complete a rental application and consent to a credit and background check, as most landlords require this for approval. Being upfront and transparent about your roommate’s qualifications demonstrates responsibility and helps move the process forward.
Step 4: Formalize the Change in Writing
If your landlord approves the request, the change must be documented in a legal document, typically called a Lease Addendum or a Lease Amendment Form. This document is signed by you, your new roommate, and the landlord. It modifies the original lease to add the new roommate as a tenant or authorized occupant, establishing their rights and responsibilities.
Step 5: Understand Joint and Several Liability
If your roommate is added as a co-tenant on a joint lease, you are both “jointly and severally liable.” This means each of you is fully responsible for the entire rent, not just your share. If your roommate fails to pay their portion, the landlord can demand the full amount from you.
This is important: if you add a roommate without signing them onto the lease, you remain solely responsible for the rent and any damages to the landlord.
Other Things to Consider
- Rent and Security Deposit: Your landlord may request a rent increase to account for additional wear and tear on the property. They may also adjust the security deposit, but Pennsylvania law caps the total deposit. After the first year, the maximum deposit a landlord can hold is one month’s rent.
- Local Requirements: If you use a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, you must also notify your local Public Housing Authority and obtain their approval before adding a new adult to your household. Informing the PHA is a requirement to keep your voucher active and avoid losing assistance.
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Common questions about renting in Pittsburgh
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