Transferring rent money to friend so they can write the rent check - could this be seen as a gift?

[jwallis]

If my friend and I live in a place that costs $4000 per month and the landlord (an individual) wants a single check, then every month I'm Venmo'ing or paypal'ing or doing a bank transfer to my friend for $2000, so by the end of the year it'll be $24000, well over the gift tax limit.

Will this result in red flags?  If I get audited, would the IRS be satisfied with seeing the transfers, our lease agreement, and the checks my friend writes each month?

I'd like to avoid getting audited at all, I've heard it's a huge headache.

Thanks!

[Bsch4477]

You should have no problem with your current activity and you are not giving a gift.