GFH: Roommates
Roommate Information
Roommates are only allowed in Tanglewood Village. There are requirements of students wishing to live together as roommates. Please read carefully, as there are many things to consider.
Roommate Terminology
Primary Resident: This term refers to the student who is the primary lessee and is contractually obligated to provide 60 days’ notice before moving out of the apartment.
Secondary Resident: This term refers to the student who is the secondary lessee and may or may not have a contractual obligation to provide 60 days’ notice.
Roommate Requirements
In order to have a roommate, the Primary Resident must meet the following conditions:
- Currently live in or have accepted an offer to live in a Tanglewood Village non-efficiency apartment.
In order to be a roommate, the Secondary Resident must meet all the following conditions:
- Apply to live in Graduate and Family Housing
- Meet GFH eligibility requirements
- Be the same sex as the Primary Resident
Frequently Asked Questions
How are roommates chosen or matched?
Roommates are not matched or chosen by the GFH staff. If a Primary Resident is eligible, he or she must decide whether or not they would like to have a roommate. It is then up to the Primary Resident to find a student who meets the qualifications to be the Secondary Resident. In short, residents must find their own roommate.
How will rent and electricity bills be handled?
After a Secondary Resident has been added to the contract, all subsequent bills (rent and electricity) will be split into equal parts and billed directly to both the Primary and Secondary residents. Bills that have already posted will not be split between the residents.
Can there be more than one Secondary Resident or Roommate?
No, there may only be one primary and one secondary resident in each apartment.
Can the role of primary or secondary resident be switched between roommates?
Yes. However, this can be complicated and is at the discretion of the GFH staff. For more information, please contactvillages@housing.ufl.edu.
What happens when the Secondary Resident wants to move out?
If the Secondary Resident wants to move out, he or she must inform the GFH staff by emailing villages@housing.ufl.edu. The resident will be responsible for rent and electricity each month they live in the apartment. He or she must also return all keys to the Village Office. Depending on the circumstances, the secondary resident may be obligated to provide 60 days’ notice so it is very important to contact GFH staff as early as possible.
What happens when the Primary Resident wants to move out?
If the primary resident wants to move out, he or she is obligated to provide 60 days’ notice before moving out. At this time, the secondary roommate has two choices. The secondary roommate may either move out at the same time as the primary roommate or he or she may accept full responsibility for the rent of the apartment including a new 60 day notice. This is another instance where it is very important to contact GFH staff as early as possible.
Can someone transfer from another Graduate and Family Housing apartment into a roommate situation?
It is possible, however the transferring resident would be consider as moving out and would need to provide 60 days’ notice to avoid excess rent charges.
Will both residents receive a key?
Both the primary and secondary roommates will receive apartment keys. Only one mailbox key is provided per apartment and it will be given to the primary resident.