Cohabitant

A cohabitant is a person who shares a living space, such as a house or apartment, with another individual or group of individuals, but is not necessarily married to or in a romantic relationship with them. The term emphasizes the shared residence, irrespective of the nature of the relationship between the occupants. Cohabitation can involve roommates, family members, friends, or couples. It often implies shared responsibilities for living expenses, household chores, and adhering to agreed-upon rules or norms within the shared dwelling. Legally, the rights and responsibilities of cohabitants differ significantly depending on jurisdiction, particularly concerning property ownership, inheritance, and tenancy agreements.

Cohabitant meaning with examples

• After college, Sarah and Emily became cohabitants, splitting rent on a two-bedroom apartment. They each had their own bedrooms, but shared the kitchen and living room. They established a shared chore list to maintain a clean and comfortable living environment for all the cohabitants. They also contributed a monthly utility budget and followed the set of rules established by the landlord regarding noise levels.
• The elderly couple chose to become cohabitants to reduce loneliness and share the costs of their retirement home. The couple had been friends for many years, so their transition to cohabitants was very smooth. They now spend their days taking walks and playing bingo together. They also enjoy the benefit of companionship from their other cohabitants.
• When John moved to the city, he searched for cohabitants to share the costs of housing, eventually settling with two coworkers. Because of their shared job responsibilities, the cohabitants were rarely home at the same time. The three cohabitants established a shared online calendar to coordinate schedules for shared appliances and bathroom use.
• A large family may have multiple cohabitants under one roof: parents, children, grandparents, and possibly extended family members, such as aunts and uncles. Because of the number of cohabitants, they needed a large house and had to establish a system for all of them to peacefully live together. The number of cohabitants had to be coordinated with the local city code.
• The landlord required all potential cohabitants to fill out an application and undergo a background check to ensure that they are responsible. After all applicants passed the background check, the landlord required each cohabitant to sign a lease agreement outlining the terms of tenancy, including rent payments, and rules for use of shared spaces. This gave the landlord assurance that each cohabitant would be reliable.