When a roommate moves out: how to settle up fairly
When one roommate moves out, the confusing part is money and routine: the last month's rent, bill share, deposit, shared items and whether someone new is coming. Settle these early or the exit can turn into an argument.
Follow the steps below to close the accounts fairly, keep the home running and stay on good terms. Legal details depend on your lease and local rules, so this post is general information.
1. Notice and date first
The person leaving should tell the others, and the landlord if needed, as early as possible. If the lease or your house agreement names a notice period, follow it; otherwise one to two months is a reasonable expectation.
2. Settle rent and bills
- Last month's rent share: decide whether it is by days or the whole month.
- Bills: split up to the leaving day. Meter readings (electricity, water, gas) help.
- Shared costs: close the running balance for groceries and cleaning.
- Fixed costs such as building fees and internet: decide when the leaver's share ends.
For day-based bills use the bill split calculator, and see who owes whom with the debt calculator.
3. A worked example
In a three-person home Sam leaves on the 15th. Rent is $1,800, so $600 each, and the electricity bill is $120 for the full month.
| Item | Calculation | Sam's share |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (15 days) | $600 × 15 ÷ 30 | $300 |
| Electricity (15 days) | By days: Alex and Jordan 30, Sam 15 | 120 × 15 ÷ 75 = $24 |
| Shared groceries | Current balance | e.g. $8 owed |
Here rent was reduced by days, which everyone has to agree to. Many homes instead use a "full month's rent" rule. Either way, write the rule down in advance.
4. Deposit and shared items
- Deposit: The landlord returns it when you leave; the leaver's share can be paid by the new roommate and passed on, so the landlord isn't involved again. See moving out for details.
- Shared items: List what you bought together: what stays, what leaves, what is sold. Whoever paid gets their share back.
- Keys: Hand them back; talk to the landlord about changing the lock if needed.
5. Finding a replacement
- Talk to the landlord first: will the new person be added to the lease?
- Write an ad with the room, share of rent, rules and who you are looking for (ad guide).
- Go through the house rules and shared costs with the newcomer from the start.
- Record the handover (deposit share, shared items) in a written message.
6. Close it in writing
When every item is closed, everyone should agree on the same figure. Record it with a short message, or a payment confirmation in the app: "Accounts with Sam are closed; the final amount was this and it was paid on that date." In Ev Ortağım the leaver's balance is visible at the moment they leave and the payment is closed with both sides' confirmation, then stays in the history.
Frequently asked questions
How is rent calculated when a roommate leaves?
It can be by days up to the leaving date or the full month. Write down which one applies in advance to avoid arguments.
How does the leaving roommate get their deposit share back?
Usually the person replacing them pays that share, which is passed to the leaver. What happens with the landlord depends on your lease.
What happens to items bought together?
Make a list; either the leaver is paid their share of what stays, or the item goes with them. A rule agreed in advance is best.