Adding Roommates

Adding Roommates

Affordability in Seattle can be an issue for many renters these days. You have a right to add roommates to your household to help with housing costs. If the new roommate joins you on the rental agreement, it means they will have the same rights and responsibilities that you do. 

If they are only named as authorized occupants, you will have responsibility for the rental agreement. It's wise to screen potential roommates carefully and do your due diligence before you let anyone occupy your home. What happens with the rental agreement is between you and your landlord. 

You must notify the landlord in writing within 30 days of moving a roommate in. The landlord can screen the new roommate using the same criteria they used originally to screen your rental application and charge the same screening fee. 

 Tenants can add to their household:        

  • Immediate family
  • One additional non-family roommate
  • Immediate family of the additional non-family roommate
  • Not to exceed applicable occupancy standard

Immediate Family is broadly defined to include: Spouses, domestic partners, former spouses, former domestic partners, adult persons related by marriage, siblings, persons 16 years of age or older who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship, and persons who have a parent-child relationship, including parents, stepparents, grandparents, adoptive parents, guardians, foster parents, or custodians of minors. For purposes of this definition, "dating relationship" means a social relationship of a romantic nature. Factors a court may consider in determining the existence of a dating relationship include: (a) the length of time the relationship has existed; (b) the nature of the relationship; and (c) the frequency of interaction between the parties.          

Screening and the Rental Agreement

Immediate family

(a) can be screened

(b) cannot be denied occupancy

(c) cannot be required to join a rental agreement (can be listed as authorized occupant)

Non-family roommate

(a) can be screened 

(b) can be denied occupancy based on screening 

(c) can be required to join the rental agreement with 30 days' notice

All original terms of the rental agreement remain the same.  The landlord cannot increase housing costs for added household members unless provided for in the rental agreement and proper notice compliant with the Rental Agreement Regulation Ordinance.

Renting in Seattle

Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA, 98124
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA, 98124-4019
Phone: (206) 684-5700
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The Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) includes permitting, construction inspections, code compliance and tenant protections, and rental housing registration and inspections.