How to Find a Roommate at MTSU (And Not Regret It)

A great roommate makes your apartment feel like home. A bad one makes it feel like a war zone. Here's how to find someone compatible — and set expectations early so you stay friends all year.

Where to Find Roommates

• MTSU Off-Campus Housing Portal — The university's official roommate matching tool at offcampushousing.mtsu.edu. Free for all students.
• Facebook Groups — Search for "MTSU Roommate Finder" or "MTSU Class of [Year]" groups. Most active from January through May.
• Friends of Friends — Ask around. Your ideal roommate might be one mutual connection away.
• Your Housing Community — At College Place, our team can help connect students looking for roommates in the same floor plan.

Questions to Ask Before Committing

Before you agree to share a lease, have an honest conversation about these topics:

• Sleep schedule — Are you a night owl rooming with an early bird? That's a recipe for conflict.
• Cleanliness standards — "Clean" means different things to different people. Be specific.
• Guests and significant others — How often? Overnight? This is the #1 source of roommate conflict.
• Noise and study habits — Do you need silence to focus, or can you work with background noise?
• Pets — Allergies, preferences, and who's responsible for pet care
• Shared expenses — How will you split groceries, cleaning supplies, and shared items?

The Roommate Agreement

It might feel awkward, but writing down a simple roommate agreement prevents 90% of conflicts. Cover these basics:

• Cleaning schedule (who does what, and when)
• Quiet hours
• Guest policies
• How to handle disagreements (talk first, don't let things fester)
• Shared vs. personal items in common areas

Keep it simple and revisit it after the first month to adjust anything that isn't working.

Red Flags to Watch For

• They can't keep a stable living situation (moved 3 times last year? Ask why.)
• They're vague about their financial situation or employment
• They dismiss your concerns or boundaries during the initial conversation
• They badmouth every previous roommate they've ever had

Individual Leasing: Your Safety Net

Here's the biggest reason to choose a complex with individual leasing: if your roommate situation goes south, you're not financially responsible for their rent. At College Place, each resident signs their own lease. Your roommate's problems don't become your problems — at least not financially.